Cinnamon and its Health Properties
Where is your cinnamon from?
Some time ago, I came upon important information about Cinnamon. This is a spice known and used in most countries worldwide, but not all varieties of Cinnamon are good for you. Some can even harm you. That is why you need to inform yourself.
Cinnamon sticks image Steve Buissinne
This well-known spice has been around for many centuries. It seems that even in ancient Egypt it was used be it for medicine and in the embalming process. They also mention it in the bible and became, over time, one of the most popular goods for trading in a variety of cultures. In travel books of the 1700s and 1800s, they often mention the use of cinnamon.
Cinnamon originates from a tree and you can buy it as a ground powder. It is the inner bark of a cinnamon tree, which has this delicious flavor and therefore also sold as sticks. There are several species of cinnamon trees, the most common being the Cinnamomum Cassia or Chinese cinnamon.
A second variety is the Cinnamomum Verum or Sri Lanka (Ceylon) cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon is considered true cinnamon. Its color is a lighter brown, it is sweeter in taste and harder to find, and more expensive. Most cinnamon is of the Cassia variety. In the US, at least 90% is Cassia. It is quite a bit cheaper, has a more bitter taste, and is darker in color.
In this YouTube video, you can see the interesting process of how Ceylon Cinnamon sticks are made.
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Try something different in your kitchen
This Asian Flavors cooking book will help you discover the flavors that define Asian cuisine. You will get explicit instructions on how to use these flavors in mouthwatering recipes.
The many centuries of foreign influences are reflected in Asian cuisines. The French and Chinese were in Vietnam, the British in Myanmar and Malaysia, the Dutch in Indonesia, and the Spanish in the Philippines. The combination of indigenous foods with cooking styles of different countries created an exhilarating culinary fusion and delight you can enjoy and prepare in your own kitchen.
What are the benefits of quality cinnamon?
Cinnamon has many health benefits. One of its most important benefits is the fact that it contains Coumarin, which helps prevent blood from clumping. It will keep your blood flowing nicely, blood clotting can be dangerous. It also helps to regulate your blood sugar.
Try to put a big spoonful of cinnamon in your coffee, it tastes great. It also contains a lot of antioxidants and it will help you in fighting fungal infections. There are also indications that cinnamon may improve your memory. The evidence is still not widespread, so time will tell, but it looks promising.
Coffee with Cinnamon image Firdaves
Some differences between Ceylon and Cassia cinnamon
There seems to be a big difference between cinnamon from Ceylon and Cassia cinnamon from China. As mentioned earlier, cinnamon contains Coumarin, which is a blood thinner. However, Cassia cinnamon contains 1000% more Coumarin than Ceylon cinnamon.
Coumarin, taken over a long period, can cause liver damage and other health-related problems.
Have a look at this Wikipedia link. Upon reading this, you know why one should avoid Cassia.
Cinnamon improves your learning abilities
Just recently, more interesting information on Cinnamon came to light.
There is a new study from researchers at the Rush University Medical Center, which was published in the Neuroimmune Pharmacology.
Nest of baby mice image Karsten Paulick
This is a very interesting study with mice. 2 Groups of mice, one of them the “good learners” and the other group were “poor learners”. Using cinnamon, they observed that the “poor learners” had a benefit on a biochemical, cellular, and anatomical level in their brains. It had an effect on the hippocampus.
This area of the brain is associated with the creative process, the sorting, and also the storing of memory, that is why it is so closely related to the learning process. Cinnamon improved the learning ability in the mice who were “poor learners” but by giving cinnamon to the group of mice who were considered “good learners” no positive change was observed.
White laboratory mouse image Tibor Janos Mozes
Conclusion
Although this study has only been done with mice, perhaps in the near future some studies might be done with humans. A lot of children nowadays have difficulty learning, often due to toxic environments/lifestyles. Just imagine that by taking cinnamon on a daily basis, of course only the Ceylon one, we would be able to increase our learning abilities? I think it is worth trying, don’t you?
I have made a special page for you with a collection of things I think could be of your interest. Before you leave, have a look at Recommendations.
Source: Paleohacks by Casey Thaler, Alternative Daily by Tanya Rahmilevich
Photo Source: Pixabay
Positive information on sugar does not really exist much, and nowadays we eat far too much of it. To my surprise, I came across this information that states sugar can be helpful. Perhaps you also like to read the following post.
Comments
Alejandra
Hi,
Great article about cinnamon, one of my favorite spices of all, and it must be due that I’m Mexican.
I still remember those chilly Mexican nights (only 18 C) and everyone looking to have a hot Mexican coffee made with sugar and cinnamon.
It’s known by Mexican grandmothers the benefits of drinking cinnamon infusion, to help people to recover from a cold, to cure all those bad moments a girl can have during her periods, and many other health problems.
I still remember my grand mother telling me I should have always cinnamon in my kitchen, you never know when you’ll need it.
Taetske
Good evening Alejandra,
Thank you for leaving a comment on my website. Mother Nature provides with nearly all we need and I think it is a good idea to look there first instead of taking chemicals. Grandmothers were the best as they still knew all these “secrets” I am happy that slowly but surely people turn back to nature also because scientists discover all the benefits to be found there.Wishing you good health and thank you for the visit.
Regards, Taetske
Glenys
Thank you for this information on Cinnamon. I actually didn’t know that there were two main species of Cinnamon. I usually buy my spices from the supermarket and I usually just buy based on the label or based on if it’s in a glass jar or in a throw-a-way packet.
I actually didn’t know that there were different levels of quality or grading involved at all.
I do know that honey and cinnamon offer the most AMAZING health benefits. You have to remember that modern medicine is really only a post world war 2 experience, our ancestors all relied on food for their medicine.
I did not know that cinnamon could improve learning. This is great to know because I am learning everyday… so any edge that I can get is warmly welcomed.
Thanks for sharing.
Taetske
Good afternoon Glenys,
Thank you for your visit. I was a bit shocked when I found out about the difference in cinnamon. To think that in the US the bad one is mainly used is not good news at all.I told Juan in the spice shop about it. He now only sells the good one from Ceylon. Every day I put a big spoon of cinnamon in my coffee. I think I am getting more clever the older I get, that is a joke of course!
Yes, I agree, modern medicine has a very short history.
Especially when one compares it to the thousands of years of our ancestor’s reliance on nature for their health.
Regards, Taetske
Chris
I looked into the subject of cinnamon about 12 months ago as I had fallen ill suddenly, and found out I had a severe irregular heartbeat condition.
Anyway, I was looking into natural foods and spices that were good for the heart, and a health blogger had pointed out that not all cinnamon strains were actually good for the heart.
Really glad I stumbled upon your article today as you’ve managed to explain the differences in more detail – great read.
Taetske
Good evening Chris,
Nice to see you again. Thank you for your comment.
It is very important to investigate even if something is natural. A lot of things imported from China are not ok. Their laws on pesticides are a lot less severe than in Europe. The U.S. is poisoning itself and it is a real scandal what people are given there. Not always but often something which is cheaper sadly is not better or of at least equal quality.In the case of Cinnamon, it pays to take the more expensive one. That is why one has to be informed as we are responsible for our own health. I hope you are ok again.
Regards, Taetske
Henry
Hi! Thank you for writing this post. I had embraced as a fact that cinnamon was good and period. But now you have introduced me to a complete new idea.
Liver damage: you’re talking about serious health problems. I’ll check from here on and keep far away from this coumarin!
I love cinnamon, I’ll just be more careful from here on! 🙂
Taetske
Good evening Henry,
Nice to see you again. Thank you for leaving a comment.
Juan, who has a spice shop in my village now only sells the good Cinnamon. He was quite shocked when I told him about the difference.
Regards, Taetske
mzakapon
Hi Taetske,
This is very informative article about Cinnamon. My grand mother always used this spice almost in every recipe.when it is used in beef curry, it is delicious. Some time I also like it in my red and black tea. I would not even know so many benefit of it, if I did not read your article. Thanks for sharing a great article.
Taetske
Good afternoon Mzakapon,
Nice to see you again. Thank you for your comment.
I think I will try to put Cinnamon in the beef curry, love that dish, and see how it tastes. Thank you for the tip.
Regards, Taetske
Sylvia
thank you for this great article about Cinnamon where it comes from and its history.
I didn’t know that there are two varieties or qualities of cinnamon.
My husband takes cinnamon as a supplement for years now to keep its sugar level balanced.
It seems to work well and he feels good.
I wasn’t aware of that cinnamon also can improve learning abilities. This certainly sounds even better.
Thanks for this great information, appreciated.
Taetske
Good evening Sylvia,
Thank you for visiting my website and your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?
Do check if your husband is getting the good Cinnamon. Nice to hear you thought my post was informative.
Regards, Taetske
Kate
Wow, I never knew cinnamon could be bad for you! And I love the thing. I usually just grab whatever I found at the market. Next time, I’ll be more careful with it.
I put a couple of spoonfuls in my coffee every morning and I’ve noticed that I have more energy. I don’t know if it’s because I like it or because it does have this property, but in any case, it helps me.
Taetske
Good evening Kate.
Next time you go shopping do check you buy the good and not the bad Cinnamon. We are responsible for our own health. The good care we take of our body now will show when we get older.
Regards, Taetske
Kehinde Segun
Hi.
This has to be one of the most interesting piece I’ve come across today on internet. Is there any time frame that on when the test of use of Cinnamon for fast learning abilities would be conducted? You actually made mention how we can add Cinnamon to coffee for sweet taste, does that means we can replace the sugar with Cinnamon?
Taetske
Good evening Kehinde,
Thank you for your visit and leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?
As this has only been tested on mice I cannot answer your question about the time frame. I do hope that in the not too far away future tests will be conducted with humans to see if it can improve their intelligence to help their learning capacities. We will see. If I come across this information I will probably add it to this post.
I don’t think you will be happy using Cinnamon instead of sugar. As too much sugar is being eaten nowadays I will give you the link to one of my posts where you can read about good alternatives.
https://healthyantiagingalternatives.com/a-better-choice-natural-and-healthy-sweeteners
Regards, Taetske
Tsquare
Thanks for your educative piece about cinnamon. To be honest this is the first time I am hearing about this nutritious spice. The enormous work this spice is doing is priceless. I think when the scientists are trough with their research about how it helps sharpen the human brain and memory then it will also help our children a lot. Many children today are slow learners and this helps to solve the problem. Thanks for this article.
Taetske
Good evening Tsquare,
Thank you for visiting my website and leaving a comment. I hope you have downloaded your free PDF?
Nature has all we need, we only have to look and do research. I prefer natural things above man-made medicine which normally has a lot of side effects. I am happy to hear you found my post informative.
Regards, Taetske
Dave Sweney
I did not know that all cinnamon was not good for you. Actually, I was not aware that there were any benefits over the fact that I like to use lots of it on toast, in my french toast, in cakes, and of course my coffee (or cappuccino)…This was a very informative post in many ways.
For some reason, it is quite expensive here in Dubai, and we do not always know the source either (generic packaging does not reveal much). I will be asking the next time I buy a supply. My guess is that the Chinese variety is cheaper, but here, just because it has a higher price, it does not mean from a better source.
Using cinnamon has had no notable positive effect on my brain power, from what I can tell. As you say, the tests showing it can help mice who are poor learners, not ones that are good learners, so that is a good thing (unless I am too poor of a learner for it to help no matter how much I consume!).
Interesting article and I enjoyed the read. I always like to learn more about the foods I am eating. Especially when there is a case like this, where I need to be watching the sources to avoid health problems. Thanks!
Taetske
Good evening Dave,
All this Cinnamon has not improved your brain capacity, lol? I bet you have been using the Chinees one. It really is important to know what Cinnamon you put into your body.
Nowadays we have to be so careful with what we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and on top all the EMF which surrounds us. Not so easy to remain healthy.
Nice to see you again. Thank you for your comment.
Regards, Taetske
Israel
Thanks for your review of Cinnamon and its health properties! Much grateful! Kudos for specifying that Cinnamon originates from a tree and people get it as a ground powder! So far I’m the type of person that loves whatever is sweeter in taste, I would be glad if I can get the Ceylon cinnamon. I’ll earnestly begin research on how I can get it as soon as possible. Or is it available for sale on Amazon? Thanks for your response in earnest!Israel Olatunji
Taetske
Good evening Israel.
I think you missed the Amazon link to Anthonys Organic Cinnamon. They have a lot to choose from. Good to hear you found my post helpful.
Thank you for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?
Regards, Taetske
Clement
Thanks for providing this great and healthy content, From reliable history books the cinnamon was used by the Egyptians to embalmed their early kings.From the nutritional view it has a lot of advantages such as control of sugar level .Glad to know from your post that it helps regulate blood clothing. I don’t really know much about it side effects.
Taetske
Good evening Clement,
Good to hear you found my post helpful. Normally Cinnamon does not have side effects but the one from China does. That is why one should be careful to buy the good one from Ceylon.
Thank you for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?
Regards, Taetske
Sunny
I love cinnamon. It has so many health properties. I love it in any shape or form. Thanks for this great article. It is very important what is beneficial and what not when comes to our health and usage of natural products. I didn’t know that Ceylon cinnamon improves learning abilities. That’s great news!
Thanks for the information!
Sunny
Taetske
Good Morning Sunny,
Thank you for your visit and for your comment.I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.
When you compare natural remedies with modern medicine, it normally is those pills full of chemicals that have multiple side effects. Still, it does not exclude that natural products cannot have a negative effect too. As in this case with 2 types of Cinnamon. The Cassia Cinnamon can be dangerous when taken over a longer period of time. That is why you should be well informed about anything that might affect your health.
Regards, Taetske