Cinnamon - a miracle in a half teaspoon
Cinnamon is an evergreen tree native to Sri Lanka and Southern India. Its bark is very commonly used as the spice we all know as cinnamon. The original cinnamon is the Ceylon cinnamon, also known as true cinnamon, which is mostly used in Europe.
However, there are many related cinnamon spices, also labeled as “cinnamon”, which is incorrect. For example the most commonly sold as “cinnamon” in US and Canada actually is called cassia, distinguished from true cinnamon as Indonesian cinnamon or Chinese cinnamon. It comes from Southern China.
Cassia is a very close relative to the “true cinnamon”, but its flavor is less delicate than that of the “true cinnamon” and that is why it is less expensive.
Cinnamon “sticks” (quills) are 5-10 cm long rolls of thin dried bark and can be grated into cinnamon powder. Most people prefer the cinnamon sticks to the powder, because the sticks, if stored properly, can be kept fresh and flavorous for 2-3 years, and the powder - six months only.
Cinnamon nutrition facts
It may sound unbelievable that a half teaspoon of cinnamon contains antioxidants called polyphenols, about 1 gram fiber and less than 1 gram carbohydrate, and is rich in vitamins - C, K, and minerals - 28 grams calcium, iron, manganese.
Health benefits of cinnamon
The health benefits of cinnamon and cassia have been known and used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine. Cinnamon was used as an embalming agent in ancient Egypt, because of its preservation effect.
Traditional medicine has recommended cinnamon for digestive disorders -indigestion, gas and bloating, heartburn, diarrhea.
Modern medicine has confirmed these health benefits of cinnamon and has added some more, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal effects.
A half teaspoon of powdered cassia or tea from cassia bark per day may help you to:
- significantly reduce blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetic patients*
- improve insulin sensitivity
- improve cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- normalize blood sugar levels of non-diabetics as well
- lower high blood pressure
- lose weight and maintain it
- lower the risk for heart disease
* Despite all these health benefits of cassia, it should not be used in place of anti-diabetic drugs.
In my next post I will reveal some interesting facts about cinnamon weight loss effect, and will share with you my favorite cinnamon recipes.
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April 29th, 2006 at 5:56 pm
cool blog. i will talk about this in dietradio.
May 8th, 2006 at 11:59 am
please send me more information on weightloss with cinnamon
May 9th, 2006 at 1:53 pm
Hello Candy,
Thank you for your interest in cinnamon and weight loss.
Please, follow this link for more information.
July 4th, 2006 at 9:52 am
[…] H57 Hoodia also contains green tea extract and cinnamon extract. They both act as H57 Hoodia’s thermogenesis accelerators. […]
September 11th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Hi, This recipe of weightly is avidly followed in Fiji:
1 teaspoon cinnmon,
1 teaspoon honey,
in 1 cup of warm water..
It works with many i’ve come across…..
October 13th, 2007 at 3:24 am
How long before you will see the results with the weight loss?
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:54 am
I ordered the stick form Ceylon cinnamon, I was wondering if it could be boiled to make the tea and kept in the frig and add the honey as you drink it. If so how much water to a stick. Thanks…..Pat