10 Reasons to Add Cinnamon Powder to Your Diet for Better Health

Introduction:- Hailing from a tree called Cinnamomum, cinnamon has been used in traditional medicinal practices for ages. Though the heavy, rich fragrance of cinnamon and its sweet, spicy flavor are what make millions around the world fall in love with this spice so much for cooking purposes, much is left to be told about this spice beyond the kitchen: everything that a person will have to do to benefit from this spice will be to consume as little as a gram of the Cinnamon powder. Still, care will have to be undertaken since overconsumption may result in harm caused by this spice in the body.

Health Benefits of Cinnamon Powder

1. Antioxidant Property Cinnamon is a powder rich in antioxidants, specifically polyphenols, which help kill free radicals in the human body. Free radicals are harmful molecules that cause aging and disease; thus, antioxidants neutralize them. Persistent consumption of cinnamon powder helps enhance a person’s body to be resistant to various diseases.
2. Anti-inflammatory Effects Chronic inflammation is the common cause of many diseases, like heart disease and arthritis. Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for reducing body inflammation. Daily intake of as low as one gram of cinnamon powder can reduce your markers of inflammation, which can lower your risk for chronic diseases.
3. Improves Insulin Sensitivity: Cinnamon will help improve the level of insulin sensitivity for type 2 diabetes patients, where it supports the body’s function to have more use of insulin, which in return lowers the blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that even with a small amount of cinnamon, it can decrease the level of fasting blood sugar and raise hemoglobin A1c, which is used in indicating the control of long-term blood sugar levels.
4. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels Cinnamon improves insulin sensitivity but also lowers blood sugar through a variety of effects. For example, it hinders the entry of glucose into the bloodstream following meals by interfering with digestive enzymes, and lowering the intake of carbohydrates may also contribute to slowing the rate of digestion. Taking moderate amounts of cinnamon may thus help maintain healthy blood sugar levels for those with diabetes or prediabetes.
5. Promotes Heart Health Cinnamon has been established to reduce heart disease-related risk factors, which are among the prime causes of death in the world. Intake of cinnamon powder decreases the levels of total cholesterol, LDL or “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides while maintaining the “good” HDL cholesterol levels. A small daily dose of cinnamon may become necessary in improving heart health and minimizing the risk for cardiovascular diseases.
6. The antimicrobial properties of cinnamon make it a good remedy to counter against some bacterial and fungal infections. Traditionally, cinnamon oil is used as a medicine to treat infections and wounds. Consume cinnamon powder for combating any microbial imbalances within the body to help induce supportiveness for better health and immunity within the gut.
7. Cinnamon can help with weight loss as it stimulates metabolic rate and reduces appetite. In addition, cinnamon regulates blood sugar levels, thereby preventing sudden spikes and crashes that tend to lead to hunger and overeating. You may receive little weight management advantages by incorporating a spoonful of cinnamon powder into your everyday diet.
8. Improves Cognitive Function Other research has shown that cinnamon may have neuroprotective properties: it protects the brain and cognition. Studies show it enhances memory and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. More evidence is required; however, there is promising evidence for potential cognitive benefit when consuming the spice regularly.
9. Promotes Digestive Health Cinnamon has been one of the traditional medicines for digestion since the earliest times. It can spur digestion and alleviate discomfort when it helps the right breakdown process within the digestive system. Even a small amount of cinnamon powder can make a difference when placed in meals or teas to ease digestive woes.
10. Helps in Managing the Conditions of PCOS Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder causing weight gain, and even more so causing irregular menstrual cycles, or even making some patients resistant to insulin. According to some study results, cinnamon can improve the sensitivity of the cells toward insulin, weight, and menstrual cycles in women affected by PCOS.

Medicinal Uses of Cinnamon Powder

Cinnamon powder is widely applied in traditional medicines for various healing properties. 

Treat Cold and Flu: Due to cinnamon’s warming and antimicrobial properties, it is traditionally used for the treatment of cold and flu-like symptoms. Blended into cinnamon tea or a teaspoon of cinnamon powder dissolved in warm water with honey for a sore throat, it is both soothing and infection-fighting.
Anti-Nausea: Cinnamon is one of the best treatments available for nausea and vomiting, even in the smallest doses.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Type 2 diabetics take supplements of cinnamon to regulate their blood sugar concentration, typically at about one gram daily.
Pain Medication: Cinnamon has been used as a pain reliever for arthritis besides helping to soothe soreness in muscles.
Menstruation: Some women take cinnamon tea or powder to help alleviate menstrual pains and cramps for its anti-inflammatory action.

Side Effects of Cinnamon Powder

While cinnamon does have numerous benefits to your health, you must also be aware of its content in your diet. 

Liver Damage: Cinnamon contains a chemical compound called coumarin, which can be poisonous to the liver if large amounts are consumed. Coumarin-safe intake levels vary up to 0.1 mg/kg for body weight. Cassia cinnamon popularly known is higher in coumarin content than Ceylon; hence, the latter is applied for medicinal use.

Allergic Reactions: It can cause allergic reactions to some, these include rashes on the skin, itching, or respiratory issues. Therefore, it would be advisable to test before including cinnamon in your daily activities.

Mouth Sores: Overuse of cinnamon powder, particularly with raw or unprocessed ones, triggers mouth sores or irritation caused by its content, cinnamaldehyde. Dilute cinnamon with water or mix it with food to avoid the irritation caused by its spice.

Interactions with other drugs: Cinnamon interacts with some drugs, mainly with diabetic and heart medicine. Before starting the supplements with cinnamon when on prescribed drugs, consult your health care provider.

Low Blood Sugar: Cinnamon lowers the sugar level of patients. So, patients being treated with anti-diabetic drugs should keep a strict check on blood sugar levels to avoid hypoglycemia.

Conclusion of Cinnamon Powder

An amount of one gram of cinnamon powder in a day will give much more health-beneficial properties, ranging from heart conditions to blood sugar regulation. Yet, one should not forget the side effects produced by this ingredient, such as damage to the liver and allergic reactions, all the more so when one intakes it in a large quantity. Consult a medical practitioner before using it as any medicinal supplement to know if it’s safe and applicable to your particular need.