The benefits of cinnamon in improving sensitivity to the hormone insulin
Cinnamon is a very tasty spice. It has been valued for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. Also, modern science has now confirmed what people knew long ago.
Types of cinnamon
Ceylon cinnamon: also known as “true” cinnamon.
Cassia cinnamon: It is the most common type today and what people generally refer to as “cinnamon”.
How to make cinnamon
Cinnamon is made by cutting the stems of cinnamon trees. Then the inner bark is extracted and the woody parts are removed. When it dries, it forms strips that curl into rolls. They are called cinnamon sticks.
These sticks can be ground to form cinnamon powder. The distinctive smell and flavor of cinnamon is due to the oily part. It is very high in cinnamaldehyde.
Scientists believe this compound is responsible for most of cinnamon’s powerful effects on health and metabolism.
Cinnamon health benefits
Below are a number of health benefits of cinnamon that are backed by scientific research.
Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Cinnamon is loaded with powerful antioxidants. such as polyphenols .
Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties
Cinnamon helps the body fight infections and repair tissue damage.
However, Inflammation can become a problem when it is chronic and directed against the body’s own tissues.
Cinnamon may be beneficial in this regard. Studies show that this spice and its antioxidants have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Reduce the risk of heart disease
Cinnamon has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease. It is the most common cause of premature death in the world.
in patients with type 2 diabetes, 1 gram or about half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to have beneficial effects on blood markers.
It lowers total cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, While the good HDL cholesterol remains constant .
It can improve sensitivity to the hormone insulin
Insulin is one of the main hormones that regulate metabolism and energy use. It is also needed to move blood sugar from your bloodstream into your cells.
The problem is that many people are resistant to the effects of insulin.
This is known as insulin resistance. It is a hallmark of serious conditions such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
Cinnamon can significantly reduce insulin resistance. This helps this important hormone do its job.
It may have beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by a progressive loss of the structure or function of brain cells.
Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are among the most common types.
Two compounds found in cinnamon appear to inhibit the buildup of tau protein in the brain. It is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.
Fighting bacterial and fungal infections
cinnamaldehyde, One of the main active ingredients of cinnamon, They may help fight various types of infections.
Cinnamon oil has proven effective in treating respiratory infections caused by fungi. It can also prevent the growth of some bacteria , including listeria and salmonella.
Cinnamon’s antimicrobial effects may also help prevent tooth decay and reduce bad breath
Fight against HIV
HIV is a virus that slowly breaks down your immune system. which could eventually lead to AIDS, If not treated.
Cinnamon extracted from cassia varieties is believed to help fight HIV-1, It is the most common strain of HIV.
Cinnamon side effects
Cinnamon may cause a number of unwanted side effects, which can be mentioned in the following points:
May cause liver damage
Cassia (or regular) cinnamon is a rich source of coumarin, Which may range from ground cassia cinnamon to 7 to 18 milligrams per teaspoon (2.6 grams).
While Ceylon cinnamon contains trace amounts of coumarin .
The tolerable daily intake of coumarin is approximately 0.05 mg/lb (0.1 mg/kg) of body weight.
This means that just one teaspoon of Cassia cinnamon can put you over your daily limit.
May increase the risk of cancer
Animal studies have shown that eating too much coumarin, It is abundant in cassia cinnamon, May increase the risk of some types of cancer.
For example Studies in rodents have found that eating too much coumarin can cause cancerous tumors to develop in the lungs, liver, and kidneys.
May cause mouth ulcers
Some people have developed mouth ulcers from eating products that contain cinnamon flavoring agents.
Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde. It is a compound that may trigger an allergic reaction when consumed in large amounts.
May cause low blood sugar
Chronic high blood sugar is a health problem. If left untreated, It may lead to diabetes, heart disease and many other health problems.
Cinnamon is known for its ability to lower blood sugar. Studies have found that the spice can mimic the effects of insulin. It is a hormone that helps remove sugar from the blood.
It may cause breathing problems
Taking too much ground cinnamon in one sitting may cause breathing problems.
This is because the spice has a fine texture that can make it easy to sniff. It can cause accidental inhalation; cough, And the difficulty of self.
People with asthma or other medical conditions should be especially careful of accidentally inhaling cinnamon. Where you are likely to experience difficulty breathing.
Cinnamon allergy
Although cinnamon does not cause diarrhea in most people, However, people allergic to cinnamon may suffer from diarrhea after eating it.
Diarrhea from food allergy is often accompanied by other intestinal symptoms. such as nausea, vomiting, or stomach cramps.
These symptoms generally appear within minutes of consuming cinnamon. But it may happen after two hours, According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology .