It is the main component of traditional holistic therapy, and is widely used in Ayurveda to control blood sugar level, detoxify liver, increase energy and promote digestion.
Chinese medicine once used cinnamon as a part of medicinal beverage, which can improve heart health, relieve pain and promote blood flow in the body. Here are some scientifically proven health benefits of cinnamon.
1. Cinnamomum cassia has effective antioxidant capacity.
Free radical is a loose and unstable molecule, which can cause oxidative stress, damage cells, and lead to cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and other diseases. Cinnamon contains bioactive compounds and is rich in antioxidants, which helps to reduce the oxidative stress of human body.
Studies show that the antioxidant capacity of Cinnamomum cassia is the highest in Lauraceae. All forms of active compounds in cinnamon, especially extracts, have been proved to have antioxidant properties and may be beneficial to human health.
Another study on the antioxidant effect of spices, especially cardamom and cinnamon, shows that these spices can enhance the antioxidant effect by activating antioxidant enzymes.
A large number of studies support that cinnamon can enhance the power of antioxidant enzymes and resist the damage of free radicals. Cinnamon shows the highest antioxidant capacity in its family because it contains powerful bioactive compounds.
2. Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory effect.
Inflammation is the defense mechanism of human immune system to prevent microbial and foreign body infection. But when the immune system triggers an inflammatory response without any disease, the body is very fragile.
Cinnamon contains active flavonoids, which may have anti-inflammatory effect. Can effectively relieve pain and prevent various diseases. Studies have shown that bioactive compounds in cinnamon, especially cinnamaldehyde, may be effective in relieving inflammation.
In sports, intense sports can lead to muscle injury or soreness of athletes. In a special study on Iranian female athletes, the combination of cinnamon and ginger extracts can significantly reduce muscle soreness.
Abstract: The bioactive compounds in cinnamon may have profound anti-inflammatory effect, which may help to relieve pain and inflammation. Studies also show that athletes can relieve muscle pain caused by high-intensity exercise by supplementing cinnamon.
Cinnamon can reduce the risk of heart disease.
Blood pressure and cholesterol levels are considered as risk factors for heart disease. Cinnamon has been studied because it can prevent these risks and improve heart health.
Studies have shown that eating cinnamon has a positive effect on blood lipid levels, which can effectively reduce the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein.
Another study on arrhythmia in mice showed that cinnamon, which has antioxidant capacity, has protective effect on cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Summary: Scientific research has proved that cinnamon has the effect of lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Antioxidant compounds in cinnamon have been proved to have protective effects and can prevent atherosclerosis and other heart diseases.
4. Cinnamon can reduce insulin resistance
Insulin is a pancreatic hormone, which can regulate blood sugar level and store it for later use. When body cells do not respond to this hormone, insulin resistance will occur, which will lead to diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Studies have proved that cinnamon can reduce insulin resistance in the body.
Scientific research shows that the compounds in cinnamon may help to alleviate the symptoms of metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes.
In a 40-day study, as long as you eat 1-6 grams of cinnamon every day, you can significantly improve the fasting blood glucose level, glucose tolerance and reduce insulin resistance.
Studies on animals show that cinnamon extract can enhance the insulin signaling pathway in skeletal muscle, thus increasing the absorption of glucose.
Conclusion: Cinnamon compounds may help to reduce insulin resistance and prevent symptoms that may lead to metabolic syndrome. Cinnamon extract has been proved to enhance insulin signaling pathway and increase the absorption of glucose by skeletal muscle.
Cinnamon can reduce the risk of diabetes.
Diabetes is due to insulin resistance or insufficient insulin secreted by pancreas, which leads to the inability of human body to use glucose in blood. Cinnamon, which has been scientifically proved to reduce insulin resistance, has also been studied to prevent or treat diabetes.
Many studies have shown that cinnamon can have a positive effect, especially on postprandial blood sugar levels.