Delicious cinnamon is a popular spice in both savoury and sweet dishes, but its value lies beyond flavour alone. Discover the top 6 benefits of cinnamon in our latest blog post.
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From sticky, sweet cinnamon buns to a warming Moroccan stew, cinnamon’s versatility in the kitchen has made it a firm favourite in many different cuisines.
This sweet, warming spice has been used for thousands of years. But before it became a beloved kitchen ingredient, cinnamon was prized for its health benefits and was used as a herbal medicine. Traditional uses include settling the stomach, keeping insects away, and even as a toothpaste.
Nowadays, we know even more about the benefits of cinnamon for our health and wellbeing. There are plenty of reasons to incorporate this delicious spice into your daily diet.
Here’s our list of the 6 most interesting benefits of cinnamon.
1. Blood Sugar Control
One of cinnamon’s most researched benefits is its effect on our blood sugar, which is particularly relevant for the treatment of diabetes.
Cinnamon appears to both increase insulin sensitivity and support the metabolism of sugar, leading to lower blood sugar levels. As a result, it may help us control our blood sugar and prevent levels from creeping dangerously high.
We use cinnamon bark as one of the main ingredients in our NutraGlycemia blend, which is aimed at supporting blood sugar management.
2. Anti-Inflammatory
Another reason cinnamon is so prized is its ability to act as an anti-inflammatory. It contains a flavonoid called cinnamaldehyde that gives cinnamon its flavour and scent. This compound also has many beneficial properties, including reducing inflammation.
Many chronic diseases are associated with inflammation, including rheumatoid arthritis. Cinnamon has traditionally been used to ease the symptoms of arthritis, such as swollen and painful joints. A warming spice, it also helps to support good circulation, which can again help with arthritis.
We combine cinnamon with another potent anti-inflammatory, turmeric, in our Turmeric & Cinnamon flagship tea.
3. Heart Health & Circulation
Cinnamon’s antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory properties also make it a great herb to reach for to support our heart health and circulatory system. Cinnamon is a vasodilator, which means it helps to widen our blood vessels and lower our blood pressure.
Plus, cinnamon helps to reduce our levels of LDL cholesterol. In turn, this could reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Find cinnamon as one of the ingredients in our NutraLipid tea, which is designed to help you manage cholesterol levels.
4. Anti-Microbial
It seems that cinnamon’s traditional use as a toothpaste is supported by modern science, as we now know that cinnamon is a powerful anti-microbial, helping to fight off bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It’s especially effective against the bacteria and fungi that cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Cinnamon’s anti-microbial properties also make it a great herb to choose during cold and flu season. Plus, the warming, homely flavour adds a comforting note to any herbal tea brew – just what you want when you’re feeling under the weather.
For extra comfort (and microbe-fighting properties) enjoy cinnamon as one of the ingredients in our Liquorice & Cinnamon herbal tea.
5. Natural Painkiller
We’ve already seen how cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory properties can help to combat the pain associated with inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. And its ability to reduce pain doesn’t stop there.
Cinnamon also helps to ease menstrual cramps and perineal pain after childbirth. It’s great for soothing a sore throat and may help to relieve lower back pain too.
If pain is making you stressed and sleepless, you might want to try cinnamon with other soothing herbs in our NutraRelax tea.
6. Digestive Health
When it comes to gas and bloating, cinnamon is one of our go-to herbs. It helps to relieve nausea, reduce flatulence, and settle an upset stomach.
Cinnamon can also be an effective treatment for diarrhoea, which is one of its uses in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Not only can it help to ease the symptoms, but its antimicrobial properties also help us fight off the pathogens causing the issue in the first place.
To support a healthy digestive system and keep bloating and gas at bay, try cinnamon in our NutraCleanse premium tea blend.
