Cinnamon is an aromatic and warming spice that is available in two forms – cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon.
There are two main types of cinnamon that are used in cooking today, although there are actually about a hundred different types of cinnamon tree in the world.
Cinnamon is the best-known spice for its culinary and medicinal properties. It is widely used in various industries due to its aroma.
Cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka and India and is found in tropical regions of the world.
Srilanka and India are one of the major producers and exporters of whole and powdered form of cinnamon.
Its Indian name is Dalchini, botanical name is Cinnamomum and family name is Lauraceae.
Nutritional value of cinnamon per 1 tsp:
Calories in cinnamon: total calories in 6.8 g of cinnamon is 17.
CARBOHYDRATES IN CINNAMON:
The amount of carbohydrates in a 1 tablespoon serving size is approximately 5.5 g.
DIETARY FIBER IN CINNAMON:
High percentage of fiber (3.6 g in 1 tablespoon).
PROTEIN IN CINNAMON:
The concentration of protein in cinnamon is relatively low.
CALCIUM AND IRON IN CINNAMON:
1 tablespoon of cinnamon is enough to get 14 percent of calcium and 31 percent of iron.
OTHER NUTRIENTS IN CINNAMON:
Vitamin C and A with minerals such as zinc, potassium, magnesium and manganese.
Therapeutic uses of cinnamon:
Cinnamon is probably the most well known medicinally for two main reasons. Cinnamon is firstly highly antiseptic Phenolic content secondly because it is a warming spice.
Therapeutically, cinnamon is primarily attributed to the treatment of diabetic patients (especially those with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes). Active ingredients (especially eugenol) help regulate blood sugar levels, thereby reducing complications associated with diabetes. You will surely be pleased to know that the antioxidant activity of cinnamon is very high. Due to its antimicrobial properties, eating foods cooked with cinnamon is effective in fighting bacterial and yeast infections.
Medicinal uses of cinnamon:
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CINNAMON:
The active ingredients in cinnamon spice are known to have antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiseptic, local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Spices contain many health-promoting essential oils, such as Eugenol, a chemical compound of the phenylpropanoid class that gives off a pleasant, sweet aromatic scent.
The cinnamic aldehyde in cinnamon sticks has been found to act against blood clotting.
Cinnamon helps increase digestive power by increasing gastrointestinal secretions.
Cinnamon has the highest antioxidant power. It also contains very good amounts of vitamin A, niacin, pantothenic acid and pyridoxine from all natural food sources.
Spices are also a very good source of flavonoids, phenolic antioxidants such as carotenes, zeaxanthin, lutein and cryptoxanthins.
The two components together produced remarkable results:
A teaspoon of freshly ground cinnamon and raw honey to taste and one at bedtime will restore hearing loss and cure arthritis.
Two tablespoons of cinnamon and mixed in Luke warm water with one tablespoon of raw honey cures bladder infections.
Honey and cinnamon paste with beard reduces cholesterol.
A teaspoon of honey mixed with cinnamon for fresh breath throughout the day.
Honey and cinnamon together are used to treat arthritis, prevent hair loss and bladder infections, aid in weight management, lower serum cholesterol, and help the immune system function properly.
How much cinnamon:
As diabetics, you can start using 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon about three times a day.
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