Cinnamon is a beloved spice found in countless homes across the country — as well as on thousands, if not millions, of sticky buns. It’s used as a common flavoring for food.
But, did you know it can provide significant health benefits to those who consume it regularly?
Assuming, of course, that you get the right kind of cinnamon.
The health benefits of cinnamon are in addition to the rich, sweet, comforting flavor it offers your favorite foods and beverages. But if you aren’t big on cooking your own food, though, Ceylon cinnamon capsules can be taken as an alternative to using Ceylon cinnamon powder, and can be easily incorporated into your daily routine in order to realize their amazing health benefits.
The Scoop on Cinnamon
Before going into the wonderful health benefits of Ceylon cinnamon, it’s helpful for you to learn about some background information about cinnamon. What many people don’t realize is that there are two different types of cinnamon commonly sold in stores throughout the world.
- Ceylon cinnamon
- Cassia Cinnamon
One of these is the “real” cinnamon, and the other is not. Ceylon cinnamon is the “true” cinnamon and it offers numerous health benefits to those who consume it. But the most important difference between Ceylon & Cassia is that Cassia has high levels of coumarin, which is toxic to the liver. Even small quantities of coumarin can contribute to liver damage. Ceylon has virtually undetectable amounts of coumarin. Because of this very important difference, you should know that the cinnamon that you find in your grocery store is usually Cassia cinnamon, rather than Ceylon cinnamon. This is because Ceylon cinnamon can be more expensive and more difficult to find than Cassia cinnamon, and is the reason why Cassia cinnamon is more widely available and abundant in U.S. kitchens than Ceylon cinnamon. The flavor of Ceylon cinnamon is sweeter than Cassia cinnamon and more refined. Ceylon cinnamon originates from one, specific, tree, the cinnamomum zeylanicum, which is grown primarily in the following locations:
- Brazil
- The Caribbean
- India
- Madagascar
- Sri Lanka
Cassia cinnamon, while also grown in Sri Lanka, is primarily grown in China and Vietnam.
Are You Eating True Cinnamon or Cassia Cinnamon?
Unless you’ve made a specific effort to purchase Ceylon cinnamon, chances are that what is in your cupboard or pantry today is Cassia cinnamon. Good varieties of Cassia cinnamon may have the same flavoring and color of Ceylon cinnamon, but it does not offer the same health benefits.
Ceylon cinnamon tends to be more difficult to find. Even many health food stores do not always carry Ceylon cinnamon. Finding it, though, can be a bit tricky, which makes the Internet a great place to begin your search for true cinnamon for your health. Knowing that Ceylon cinnamon is the true cinnamon helps you understand the importance of using this type of cinnamon when seeking to take advantage of the many positive effects cinnamon can have on your health. Since it can be difficult to work cinnamon into your regular menu, one easy option to consider is the use of organic Ceylon cinnamon supplements daily. This makes the process simple and easy to follow, and it ensures that you’re getting the benefits of cinnamon daily without working overly hard to do so.
What Are the Health Benefits of Cinnamon?
There are quite a few potential health benefits that stem from the regular use of Ceylon cinnamon. The five listed below are a few of the highlights that stand to offer significant health improvements to those who consume it.
# 1. Supports Healthy Cholesterol Levels
According to a study appearing in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Ceylon cinnamon helps to boost HDL cholesterol, which is the good cholesterol. This improves total cholesterol and can be instrumental in reducing the health risks associated with cholesterol. A separate study appearing in Diabetes Care Journal reports that people with type 2 diabetes who consumed cinnamon for “40 days followed by a 20-day washout period” experienced a 7 to 27 percent reduction in LDL cholesterol and a 12 to 26 percent reduction in total cholesterol.
# 2. Boosts Memory and Protects the Brain
A report appearing in GreenMedinfo, explains that nutraceuticals derived from spices, such as cinnamon, turmeric, licorice, ginger, coriander, cloves, and red and black peppers, may be essential for supporting brain health. This can be essential in avoiding or reducing the symptoms of the effects of aging on the brain. Another report found that chewing gum with cinnamon flavoring, or simply smelling the spice, may help to improve brain activity. A study in Florida concluded that cinnamon served to improve test scores of subjects in relation to attention, memory, and visual motor speed.
# 3. Supports Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Another study appearing in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology offers groundbreaking news that taking cinnamon supplements for blood sugar may play a critical role in the support of normal blood sugar levels. The fact that cinnamon helps glucose levels in the blood return to normal more quickly is a huge benefit to consider for anyone who is dealing with the symptoms of higher than normal blood sugar levels.
# 4. Supports Male Libido
Some herbalists believe that cinnamon, in addition to other spices, like cloves and ginger, can help with male libido. The thought behind this is that these spices warm up the blood, leading to increased blood circulation throughout the body, including the penis.
# 5. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
For many people, inflammation is the root of all their aches and pains. Whether it’s the pain of arthritis or joint pain, and even certain types of headaches, the pain can be traced back to inflammation in many instances. It’s a systemic problem for many people and true cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory properties can potentially be of great help to those dealing with inflammation. These five benefits of Ceylon cinnamon are not all. Some research suggests that ceylon cinnamon can help prevent stomach ulcers, refresh bad breath, and may have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties. With so many reasons to consider cinnamon supplements and the ease of using organic Ceylon cinnamon supplements, the only question remaining is why aren’t you taking advantage of these health benefits of cinnamon for the sake of your health? If you are interested in adding a premium Ceylon Cinnamon product to your healthy lifestyle, try the Top-Rated Organic Ceylon Cinnamon from Zhou Nutrition.
References: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3854496/ http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/26/12/3215.full? maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=cinnamon&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&res ourcetype=HWCIT http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Cinnamon-boosts-brain-activity http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2901047/ http://www.bidmc.org/YourHealth/Conditions-AZ/Hyperthyroidism.aspx?ChunkID=21672 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-26397/Natural-cures-impotence.html http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1002-CASSIA%20CINNAMON.aspx?activeIngredientId=10 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003790/#B34 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17826984
