Cinnamon

Description

Cinnamon is a highly delicious spice that has been prized for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. It’s made by cutting the stems of the cinnamon tree, extracting the inner bark, and letting it dry. This process causes it to curl into rolls known as cinnamon sticks, which can also be ground into cinnamon powder. The distinct smell and flavor of cinnamon are due to the oily part, which is very high in the compound cinnamaldehyde. Scientists believe this compound is responsible for most of cinnamon’s powerful effects on health and metabolism. Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants that protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. It’s also well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help lower the risk of disease. Studies have suggested that cinnamon can also significantly reduce insulin resistance, helping this vital hormone do its job better and lower blood sugar levels. Moreover, cinnamon has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, the world’s most common cause of premature death, by reducing total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides while maintaining HDL (good) cholesterol. Additionally, cinnamon has been shown to lead to various improvements for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases in animal studies, although human research is needed. Lastly, it has antimicrobial and antifungal effects, which may reduce infections and help fight tooth decay and bad breath.