Medical properties of Cinnamon

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Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices in the world which is obtained by grinding the brown bark of the cinnamon tree (Cinnamonum verum).

He is mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible and was used in ancient Egypt not only as a spice in drinks and medicine , but also as one of the ingredients that are used for embalming .

At this time cinnamon was very highly esteemed and considered even valuble than

Extract of it has many favorable effects on human health: balance blood sugar levels , prevent clothing of the blood , has anti-inflammatory , antimicrobial and antifungal properties and improves brain function .

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Healing capabilities of cinnamon come from essential oils found in its bark : cinamaldehid , cinamil acetate , alcohol , cinamil etc. .

Cinnamon is helpful for people who have type 2 diabetes – studies show that the ingredients that include cinnamon stimulate insulin receptors and inhibit an enzyme that inactivates insulin.

He also lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and prevent diabetic complications and cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes.

Besides the unique essential oils , cinnamon contains trace minerals such as manganese and a very good source of fiber , iron and calcium .

These compounds reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis and regulate stool in cases of diarrhea or constipation

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Properties of cinnamon :

  • – Lowers blood sugar with type 2 diabetes ;
  • – Maintain metabolic balance between glucose and insulin in the blood ;
  • – For the prevention of cardiovascular diseases ;
  • – For the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia ;
  • – To regulate the proper function of the digestive tract ;
  • – Shows anti-inflammatory , antimicrobial and antifungal properties .
  • Source: secretly healthy

Food for weight loss: Cinnamon or dalchini

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You may have believed that dalchini or cinnamon is simply added to a pulav or biryani to spice up their taste but that’s not the only things these little barks do. Cinnamon is one of those magical ingredients that helps you to heal from cough and cold and also lose weight!

Cinnamon does this by activating insulin receptors and stimulating various enzyme systems involved in the carbohydrate metabolism in your body, eventually regulating the level of blood sugar and increasing metabolism. It also helps to delay the passing of food from stomach to the intestines which keeps you satiated for a longer period of time and eventually reduces your food intakes.

How to add cinnamon in your diet

Tip#1: Include about one teaspoon of cinnamon in your daily diet by sprinkling cinnamon powder on food you eat – breakfast cereal, tea and coffee, fruits such as apples and pears or curds.

Tip#2: Combine cinnamon with honey in the form of a tea by mixing one tablespoon of each in half a cup of hot water. This tea should be drunk about 30 minutes before breakfast every day to see a noticeable weight loss.

Source: yahoo news


Cinnamon levels up from common spice to ‘super’ health food

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A team of scientists elevated the prized spice, cinnamon, from its culinary applications to a loftier stratum as a promising molecular weapon for combating chronic diseases. Researchers from various fields, including Kiram Panickar, Heping Cao, Bolin Qin and Richard A. Anderson, collaborated in making this significant breakthrough. The results revived ancient interest in the therapeutic benefits of common cinnamon, Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum zeylanicum, also known as the “true cinnamon,” to modern genomic medicine. Compounds found in cinnamon revealed multiple utility in terms of enhancing the effects of insulin, its antioxidant function, efficacy against inflammation, and its neuroprotective benefits.

Cinnamon polyphenol extract (CPE) regulates a number of genes and exerts a significant influence on the metabolism of glucose. Various studies conducted on human subjects afflicted with metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus also showed the beneficial effects of whole cinnamon and its aqueous extract on the glucose, insulin, lipid profile and anti-oxidant status of the patients.

Experts also posited possible effects of cinnamon compounds on body composition, lean body mass and inflammatory response.

Cinnamon Extract Helps against Dyslipedemia

Patients with metabolic syndrome develop resistance to insulin action, which in turn causes dyslipedemia or abnormal level of lipids in the blood. In most cases, the problem is hyperlipedemia. Cinnamon presents a good potential in lowering lipid levels in both animal and human subjects.

Cinnamon Extract Lowers Systolic Blood Pressure

Agents that are typically employed as an intervention for insulin resistance and/or lower circulating insulin concentration in the blood also tend to lower blood pressure. Such agents include nutrients, nutritional supplements, and drugs. Research conducted on spontaneously hypertensive rats fed with sucrose-containing diet showed that elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) is lowered when the rats were given dietary cinnamon. This presents a promising development highlighting the efficacy of cinnamon not only for sucrose-induced high SBP but also for hypertension caused by genetic factors.

Molecular Targets

Based on the aforementioned link between chronic diseases and genetic influences, research is now pursuing genomic targets for therapy. Quantitative research on polymerase chain reaction was performed to examine the effects of aqueous cinnamon extract on the expression of genes coding for the glucose transporter (GLUT) and anti-inflammatory tristetrapolin (TTP) families, components of the insulin signal transduction pathway, etc. So far, there are tell-tale signs that the medical hypotheses on selected targets are leaning towards positive results.

Age-Old Super Spice

From its basic ancient uses as treatment for toothache, anti-halitosis or bad breath, medication for the nasty common cold and digestion aid, cinnamon has gone quite a long way. Recent studies also showed that even just the smell of cinnamon or chewing cinnamon gum improves brain function from memory to visual-motor speed, recognition, and attention and focus.
Source: natural news