Cinnamon
කුරුදු
The botanical name for "true" cinnamon is Cinnamomum verum, which belongs to the family Lauraceae. It is widely known as Ceylon cinnamon or Sri Lankan cinnamon, distinguished from common commercial "Cassia" cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticum).
If there is a spice that Sri Lanka is particularly famous for, it is undoubtedly be Cinnamon. “Ceylon Cinnamon” is world renowned for its notable qualities such as unique flavour, colour and aroma in comparison to Cassia. It has been a major spice in Ceylonese culture thousands of years, as a food preservative and later for its natural flavouring properties.
These thin brown pieces of bark emanate a sweet fragrance and are commonly found in bakery products, flavoured teas in meat preservation. It is not only an excellent mood elevator but also an acknowledged health promoting product. It believed to possesses medical properties to treat chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
As a notable Ceylonese export product, Ceylon Cinnamon it is exported in its natural form and as a processed product. It is converted into value added tablets, powder and oil to the global market.Sri Lanka ranks in the top, as the source of 90% of the Ceylon Cinnamon exported around the world.
Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. Some research suggests that it may help you manage blood sugars, protect against heart disease, and reduce inflammation. Cinnamon is a spice that has been ranked top among the plants with medicinal properties for thousands of years. Cinnamon contains almost no protein or fat and won’t play a big role in your overall nutrition, but a teaspoon of ground cinnamon does include lot of trace elements, many vitamins and phytochemicals.
About 6 calories
About 0.1 gm of protein
About 0.03 gm of fat
About 2 gm of carbohydrates
About 1 gm of fiber
About 26 mg of calcium
About 11 mg of potassium
About 3 mcg of beta-carotene
About 8 IU of Vitamin A
Cinnamon doesn't just spice up the flavour of your food and drinks it has many health benefits. Some research shows cinnamon may be good for people with diabetes. A review of 18 studies suggests that cinnamon might lower blood sugar. But it did not affect haemoglobin A1c, which is a sign of overall blood sugar levels. It may also lower cholesterol in people with diabetes. Many of the studies do not say what type of cinnamon was used or have other problems that make their findings uncertain. One review suggests the benefits of cinnamon for weight loss and obesity. It is sometimes used for irritable bowel syndrome or other stomach or intestinal problems. But it isn’t clear that it works.
Cinnamon contains potassium, magnesium and calcium. Potassium helps to counteract sodium’s effect on blood pressure and controls the heart rate. Potassium is also involved in nerve function. 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 osteoporosis.
In addition, cinnamon can provide other health benefits like:
Anti-inflammatory
Cinnamon is an effective anti-inflammatory agent. 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.
Cancer prevention
Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels to feed tumours. One of the keys to treating cancer is to stop angiogenesis. A study showed that cinnamon can slow down or hold off angiogenesis, cell growth, and cellular signaling. This suggests that cinnamon could be a tool in preventing or treating cancer.
Antibiotic properties
The compound cinnamaldehyde is responsible for cinnamon’s distinct odour and flavour. This phytochemical also has proven widespread antibiotic effects. Cinnamaldehyde was tested against several bacteria and viruses, including staphylococcus, E. coli, salmonella, and candida. Researchers found that it was able to prevent these bacteria from growing.
Protection from oxidative stress
Cinnamon has a ton of antioxidants, like polyphenols. These can help your body avoid oxidative damage. The antioxidants in cinnamon are so strong that it can sometimes be used as a natural food preservative.
Experts have seen that taking cinnamon supplements can boost antioxidant levels in your blood as well as lower inflammation markers.
Heart disease prevention
Cinnamon could lower your triglycerides and your total cholesterol levels, which could help prevent heart disease. If you take supplements with at least 1.5 grams of cinnamon a day, it may lower your total cholesterol, LDL (or bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar if you have metabolic disease. It may also lower blood pressure if you consistently take it for 7 weeks.
Cinnamon also might help with:
Alzheimer’s disease
HIV
Tooth decay and allergies
