Benefits of Cinnamon according to Ayurveda
Cinnamon is the most powerful and commonly found kitchen ingredient found in India. The distinctive flavor and fragrance of cinnamon is a delight and used in various culinary as well as medicinal purposes. The spice has been used by traditional Ayurveda as a medicine around the world for thousands of years. It is a great source of various antioxidants and antibiotic properties which makes it a great addition to your diet. To extract all the goodness of cinnamon you should soak the cinnamon stick in water and drink it on a regular basis.
Power pack antioxidant
Cinnamon is loaded with protective antioxidants that reduce free radical damage and slow downs the ageing process. It helps the body to fight infections and repair tissue damaging agents. A total of 41 different protective compounds has been found within cinnamon till date. The antioxidants help limit the nitric oxide build-up in the blood and prevent fat peroxidation, which can lead to brain disorders, cancer, heart disease, and other chronic situations. Cinnamon can be used as a part of a treatment for anything from lung problems to the common cold.
Relieves Inflammation
Consumption of cinnamon could reduce both systemic inflammation and arthritis pain and headaches. The antioxidants present in the spice help lower down the risk of heart disease, cancer, etc. Types of flavonoids are found in cinnamon which effectively fights with inflammation levels throughout the body. It is also beneficial in pain management, and decreases muscle soreness, lessens the high risk of allergic reactions, and also help age-related pains as well.
Effective in treating type 2 diabetes
The pancreas of type2 diabetes patients produces more amount of insulin to try getting glucose into the cells, but their cells, refuse to use the insulin and hence sugar builds up in the blood. There is no cure found for this metabolic disease, cinnamon is an important key ingredient to manage its symptoms. Cinnamon forces the muscle cells to remove sugar from the bloodstream where it is converted to energy. The non-toxic cinnamon repairs the receptors so that they become responsive to insulin and the level of sugar becomes normal.
Menstrual cramps
A study says women should drink a cup of warm cinnamon water every day it helps in experiencing less pain during menstruation for a short duration.
Takes care of heart
Cinnamons top health benefit is the ability to improve heart health. It reduces the most common risk factor for heart disease, including cholesterol level, high triglyceride level and high blood pressure which keeps your heart strong and healthy. It repairs tissue, which may be helpful in regenerating heart tissues to fight heart attacks, heart diseases and stroke.
Help to fight the HIV virus
Provides relief in allergic conditions
The antibiotic and antimicrobial property helps protect the skin from irritation, rashes, allergic reactions and infections. Applying cinnamon essential oil on the affected areas directly reduces inflammation, swelling, pain and redness.
Benefits brain
Neurotrophic factors increase if you consume cinnamon, it helps existing neurons in your brain to live and encourage new ones to grow. It boosts brain function and helps in preventing the development of neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Cinnamon helps block the build-up of a specific protein called tau in the brain to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It also protects neurons from the oxidative stress to reduce the risk of inflammation and damaging of cells.
Cinnamon is one of the most delicious and highly aromatic spices used to add flavour and aroma in dishes. However, it has exceptional medicinal properties, packed with antioxidants, ready to fight against the damaging agents preventing them to harm your body.