Two main types of cinnamon.
5 health benefits of cinnamon.
Research suggests that cinnamon has the potential to aid in the treatment of everything fromheart diseaseto diabetes.
Here are some of the most impressive science-backed benefits of cinnamon:
1.
Cinnamon packs an antioxidant punch.
The good news: Cinnamon happens to be packed withantioxidants3, which stabilize free radicals.
Even better,research reveals5that the antioxidants in cinnamon are alsoanti-inflammatory.
These antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties likely play a role in cinnamon’s other health benefits listed here.
Cinnamon can lower blood sugar (and carb cravings).
Cinnamon may lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
Cinnamon has cancer-fighting properties.
The study hasn’t been replicated in humans, buttest-tube experiments16on human colon cells have yielded similar results.
Cinnamon may keep your brain healthy and your memory sharp.
Similar to cancer, cinnamon’s effects onbrain healthhave mostly been studied in animals.
That said, they’re still promising.
Inone study17, rats were fed ahigh-fat, high-fructose diet.
Some were also given cinnamon.
Otheranimal researchhas found that consuming cinnamon significantly increases levels of something called sodium benzoate in the brain.
How much cinnamon is safe to consume per day?
Cinnamon in moderation is great, but too much can harm your health in a number of ways.
Coumarincan havenegative effects19on theliverand even increase your risk of cancer.
Ceylon, or “true” cinnamon, contains onlytrace amounts23of coumarin, making it safer to consume.
That’smorethan enough to boost the flavor and nutrients of your morningoatmeal,latte, orsmoothie.
However, people on diabetes medications should be extra cautious.
People taking diabetes medication such asinsulinare at increased risk of this if they consume too much cinnamon.
Are there any other side effects of cinnamon?
Some people also experience allergic reactions to cinnamon.
These are triggered by a compound called cinnamaldehyde, which is abundant in both types of cinnamon.
People with cinnamaldehydeallergies24sometimes experiencemouth sores25,tongue or gum swelling24, and burning and itching in the mouth.
If you’re worried you might be allergic, you might ask your doctor for askin patch test26.
Any more than that could have some negative effects.
