Cinnamon: benefits and harms

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Cinnamon is a well-known spice that is actively used in cooking and even in folk recipes. However, it is preliminarily recommended to carefully study all the beneficial properties of cinnamon and contraindications in order to understand how nutritious the available product promises to be.

Understanding the origins of cinnamon

Cinnamon is a tree of the laurel family that is native to Ceylon, India and China. With the help of copper knives, thin layers of the inner bark can be removed, which are subsequently dried in shady places. As the strips dry, the resulting portions of the bark turn golden brown.

The strips are then gently rolled into a tube shape. The cinnamon stick should be brittle. The cooked product has a pleasant fruity aroma, pungent taste with moderate sweetness.

Cinnamon: benefits and harms

Chinese cinnamon (cassia) is obtained similarly to Ceylon and Indian cinnamon. However, cassia is obtained only from trees that are already 10 years old. As a result, cinnamon sticks have a more pronounced aroma and taste.

Recently, cinnamon is often sold as a ground powder. However, its beneficial properties are still preserved in the same way as the rich aroma and taste.

Buyers can find a wide variety of spices on offer that amaze with their aroma and taste:

1. A product from China, Laos, Indonesia and Cambodia is used to produce cassia with coarse, rough bark fragments. This cinnamon has a brownish-red color and grayish spots.
2. Cassia Vera grows in the southwestern part of India. Such a product is endowed with a not very rich aroma. Moreover, the taste is bitter and astringent. The product has a rough surface and a light brown color.
3. Vietnamese cinnamon is always obtained from the bark of young plants. This spice is successfully used in oriental cooking. Vietnamese cinnamon is often added to meat dishes and soups.
4. In Indonesia, you can get Cinnamon from the shrub of the same name and its young shoots. This spice is distinguished by a reddish-yellow inner surface and a beige tint on top. The spice has a pronounced aroma, burning taste.
5. In Brazil and Sri Lanka, Ceylon cinnamon can be obtained, which is considered to be of the highest quality. Its differences are delicate aroma and sweetish taste.

Until now, it is generally accepted that real cinnamon should only be obtained from the bark of the tree of the same name. For this reason, it is only from Ceylon that the real spice is delivered.

In any case, cinnamon has a special composition that determines its taste and aroma, benefits and contraindications:

• Natural essential oils (for example, cinnamaldehyde) are responsible for the smell and taste;
• tannins, which are very useful for every person;
• resin and starch (both components are contained only in small quantities).

Thus, cinnamon is considered one of the most important spices at present.

How Cinnamon May Be Good

Cinnamon has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and analgesic properties. The beneficial properties of cinnamon are always due to its unique composition:

1. The composition of the product contains such a special substance as eugenol … It is this substance that causes a depressing effect on bacteria that can be potentially dangerous to the health of every person. Boiling will destroy the eugenol. It should be noted that the heating temperature of cinnamon can reach 80 degrees, after which it exhibits amazing properties.
2. Tannins and natural essential oils largely determine the special medicinal properties of the plant. It can be noted that the spice is very important for various colds and viral diseases. Cinnamon has antipyretic effects.
3. Cinnamon is often good for Gastrointestinal tract and can even be used in the treatment of mild diseases. Usually cinnamon is taken with natural honey internally.
4. Cinnamon has been successfully used in various medications … This is due to the fact that the oriental spice is very useful. Plus, natural cinnamon essential oil can be incorporated into almost any effective formulation. Cinnamon oil eliminates pain syndrome, spasms, relieves flatulence and tones the human body. In dermatology, cinnamon is successfully used in the treatment of skin fungus, to eliminate acne, papillomas, eczema and warts.
5. Cinnamon promotes the full absorption of sugar … At the same time, the level of glucose and cholesterol in the blood decreases, due to which the well-being of many people improves. The presence of polyphenol in the spice makes cinnamon an effective insulin analogue. Unsurprisingly, even diabetics are encouraged to consume cinnamon in moderation to combat high blood sugar.
6. Cinnamon stimulates brain activity and increases focus … As a result, increased attentiveness to even the smallest details, vigorous activity is guaranteed.
7. Cinnamon is very useful for hypertensive patients … The spice is recommended to be consumed daily until blood pressure normalizes.
8. Cinnamon strengthens the immune system … It is not surprising that the elderly and children are often interested in using oriental spice, because it tones up and improves the body's resistance to various viruses.
9. Cinnamon is actively used in dietetics … This is due to its cleansing properties. First of all, cinnamon relieves a person of toxins and toxins. Then there is an improvement in digestive functions, activation of metabolic processes. Moreover, special cocktails (for example, a glass of kefir, half a tablespoon of ginger powder and cinnamon each, a pinch of red pepper) will be a healthy dietary supper. Subsequently, a person can note the activation of metabolic processes and the elimination of extra pounds. The first results will be visible in about a week.
10. Cinnamon has been used successfully in aromatherapy … This is due to the fact that the aroma of cinnamon essential oil is very useful for eliminating depressive conditions, neuroses and any fears.
11. No wonder natural cinnamon oil is often used for scented candles and lamps … However, abuse is highly undesirable, because side effects (headache, apathy) may appear.
12. Cinnamon is very often used in cosmetology.… For example, cinnamon is used for hair loss and dandruff treatment. The positive effect is due to eugenol.

Many men are ready to appreciate the benefits of oriental spice for their male health. There is an increase in testosterone, prevention of prostatitis.

Such amazing benefits contribute to the fact that the oriental spice is successfully used for various purposes.

Nutritious and delicious cinnamon drinks

It is the beneficial properties of cinnamon that make it possible to prepare effective folk remedies. At the same time, some drinks with the addition of cinnamon not only delight with their taste, but also benefit.

In addition, anyone can prepare a nutritious tasty drink:

1. Cinnamon tea … This drink is quick and easy to prepare. You need to take one and a half glasses of water and a cinnamon stick. Then the drink is boiled over low heat for about 20 minutes. After that, the tea must cool down for the cinnamon to infuse and show its benefits. Now you can enjoy your nutritious drink.
2. Coffee. Often people make cinnamon coffee. You can add ground cinnamon to instant coffee if desired. You can also brew coffee: take 2 tablespoons of ground coffee and a cinnamon stick, pour the mixture with water and cook over low heat. The prepared drink must be filtered.
3. Kefir or milk … Cinnamon is often added to milk and dairy drinks. For example, you can use a glass of warm milk and a third of a teaspoon of cinnamon, or a cup of kefir and a teaspoon of cinnamon.

Such drinks will surprise you with their taste and benefits. It is not surprising that the oriental spice is actively used for culinary purposes.

Contraindications for the consumption of cinnamon

The existing contraindications for cinnamon should be considered. The correct use of oriental spices largely depends on this. In addition, for some people, cinnamon is not at all suitable and may even be harmful:

1. Cinnamon should not be consumed in large quantities. Otherwise, the spice will negatively affect the stomach. Sometimes there may be side effects such as stomach ulcers, increased intestinal sensitivity. The benefits are only possible with limited consumption of cinnamon.
2. People with a weak heart and high blood pressure should understand that cinnamon should not be consumed often and much. Eastern spice increases heart rate, increases blood pressure.
3. Cinnamon should not be taken by pregnant women and nursing mothers. An oriental spice has a very strong effect on the hormonal background of every woman. For example, pregnant women may experience uterine contractions followed by miscarriage.
4. The product contains toxic coumarin, which in large quantities is very dangerous for the liver and kidneys. For this reason, it is undesirable to actively use the oriental spice in cooking for problems with the kidneys and liver.
5. Children under 3 years old should not take cinnamon.

It is advisable to take such contraindications of cinnamon into account for the successful use of the product.

Spice sticks are stored for up to a year, ground - up to 6 months. Storage is only possible in a dark and dry place.