Cinnamon is one of the
most popularly used spices in the world, and one that has been used in many
households for a very long time. My earliest recollection of cinnamon, as a
child in the 1950's, was cinnamon cake. This tasty spice does have other culinary
uses, though, plus some reputed health benefits which I was unaware of back
then.
Cinnamon has been used
by many different cultures in their cuisine, and also for medicinal purposes,
for hundreds of years. In fact, it has been recorded as being used in 2000BC,
and is also mentioned in the bible. Once a rarity fit for kings and highly
prized, cinnamon spice it is now widely available at a reasonable price.
Scientific Studies into Cinnamon
Cinnamon has been
thought by many to have medicinal benefits, and at one time it was thought to
cure the common cold. Such a universal benefit has not been proven, but
cinnamon has aroused scientific interest in other.
One of the areas in
which cinnamon has shown great promise in clinical studies is in the treatment
of type 2 diabetes. A recent study, reported in the Diabetes Care Journal,
found that the ingestion of just a half a teaspoon of cinnamon every day
significantly reduced the level of blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes.
In addition, the same study found that cinnamon was able to reduce
triglycerides, LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol levels in the same
study participants.
There are some other
health benefits that are thought, by some, to stem from cinnamon, and these
include:
Nasal Congestion
– Cinnamon and other spices have been used by many to relieve the nasal
congestion that can come from colds, allergies and other common conditions.
Tissue Toning
– There is considerable anecdotal evidence to suggest that cinnamon has the
ability to tone and constrict tissues in the body.
Improved
digestion – Cinnamon and other related spices have
long been used as a digestive aid, and those who suffer from stomach cramps,
irritable bowel syndrome and other common stomach disorders may find that
adding cinnamon to their food can assist their digestion.
Joint and Muscle
Pain and Stiffness – Some people who have eaten
cinnamon on a regular basis report that their muscle and joint pain and
stiffness has been reduced.
Relief from menstrual
cramping and other discomfort – Cinnamon has long been used in the world of
traditional medicine to treat the discomfort that accompanies menstruation, and
many women report that a daily helping of cinnamon greatly reduces cramping,
pain and other common menstrual complaints.
In addition, cinnamon
has been associated with thinning blood to aid circulation, killing harmful
bacteria, and helping gum disease.
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