Cinnamon is quite a popular spice in many households as it gives your dish that extra kick. Another reason why many love this spice is the fact that it has plenty of health benefits to offer. As a matter of fact, cinnamon has been used for ages because of its medicinal properties which is why it is worth considering having this spice in your own pantry.
So what benefits can you get from using this flavorful spice? Here are some health benefits linked to it that you should know about.
It is packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants are the ones responsible for protecting the body against oxidative damage and it appears that cinnamon has quite a lot of it. These antioxidants, when ingested, can prevent free radicals from causing damage to your body, and you can also use it to preserve your food.
It can reduce your LDL or bad cholesterol. It doesn’t matter whether you have diabetes or not, adding cinnamon to your diet is still a good idea because it helps lower one’s LDL or bad cholesterol levels. Cinnamon has also been found to lower fasting blood glucose as well as triglycerides while increasing serum glucose.
It has anti-inflammatory properties. Another health benefit that is associated with cinnamon is that it can reduce inflammation in the body. Most of the chronic problems that we experience are due to inflammation and by taking cinnamon, you are actually reducing your chances of getting headaches and pain like arthritis pain in the long run. Cinnamon is also beneficial to those with arthritis because this spice can actually boost your circulation.
It can provide protection against cancer. There is no doubt that cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases as it can affect both the young and the old. It is important to address cancer cell growth as soon as they develop in order to prevent them from growing further. Cinnamon appears to contribute to the reduction of cancer cells growth in animal tests. However, further studies need to be conducted on humans to determine its efficacy in terms of killing off cancer growth.
It can boost one’s sensitivity to hormone insulin. Insulin plays an important role in our body as it is the one responsible for regulating our metabolism as well as energy. It is also the one responsible for transporting blood sugar in the bloodstream but unfortunately, there are a lot of people who are resistant to insulin. This can lead to Type 2 diabetes which affects millions of people around the world. Cinnamon has been found to improve one’s sensitivity to insulin to ensure that this particular hormone actually does its job.
It can treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s as well as Parkinson’s diseases. These two neurological diseases still don’t have the cure that people are looking for but scientists have discovered that cinnamon may help deal with the symptoms. This spice is believed to help the neurons in the brain while at the same time boost one’s motor function which can assist those with these diseases function better daily.
It contains antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Cinnamon’s antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties had been used in the preservation of food during the Middle Ages but nowadays, these properties are used by health specialists in treating common illnesses such as flu and cough.
These are just a few health benefits that you can take advantage of when you add cinnamon to your daily diet. Regardless of whether you are feeling under the weather or you want to boost your overall health, this spice should definitely be used.
