Cinnamon

by Raphaël Nanni March 12, 2020

Lovers of exotic perfumes and scents from elsewhere will rejoice, because cinnamon, which is so often included in our desserts, also turns out to be a health ally full of benefits. Enough, once again, to rediscover what is precious in nature for our health and well-being...

Overview of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice that comes, as you probably know, from the inner bark of one of the different species of cinnamon tree. The cinnamon tree is a tree that originally grows in the wild forests of Sri Lanka, India, the island of Java and Mauritius, the Seychelles, the French Antilles and Brazil.

The tree can reach up to 15 metres in height, and produces a very thin bark, which is harvested in spring, preferably early in the morning and during rainy weather.

There are 4 main types of cinnamon: Padang cinnamon, Chinese cinnamon or cassia, Saigon cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon, also called “true cinnamon”.

A bark... as precious as life

Cinnamon has been known since ancient times. Did you know that on the island of Sri Lanka, only the Salagamas, a caste traditionally associated with the cultivation and exploitation of cinnamon, were allowed to touch cinnamon? Those who dared to break this ban were punished with death!

Composition and medicinal properties of cinnamon

Cinnamon is literally bursting with antioxidants. In fact, it ranks 4th among the 50 foods richest in antioxidants. Among the antioxidant substances present in cinnamon is proanthocyanidin, which has the ability to protect the body from oxidative stress.

Blood cells and blood lipids are preserved. Cinnamon contains 8100 mg of proanthocyanidin per 100g, just after the cocoa bean which is the food that contains the most.

As a food rich in antioxidants, cinnamon helps slow down the aging of cells, especially skin cells. It protects the body against free radicals present in our daily environment through the multiple pollutions that our body is confronted with.

Cinnamon also contains more than 17,000 mg of cinnamaldehyde per 100g, a volatile phenolic compound with strong antioxidant power, which acts in particular by reducing inflammatory and allergic reactions such as asthma, psoriasis or allergic rhinitis. This reaction is made possible by the inhibitory action of cinnamon on the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme, involved in anaphylactic reactions.

Cinnamon is also famous for its antimicrobial, antiseptic, disinfectant, antiviral and antifungal properties. It acts radically to stop the proliferation of bacteria and microbes in the body, but also to fight against viruses, fungi and various mycoses.

Containing compounds similar to insulin, cinnamon may also help lower blood glucose levels, as well as total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These are significant benefits for relieving the pain of people with type 2 diabetes.

Finally, thanks to its richness in manganese, cinnamon acts as a cofactor for certain enzymes participating in no less than a dozen essential metabolic processes. Its high iron content, for its part, participates in the efficient transport of oxygen in cells, the formation of red blood cells, as well as the production of new cells, hormones and neurotransmitters.

Scientific studies on cinnamon and its benefits

Cinnamon has been widely studied for its antioxidant properties. Although the mechanisms involved in the body's absorption of cinnamon components remain poorly understood, its beneficial action on oxidative stress is recognized (1) (2).

The properties of cinnamon to reduce inflammatory reactions have also been studied. (3) Similarly, the antimicrobial profile of cinnamon has been the subject of several trials. Researchers have been able to observe a very marked reduction in the growth of bacteria on foods infected with certain microbes (4).

The action of cinnamon in relation to diabetes has been widely tested on patients. For example, one study proposed to a group of 40 diabetics to consume daily 1 to 6g of ground cinnamon, or a cinnamon extract at an equivalent dosage. After 4 months, the results clearly showed that the composition of cinnamon allows to reduce the level of sugar in the blood, as well as the level of certain blood lipids , as mentioned above. (5) (6) (7)

Use and dosage of cinnamon

In the form of a food supplement with a dosage specially designed to improve health, cinnamon is available in powder, capsules, or even in the form of essential oil.

For powders and capsules, it is recommended to follow the manufacturer's instructions, which vary depending on the dosages.

In the form of herbal tea made from bark, consumption not exceeding 3 cups per day is generally recommended.

Finally, when choosing to use cinnamon essential oil, it is essential to always mix it in a vegetable oil beforehand. For internal use, take up to 2 to 3 drops per day. For external use, take care to dilute the cinnamon essential oil to 20% cinnamon and 80% vegetable oil.

Contraindications and side effects of cinnamon

Cinnamon is an extremely powerful plant that should be used with caution and discernment. As we have already said, you should absolutely not use pure cinnamon essential oil, because it is toxic. It should always be diluted in a vegetable oil.

Cinnamon may cause skin and mucous membrane irritation, as well as high blood pressure or heart palpitations in some people.

Cinnamon, a powerful health ally to be used with discernment

As we have seen, cinnamon is an extremely interesting health asset for multiple uses. However, we remind you once again that its extremely powerful composition calls for careful and well-documented use, to avoid any undesirable effects.