Cinnamon

Cinnamon The food category averaging the most My There are two main types: Ceylon and cassia, also known as Chinese cinnamon. In the United States, anything simply labeled “cinnamon” is probably the less-expensive cassia. Unfortunately, cassia contains coumarin, a compound that may be toxic to the liver at high doses. Unless it’s specifically labeled “Ceylon cinnamon,” a quarter teaspoon even a few times a week may be too much for small children and a daily teaspoon would exceed the tolerable upper safety limit for adults. Does switching to Ceylon give the benefits without the risks? Nearly all the studies showing The information on this page has been compiled from Dr. Greger’s research. Sources for each video listed can be found by going to the video’s page and clicking on the Sources Cited tab. References may also be found at the back of his books. Image Credit: GraphicStock. This image has been modified.

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston. Where Does Cinnamon Come From? Cinnamon comes from a variety of places, most commonly from Sri Lanka where it is native. Cinnamon trees also grow in other South Asian countries such as Myanmar, and along India's Malabar Coast. Cinnamon can also be found in South America and the West Indies, as well as China. How Is Cinnamon Harvested? To harvest cinnamon, the growers have to cut the shoots of the tree from the ground. The shoots are scraped, loosened, peeled and left to dry for four or five days, then rolled and tied tightly and placed in subdued sunlight. Once finished, the cinnamon is bleached with sulfur dioxide to get rid of contaminants like fungal diseases or pests, which does result in a lighter color. Then the cinnamon is sorted into types of grades for selling. Grades are based on the diameter of the cinnamon sticks (known as quills). For ground cinnamon, those sticks are then processed and packaged. Ceylon is referred to as Mexican cinnamon because it is commonly used in Mexican cuisine, but this type of cinnamon is actually native to Sri Lanka where it is commonly imported from. The cinnamon bark tends to be thinner and softer, has a lighter color,...

This flavorful spice is most often used in baking and desserts, but traditional Chinese and Indian medicine has relied on cinnamon’s health benefits for thousands of years. Cinnamon is valued as a treatment for diabetes and gastrointestinal problems. Health Benefits The vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds in cinnamon can provide important health benefits. Cinnamon contains Magnesium and calcium work together to maintain a healthy heartbeat. These two minerals are essential for skeletal health, preventing the weakening of bones, a condition called In addition, cinnamon can provide other health benefits like: Anti- Inflammation Cinnamon is an effective anti-inflammatory. Researchers tested the phytochemicals found in cinnamon and discovered antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In one study, certain cinnamon compounds also targeted free radicals with promising results. Diabetes Control Cinnamon has proven anti-inflammatory effects, which can help prevent the development of diabetes, but it has other protective effects as well. Cinnamon has the ability to improve insulin resistance, lower glucose levels, and reverse oxidative damage. Because of this, many scientists believe it could help treat Type 2 diabetes or even prevent its initial development. Cancer Prevention Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels induced by tumor growth. One of the keys to successfully battling cancer is the interruption of angiogenesis (the process in which new blood vessels for...

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. In addition to helping desserts burst with flavor, the ancient spice is also used in savory dishes, such as Some studies have also found that cinnamon can provide certain health benefits. Dietitian Candace O’Neill RD, LDN, shares why this versatile spice can boost the body — and some healthy ways to add cinnamon into your meal rotation. Is cinnamon healthy? Spices such as It has anti-inflammatory properties Herbs and spices often contain Cinnamon is also a staple of the It may help reduce blood sugar levels For decades, scientists have been looking into whether cinnamon can help people with However, cinnamon shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for more traditional treatment. In fact, the American Diabetes Association specifically May help reduce cholesterol Participants in the same study above also had improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels in addition to lower blood sugar. A separate However, because the amount of cinnamon in a dose varies — as does how long you take extra cinnamon — it’s not possible to say definitively that the spice can be used as a treatment to reduce high cholesterol. What kinds of cinnamon can you buy? When you’re looking for baking cinnamon, you’re most likely going to buy ground cinnamon found in your grocery store’s spice section. However, you can also buy cinnamon sticks or...

Cinnamon powder comes from the bark of tropical, evergreen trees. In order to harvest cinnamon, it’s peeled off of the inside of the bark of the tree. There are two main types of cinnamon: Ceylon and Cassia. The majority of the Ceylon cinnamon may sometimes be referred to as “true” cinnamon. But there’s some debate about whether or not that’s the case. Ceylon and Cassia are both cinnamon, but from different parts of the world and from slightly different types of trees. You’ve probably sprinkled cinnamon on foods like toast, rolls, and desserts. But cinnamon has uses other than for topping sweets, including improving your health. This article looks at the health benefits and side effects of eating cinnamon powder. Share on Pinterest Cinnamon’s medicinal purposes date back to ancient times. In the past, it was used to help treat a number of medical conditions, including: • respiratory illness • gynecological issues • digestive problems In more recent decades, it has shown promise as an anti-inflammatory and to help with improving cognitive function. Still, there hasn’t been enough scientific research done at this point to determine how much cinnamon is needed to help various conditions. Cinnamon and diabetes Some smaller studies have shown that cinnamon does have an effect on blood glucose levels in those with type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, there seems to be a different effect based on the type of cinnamon used. Cassia cinnamon has shown the most promise in controlling bloo...

Diabetes is a condition that affects blood sugar management, which can lead to long-term complications like heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage ( Treatment often includes medications and insulin injections, but many people are also interested in One example is cinnamon, a commonly used spice that’s added to sweet and savory dishes around the world. It provides many This article tells you everything you need to know about cinnamon and its effects on blood sugar management and diabetes. Cinnamon is an aromatic spice that comes from the bark of several species of Cinnamomum trees ( While you may associate cinnamon with rolls or breakfast cereals, it has actually been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine and food preservation ( To obtain cinnamon, the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees must be removed. The bark then undergoes a drying process that causes it to curl up and yield cinnamon sticks, or quills, which can be further processed into powdered cinnamon. Several different varieties of cinnamon are sold in the United States, and they are typically categorized into two different types ( • Ceylon: Also called true cinnamon, this is the most expensive type of cinnamon. • Cassia: This type is less expensive and found in most food products that contain cinnamon. While both types are sold as cinnamon, there are important differences between the two, which will be discussed later in this article. Summary Cinnamon is made from the dried bark of Cinnamomum tr...

Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the branches of trees of the Cinnamomum family. It is native to the Caribbean, South America, and Southeast Asia. People have used cinnamon since 2000 BC in Ancient Egypt, where they regarded it highly. In medieval times, doctors used it to treat conditions such as coughing, It is now the second most popular spice, after black pepper, in the United States and Europe. As a spice, cinnamon is available in powder form or whole, as pieces of bark. People can also use cinnamon essential oil and supplements. There are two main types of cinnamon: cassia and Ceylon. The two have different nutritional profiles. Some This article will look at the alleged health benefits of different types of cinnamon and how to include them in the diet. Share on Pinterest Cinnamon may have antioxidant properties that benefit health. Scientists have found evidence of some possible health benefits of cinnamon. These include: Improving fungal infections Cinnamon oil A 2016 laboratory study found that cinnamon oil was effective against a type of Candida that affects the bloodstream. This may be due to its antimicrobial properties. If further research confirms these findings, cinnamon oil could play a role in treating this type of infection. Influencing blood sugar levels Animal studies have shown that cassia cinnamon may reduce blood sugar levels, according to a 2015 The review also noted that after 60 people with However, according to the National Center for Compleme...