Cinnamon is a spice that people rely on when making everything from apple pie to French toast. It is made from the bark of the cinnamon tree and is either rolled into cinnamon sticks (called quills) or ground into a fine powder. Although there are several varieties of cinnamon from countries like India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, and Egypt, Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon are the most popular. Ceylon cinnamon, often referred to as true cinnamon, is the most expensive varietal. Cassia cinnamon, which is darker and harder, is the type most commonly found in grocery stores. Beyond its use in cooking, cinnamon is believed to have medicinal properties. Alternative practitioners believe that cinnamon can lower blood sugar, treat superficial fungal infections, and reduce inflammation and pain. The current research remains split on whether cinnamon can deliver on these promises. Let’s find out the amazing benefits of Cinnamon with Toptechslife!
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May Help Fight HIV Virus
HIV if left untreated slowly depletes the body’s immune system leading to AIDS. As researchers work around the clock to find the cure for HIV, some natural remedies have been projected to help reduce the risk posed by the virus.
The type of cinnamon obtained from varieties of Cassia has been thought to be effective against HIV1, which is the most common type of HIV in beings.
However, more studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of cinnamon against HIV1 in humans. If taken in the form of tea, it can help to save the world from the virus.
Helps in The Fight Against Fungal and Bacterial Infections
Cinnamon contains an active ingredient known as cinnamaldehyde that is known to strongly fight against fungal and bacterial infections. The oil extracted from it is used in the treatment of fungal infections that occur in the respiratory tract.
Moreover, taking it constrains the growth of some certain types of disease-causing pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria bacteria. Nevertheless, evidence of the activity of cinnamon in the fight against disease-causing pathogens is still sketchy since its effect in other parts of the body have not yet been established.
Cinnamon also helps alleviate bad breath and tooth decay due to its antimicrobial properties. Essentially, consuming cinnamon tea will help fight against a hoard of bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Further research needs to be conducted to identify other types of bacteria and fungus in the human body that can be eliminated by cinnamon.
Reduces blood pressure
There is some evidence to suggest that the consumption of cinnamon is associated with a short-term reduction in blood pressure. Although the evidence is hopeful, it would be premature to recommend cinnamon for blood pressure control until a comprehensive randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving a larger number of patients has been carried out. More recent studies have, to date, shown less promising findings.
Relieves digestive discomfort
Cinnamon extract has been used to alleviate gastrointestinal problems in both Eastern and Western medicine for years. It has been described as a carminative, renowned for its digestive, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, cinnamon bark oil is used for treating flatulence and digestive imbalance. It is believed that the warmth of cinnamon increases blood flow and improves blood oxygen levels to help fight off illness. To alleviate digestive symptoms, cinnamon is taken as part of a hot drink (much like a tea). In this instance, it’s easier to use ground cinnamon rather than trying to grate cinnamon sticks yourself.
Antidiabetic Effect
One of the natural remedies of diabetes is cinnamon. It has been found to successfully lower the levels of blood sugar in the body in several ways. It also alleviates insulin resistance. The intake of glucose in the body’s circulatory system is effectively decreased by cinnamon.
Cinnamon slows down the rate at which glucose in the digestive system is digested by inhibiting several gastrointestinal enzymes. Furthermore, a specific compound found in cinnamon has been found to copycat insulin hence providing it with the ability to act on cells.
Essentially, the absorption of glucose into body cells is improved although the functionality of cinnamon is slower than that of insulin. By lowering the levels of blood sugar, cinnamon reduces the risk of diabetes
