Thel's Blog On Spices

A LOOK AT CINNAMON

INTRODUCTION

Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the branches of wild trees that belong to the genus "Cinnamomum" which is native to the Caribbean, South America, and Southeast Asia. It is one of the oldest and most popular spice, and has been used for millennia both for its flavoring and medicinal qualities. It has been consumed since 2000 BC in Ancient Egypt, where it was very highly prized. Sri Lanka is the major cinnamon producing country in the world and it controls 60% of the world cinnamon trade.

There are TWO MAIN TYPES of cinnamon and these are:

1.      Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), often considered to be "true cinnamon" and comes principally from Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Brazil and the Caribbean.

2.   Cassia Cinnamon or Chinese Cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticum), which originates from Southern China and is typically less expensive than Ceylon cinnamon. It can also be found in Asian countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan and Korea.

Cinnamon Sticks and Powdered Cinnamon

Due to the fact that Ceylon Cinnamon is very expensive and more difficult to find, Cassia cinnamon is widely used in the preparation of both savory and sweet meals and valued for its medicinal purposes.

What To Note About The Two Types Of Cinnamon

Ceylon Cinnamon is Sweeter, lighter and more refined than cassia. Besides flavor, the most important distinction between the two spices, however, is in their levels of COUMARIN, a natural compound that acts as a blood thinner when ingested. Cassia has much higher levels of COUMARIN than Ceylon cinnamon.  Patients on blood thinners such as warfarin (trade name Coumadin) are often advised to limit their intake of cinnamon, but this generally applies to cassia and not necessarily Ceylon.

Blood thinners are substances that prevents or reduces the coagulation of blood, prolonging the clotting time. These are normally Known as anti-coagulants and examples include warfarin and heparin.

Both types of cinnamon are excellent sources of the trace mineral MANGANESE which is an important activator of enzymes essential to building healthy bones as well as other physiological processes, including carbohydrate and fat metabolism. They are also both very good sources of dietary fiber, iron and calcium. The combination of calcium and fiber is thought to be helpful in reducing the risk of colon cancer, lowering cholesterol levels and relieving constipation or diarrhea.

Botanical Description

Cinnamon is a small evergreen tree, 10–15 m tall. The bark is used widely as a spice. The leaves are ovate-oblong in shape, 7–18 cm long. The flowers, which are arranged in panicles, have a greenish colour and have a rather disagreeable odour. The fruit is a purple 1-cm berry containing a single seed. Cinnamon is available in two main forms which are cinnamon sticks and powdered cinnamon.

Uses of Cinnamon

1.     It can be used as a natural food preservative.

2.     It can be added to baked foods such as cakes and biscuits

3.     Cinnamon sticks can be put into drinking water and taken throughout the day. It can also be used in teas and various desserts.

4.     It can also be used to sweeten recipes without added sugar because of its sweet taste.

5.     Cinnamon oil extract is widely used to make body care products such as soaps, lotions and perfumes.

Some Products of Cinnamon

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CINNAMON

Modern research indicates that cinnamon may have some beneficial health properties. However, it is important to recognize that more research and evidence is needed before we can say conclusively that cinnamon has these health benefits. Also, researchers have found out that out of twenty-six of the most popular HERBS and medicinal spices in the world, cinnamon actually ranks #1 in terms of its protective ANTIOXIDANT levels and have concluded that the health benefits of cinnamon can be obtained in the form of its pure bark, essential oils, in ground spice form (which is bark powder), or in extract form when its special phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidants are isolated.

1.     High Source of Anti-oxidants

Presence of oxidative stress in the body increases a person’s risk of brain disorders, cancers, cardiovascular diseases and other conditions. Cinnamon is packed with a variety of protective antioxidants called polyphenols, phenolic acid, and flavonoids that reduce free radical damage and slows the aging process. These compounds aid in fighting many forms of oxidative stress in the body and limits nitric oxide build up in the blood.

2.     Contains Anti-inflammatory Properties

 Antioxidants in cinnamon have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, brain function decline, etc. These are highly effective at fighting dangerous inflammation levels throughout the body. Because cinnamon lowers swelling and inflammation, it can be beneficial in pain management, with studies showing that cinnamon helps to relive muscle soreness, Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) pains, severity of allergic reactions, and other age-related symptoms of pain.

CINNAMON TEA

3.     Help Defend Against Cognitive Decline & Protect Brain Function

Research also shows that another benefit of cinnamon’s protective antioxidant properties is that they can help defend the brain against developing neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. One way cinnamon protects cognitive function and brain health is by the activation of neuro-protective proteins that protect brain cells from mutation and undergoing damage. This further reduces the negative effects of oxidative stress by stopping cells from morphing and self-destruction.

4.     Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

Cinnamon has been shown to normalize blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics by improving the ability to respond to insulin. It does so in part by slowing the rate at which the stomach empties after eating as evidenced by a study in which people ate about a cup of rice pudding with and without about a teaspoon of cinnamon. Adding the cinnamon slowed the rate the stomach emptied from 37% to 34.5% and significantly slowed the rise in blood sugar levels. Even less than a half of a teaspoon a day reduces blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. It has also been shown to help control sugar levels in patients with type 1 diabetes.

DESSERTS MADE WITH CINNAMON

5.     Lowers Blood Cholesterol Levels

Cinnamon has been proven to help manage Dyslipidemia and it does this by reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) and increases HDL (good cholesterol). Diabetics can also reduce their risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease by consuming even one daily gram (about 1/3 teaspoon) of cinnamon.

Other Health Benefits of Cinnamon

1.     Controls blood pressure levels

2.     Improves digestion

3.     Fights viruses and infections

4.     Boost memory and immune system

5.     Improves skin and heart health

6.     Improves dental health and freshens breath naturally

A little bit of cinnamon goes a long way, and its antioxidant abilities are what makes it especially beneficial to include in your diet. As little as half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily can have positive effects on blood sugar levels, digestion, immunity, etc. For people without medical conditions, cinnamon goes a long way to improve and maintain a healthy life. Cinnamon is available worldwide in various shops, supermarkets and malls. Take food adulteration into consideration and shop wisely. Make sure you always buy your cinnamon from trusted persons and store in a cool dry place.

Use Cinnamon Daily!