A savored spice for thousands of years, cinnamon spans the globe across households and cultures, providing its trademark sweet spicy bark flavor to sweet and savory dishes. This widely used spice is actually an evergreen tree native to Sri Lanka and South India, and offers a bounty of health benefits, from antioxidants to anti-cancer activity. A great amount of scientific research shows this sweet bark to be an invaluable health-promoting food, and luckily, one that is delicious and easy to sprinkle onto a cup of morning coffee or into a spicy curry. (Source)
Cinnamon for Reproductive Health
Cinnamon has many pharmacological applications, including treatment of reproductive issues. It has been shown to have a positive effect on dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps), as was demonstrated in a study that investigated the effects of cinnamon on female Iranian college students at Ilam University of Medical Sciences. The group of women who consumed cinnamon capsules three times per day exhibited a significant reduction of pain, menstrual bleeding, nausea and vomiting compared to the placebo group, providing evidence of cinnamon’s value as a treatment for dysmenorrhea. (Source) Additionally, a preliminary study found cinnamon to improve menstrual cycles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). (Source) Another study investigated the effects of a combined and separate cinnamon and ginger treatment on male rats with spermatogenesis dysfunction and diabetes. The results of the study showed a marked increase in sperm numbers, percentages of sperm viability and motility, and total serum testosterone, especially in rats who received a combination of ginger and cinnamon instead of the spices alone. (Source)
Cinnamon for Heart Health
According to research, cinnamon can be a boon to heart health. One study investigated the effects of cinnamon on heart-health concomitant with increased aerobic exercise. The study found that the long-term treatment of regular exercise supplemented with cinnamon improved cardiac blood flow and function, while lowering LDL and improving HDL levels. (Source)
Cinnamon for Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Cinnamon has been found to have preventative effects on different types of cancer. One study found a cinnamon compound, 2′-hydroxycinnamicadelhyde, to inhibit an enzyme responsible for the formation of leukemia and skin cancer, while producing apoptosis of these types of cancer cells. (Source)
Cinnamon for Diabetes Treatment
Much research indicates the potential of cinnamon as a treatment for diabetes. One study found cinnamon extract to reduce fasting glucose levels in human patients with type-2 diabetes. (Source) Another study administered cinnamon capsules to adults with type-2 diabetes, and found the cinnamon to reduce serum glucose, LDL, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in the patients. (Source)
Cinnamon for Weight Loss
Concomitant with diabetes treatment, cinnamon has also been shown to promote weight loss. In one study, cinnamaldehyde, the component in cinnamon responsible for its flavor, was analyzed for its weight-loss effects. Mice were given cinnamaldehyde and subsequently exhibited reduced overall food intake and increased gastric emptying rates. Additionally, obese mice lost weight after being given a cinnamaldehyde-containing diet and experienced improved glucose tolerance. (Source)
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE
Cinnamon, 1 Tbsp (8g), ground
Calories: 19g
Sodium: 1g
Total Carbohydrate: 6g
Dietary Fiber: 4g
Vitamin K: 3%
Calcium: 8%
Iron: 4%
Manganese: 68%