Cinnamon is one of the most highly consumed spices in the world. It is mainly produced in Madagascar, Seychelles, China and Sri Lanka.
Young shoots from the cinnamon tree are harvested for their bark. The inner bark of the cinnamon tree is dried in the sun and rolled together into sticks.
Cinnamon can be purchased in the rolled “cinnamon sticks” or in ground form.
Not All Cinnamon is Created Equal
There are two main types of cinnamon, Ceylon and Cassia.
Ceylon is also known as “true” cinnamon.
Cassia cinnamon is the form that is most readily available.
Ceylon cinnamon is preferred type of cinnamon as it contains less of the potentially harmful compound coumarin.
Cassia cinnamon is know to contain larger amounts of coumarin. Consuming large amounts of coumarin has been linked to liver damage and increased risk of cancer.
Cinnamon and Your Health
Cinnamaldehyde is the compound in cinnamon that is thought to benefit health.
Small clinical studies have shown numerous health benefits of ceylon cinnamon. These include:
- High antioxidant potential
- Anti-inflammatory action
- Improving blood sugar control
- Decreasing levels of “bad cholesterol”
- Decreasing blood pressure
- Decreasing gingivitis
- Potential role in the treatment of neurological disease such as Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
- Possible role in cancer protection
- Antibacterial properties
- Antifungal properties
- Antiviral properties
- Prebiotic
- Antiaging
- Wound healing
Here are some simple ways to start incorporating cinnamon into your diet.
- Steep in a tea.
- Sprinkle onto fruit such as peaches, apples or pears prior to grilling or baking.
- Combine with other spices such as allspice, cloves, cardamom, clover and peppercorn for a variety of seasoning blends.
- Add to vegetable dishes such as winter squash, eggplant, tomatoes and sweet potatoes.
- Make a marinade for chicken or lamb.
Check out some of my recipes and start cooking with cinnamon!
This article is for information purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult with your medical provider prior to any lab testing, diet changes or new supplement/medication.
Do you live in TX, CA, GA, NC or OH? Looking to improve your health through culinary medicine? Message me for information about my consultation services. @neversayneverwellness@gmail.com
References:
Singletary, Keith PhD Cinnamon, Nutrition Today: 1/2 2019 – Volume 54 – Issue 1 – p 42-52 doi: 10.1097/NT.0000000000000319
Goel, B., & Mishra, S. (2020). Medicinal and Nutritional Perspective of Cinnamon: A Mini-review. European Journal of Medicinal Plants, 31(3), 10-16. https://doi.org/10.9734/ejmp/2020/v31i330218
Natural Medicines Database. Ceylon Cinnamon. Accessed May 2021
Farrimond, S. 2018. Spice. First Edition. Penguin Random House. New York, New York