Cinnamon is a small tree that grows in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, and Egypt. It’s one of the oldest known spices. To prepare it, the bark of the cinnamon tree is dried and rolled into cinnamon sticks, also called quills. Cinnamon can also be dried and ground into a powder.

Besides using it in cooking, cinnamon has health benefits. The naturally sweet taste can reduce sugar intake.

Cassia cinnamon is used for colds, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, and painful menstrual periods. It also improves energy, vitality, and circulation. Cinnamon is used as a remedy for diabetes, indigestion, and colds.

One of the most popular benefits of cinnamon is that it lowers blood sugar and fight diabetes. A systemic review of cinnamon revealed that it reduces fasting blood glucose, reduces hemoglobin A1c levels, increases circulating insulin levels, and was protective against diabetic neuropathy.

Research shows that cinnamon lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol as well as triglyceride levels, making it excellent for prevention of cardiovascular illness. In connection with this, the exact blood pressure-lowering mechanism of cinnamon is still unknown. But the results of studies in animals have indicated that cinnamon regulates blood pressure levels through peripheral vasodilatation.

Cinnamon is truly a wonder spice – sweet, aromatic and healthy.

Reference:

1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14633804
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22536283
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10077878
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16190627