From the old days of Egypt to the modern times this tropical evergreen tree has charmed the world. In those ancient days, cinnamon was considered even more valuable than gold!
Today the smell of cinnamon may bring back memories of Christmas, your mother’s sweets, or you might just be an adept to the sticky buns of the coffee shop near by, but just wait until your read the interesting facts about this underrated spice!
Did you know that there are species of cinnamon trees that are beneficial to your health and other that you must touch with moderation? In this article I will help you identify which type of cinnamon is right for you. I will also list some incredible benefits of including cinnamon in your daily diet and surprise you with attributes that no one ever suspected.
Your attraction to cinnamon is without a doubt its aroma. Among the 50 to 250 varieties of these great aromatic trees, the most popular are Cinnamomum Cassia and Cinnamomum Zeylanicum known as Ceylon cinnamon. Very similar in many ways the cassia is grown in Indonesia but does not have the same health benefits as Ceylon cinnamon. The Cassia is warned, in fact, to have a high level of coumarin a compound that can inflamed the liver of sensitive individuals. A condition not irreversible but the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BFR) has regulated the use of cassia for tolerable daily intake (TDI). It is limited to 2 milligrams per kilogram food. It can also react negatively with the blood thinning drug Coumadin. It is important to know the distinction between the Cassia cinnamon and the Ceylon cinnamon as the first one is often sold as plain cinnamon in our grocery store. It is cheaper and more widely used. True cinnamon, as Dr. David Williams the author of Alternatives calls it, is grown in Ceylon now called Sri Lanka. Ceylon cinnamon has a lighter colour to it, if bought as cinnamon sticks look for several thin layers of bark rolled up together rather than one large thick bark rolled up. It is known also to have a sweeter honey taste and does not have the impediment of high levels of coumarin but provides a large list of documented health benefits.
CASSIA CINNAMON CEYLON CINNAMON
It has the power of warming you up, activating your blood circulation.
It lowers blood sugar levels which is a plus for those struggling with diabetes.
It has anti-inflammatory properties.
It is effective in fighting yeast infection—anti-fungal.
It is known to be anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic.
It is also helpful for stomach ulcers.
It has been proven to lower LDL the “bad” cholesterol.
It has even been used for head lice.
It is a source of manganese, iron, dietary fibers and calcium a great combination for preventing colon diseases.
But to top it up here are a few items that are surprisingly fun to know.
Apparently just smelling cinnamon can improve your memory, a very good thing for students facing long hours of study before a test. It also can help those of us who are growing older.
A warming food, cinnamon, fires your central nervous system and boosts your metabolism. Therefore your fat-burning mechanism is on high and supports you to have high level of energy which helps you be more active and loose more weight.
Also Dr. Daniel Amen in his relationship program on Television Network said that cinnamon does to men what chocolate does to women. This is something not to be ignored. Cinnamon sets the mood for closeness. You then benefit by activating the neurotransmitter oxytocin, which is responsible for the human experience of bonding and connection.
With all that in mind remember to find Ceylon cinnamon instead of the most regularly found Cassia cinnamon. As you start to include more cinnamon in your diet (1teaspoon/day) avoid buying foods with cinnamon that are highly processed as your body does not benefit from it. I recommend purchasing small amounts to sprinkle on your yogurt, oatmeal or hot beverages for best results!
If you have found this useful, spread the word!
Disclaimer: Please understand that I am a Nutritionist focusing on sharing health and preventive information. It is my hope that people take a proactive approach to their well-being. I am not providing here any medical advice of any type to anyone. And please consult your doctor before doing any changes to your diet or supplementation.
For more information on cinnamon:
http://www.bfr.bund.de/cd/8487
Photo credit: Crambreenotes.com, Coloneltiki.com, WHFooods.com
Great article Angele! I had no idea about the different types of cinnamon but will keep an eye out going forward for ceylon!
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