Cinnamon (দারচিনী)

Spice

Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon is used in both sweet and savoury foods. The term "cinnamon" also refers to its mid-brown colour.

Cinnamon was a precious spice in the west during 14th -15th centuries and its’ primary use was to preserve meat and to retard the growth of bacteria.   The quest for cinnamon was a major factor which led to exploration of the world in 15th century. By that time the real cinnamon was produced in only one place, namely in Ceylon or Sri Lanka. Anyone who had the control of the supply flow would have made profits immensely. Portuguese traders made their way to Ceylon in the 15th century, enslaved the natives and had the control of the trade from Arabs. Soon the Dutch displaced the Portuguese and gained the control of the cinnamon monopoly. It was the Dutch who took a massive effort to boost the production by domestication of crop and expanding extent in the areas they had the control. Because of that effort cinnamon cultivations were

moved to Western and Southern coastal belts of the island. Since 1815 the British took the control of the island and cinnamon trade too was moved to their hands. By this time the relative importance of spices in the world market had been declining due to the emerging plantation crop sector of tea and rubber, which restricted the further expansion of cinnamon.

Cinnamon bark is largely available in the form of quills. Quills are made by rolling the pealed bark and join several of them together to get a pipe like structure in the required length. Other than that pieces of bark are available as chips, quillings or featherings. Cinnamon is unique plant which has essential oil in leaves, bark and roots but chemical composition of them are completely different from each other. Essential oils are produced from both bark and leaves; major chemical in bark oil is Cinnamaldehyde and in leaf oil Euginol. Cinnamon is also available in pure ground form or as n ingredient in curry mixtures and pelleted form too.
Cinnamon is mostly used in cooking and baking. Cinnamon is a versatile spice which can be added to any food item such as salads, confectionaries, beverages, soups, stews and sauces. Cinnamon drink made by immersing pieces of bark in hot water is popular among Latin American countries. Cinnamon flavored tea is becoming popular. It is also used as a common ingredient in Chinese ad Aurvedic medicine. Cinnamon leaf and bark oils are used to flavor food products, in perfumery industry and in pharmaceutical industry.

Nutrition Facts Cinnamon

Amount Per 1 tbsp (7.8 g)

Calories                                                19

% Daily Value*

Total Fat                                               0.1 g       0%

Saturated fat                                         0 g          0%

Polyunsaturated fat                              0 g        

Monounsaturated fat                           0 g         

Trans fat                                              0 g         

Cholesterol                                         0 mg      0%

Sodium                                                 1 mg      0%

Potassium                                           34 mg    0%

Total Carbohydrate                             6 g         2%

Dietary fiber                                       4.1 g       16%

Sugar                                                    0.2 g      

Protein                                                 0.3 g      0%

Vitamin A            0%          Vitamin C             0%

Calcium 7%          Iron        3%

Vitamin D            0%          Vitamin B-6         0%

Vitamin B-12      0%          Magnesium        1%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Here are 10 health reasons to love this super spice:

1.    Cinnamon may help treat Type 2 diabetes.

Numerous studies show that cinnamon regulates blood sugar, making it a great choice for diabetics and hypoglycemics alike. That’s also great news for anyone who wants stable energy levels and moods.

 While it’s true that there’s no cure for Type 2 diabetes, cinnamon can be an effective tool in managing the disease.

According to Lori Kenyon Farley, a Certified Nutrition Consultant specializing in wellness, fitness and anti-aging and one of the experts behind Project Juice, cinnamon can help manage this disease in two different ways. “It can reduce blood pressure and have a positive effect on blood markers for those with Type 2 diabetes,” she explains. Cinnamon can also reduce insulin resistance, which, Farley explains, “has been shown to lower fasting blood sugar levels by up to 29%, which can reduce the instance of Type 2 diabetes.”

Shane Ellison, MS, a medicinal chemist and founder of the Sugar Detox, explains how exactly this works. “(Cinnamon) works directly on the muscle cells to force them to remove sugar from the bloodstream, where it is converted to energy,” he says. “It’s even shown to work better than most prescription meds.”

The key is in increasing insulin sensitivity in the body, a sensitivity that, while present at birth for those without type 1 diabetes, slowly decreases as we age and consume more sugar. As a result, sugar floats around in the blood, causing diabetes and other health problems. “Cinnamon, which is completely non-toxic, repairs the receptors so they are once again responsive to insulin,” Ellison explains. “In time, sugar levels normalize due to an increase in insulin sensitivity.”

Add to this the fact that cinnamon has a naturally sweet taste that is devoid of sugar, making it a great addition to foods like plain yogurt as a dessert or snack, and you’ll soon see why we suggest it as a staple for the pantries of those with Type 2 diabetes.

2.      It reduces LDL cholesterol levels.

LDL is also known as the harmful cholesterol. Reducing it may help reduce the risk of

cardiovascular disease. Even if you do not suffer from diabetes, you may want to include cinnamon in your diet for many of the same reasons as those who do.

As Carina Parikh, MScN, MSiMR, the holistic nutritionist for Kate Naumes ND Holistic Wellness in Dallas explains, the positive impact on Type 2 diabetes symptoms is due to a number of factors, notably “improving serum glucose, lowering fasting blood glucose, and reducing triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol.” These are all benefits that can help even those not suffering from diabetes, including those with hereditary cholesterol worries or problems.

“(Cinnamon) also raises HDL (the “good”) cholesterol,” she explains. HDL cholesterol helps remove LDL cholesterol from the body.

And that’s not all. “Regular intake of cinnamon may also help to mitigate the effects of high-fat meals by slowing the increase in blood sugar post-meal,” says Parikh. This means that when cinnamon is added to your diet, the effects of occasional high-fat choices may not be quite as detrimental to your health as they would otherwise be.

3. Cinnamon has antifungal, antibacterial, and even antiviral properties.

It has natural anti-infectious compounds. In some studies, cinnamon has been effective against ulcer-causing H. pylori bacteria and other pathogens. However, there have been mixed results in other studies, so more research is needed. Cinnamon has been proven to fight fungal, bacterial, and viral elements in foods, thus preventing spoilage. It’s no surprise that in the Middle Ages, when food spoilage was far more frequent due to lack of refrigeration, many recipes, both sweet and savory, were flavored with the spice.

But these properties of cinnamon do not extend merely to the foods cinnamon seasons. Consumers of cinnamon can benefit from these properties as well, according to our experts, who say cinnamon can be used as part of a treatment for anything from lung problems to the common cold.

Denise Baron, a wellness educator and director of Ayurveda for Modern Living explains that cinnamon can help with all sorts of lung congestion issues. “It helps clear up mucus and encourages circulation,” she explains, thus lending its powers to everything from a simple seasonal cough to bronchitis, when used in tandem with other remedies.

But perhaps the most surprising use of cinnamon is in combatting viruses, and not just the common cold. “Research shows that cinnamon extract may help fight the HIV virus by preventing the virus from entering cells,” says Parikh. “Therefore, cinnamon extract could potentially contribute to the management of HIV.”

4. It may reduce pain linked to arthritis.

Cinnamon has been shown in studies at the Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Korean Hospital, to reduce cytokines linked to arthritic pain.

5.  Cinnamon may have anti-carcinogenic properties.

Many superfoods are attributed with anti-carcinogenic properties, but it’s important not to jump from super food to super power. Parikh explains why it’s important not to get carried away.

“Evidence suggests that cinnamon may have anti-carcinogenic effects as well, although the research thus far is limited to animal studies,” she says. “These experiments demonstrate that cinnamon extract slows the growth of cancer cells and induces cancerous cell death.”

If these properties do extend to humans, then cinnamon may in fact be able to slow growth and kill cancerous cells. And even if these properties do not extend to a cure or treatment for cancer in humans, other characteristics of cinnamon, including the presence of antioxidants and free radicals, can contribute to its possible anti-carcinogenic effects.

Research at the University of Texas, published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer, shows that cinnamon may reduce the proliferation of cancer cells, holding promise for cancer prevention and sufferers of the disease.

6. It is a natural food preservative.

7. Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties.

Consumption of cinnamon can reduce both systemic and specific inflammation. The former is particularly important in the Western world, according to Parekh.

She says that in the West, “Systemic inflammation is a prominent problem that has led to the rise in chronic disease.” By adding cinnamon to a regular diet, this systemic inflammation can be reduced significantly.”

Specific inflammation reduction means that consumption of cinnamon can help treat certain types of pain and headaches, as well as arthritis pain. It plays a double role in this particular type of pain, according to Baron, as cinnamon can also boost circulation. “With circulation problems such as Raynaud’s syndrome or arthritis, this helps stimulate and push circulation to the joints,” she explains.

It contains fiber, calcium, iron, and manganese—albeit small amounts to the typical dose of ground cinnamon.

8.  It’s been proven effective for menstrual pain and infertility. 

Cinnamon contains a natural chemical called cinnamaldehyde, which studies show increases the hormone progesterone and decreases testosterone production in women, helping to balance hormones.

9. Cinnamon can help treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Cinnamon holds promise for various neurodegenerative diseases, including: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, and

meningitis, according to research at the Cytokine Research Laboratory, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas.  Their research shows that cinnamon reduces chronic inflammation linked with these neurological disorders. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases are two neurological conditions that, for the moment, are incurable. An enormous part of treating these diseases is therefore in symptom management, and this can be boosted with the addition of cinnamon to a regular regime.

“Cinnamon has been shown to help neurons and improve motor function in those suffering from Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s,” explains Farley. These contributions can help sufferers of these two diseases continue their regular routines with far less impediment.

10 Cinnamon can help manage PCOS.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a problem with numerous symptoms that need to be managed, and cinnamon can be a key element of this management due to a number of characteristics.

First would be the management of insulin resistance in women with PCOS, which can contribute to weight gain. “A recent pilot study found that cinnamon reduced insulin resistance in women with PCOS,” explains Parekh, extending cinnamon’s recommended consumption from diabetes sufferers to anyone with an insulin resistance problem.

“Cinnamon can also help mitigate heavy menstrual bleeding associated with common conditions of female health, such as endometriosis, menorrhagia, and uterine fibroids.”

Not a health benefit, but a great reason to love cinnamon—it’s versatile. It works with sweet and savory dishes alike. Consider that many curries and savory Moroccan dishes include cinnamon. It’s not just for apples anymore!

Cinnamon and Honey Recipe

The cinnamon and honey combination is popularly used for:

1) Improving body metabolism

2) Weight Reduction

3) Lowering Cholesterol level.

4) Type II diabetes or pre-diabetic condition, regulating blood sugar levels.

MIRACULOUS WEIGHT LOSS CINNAMON DRINK

Instructions:

1. Dissolve a teaspoon of cinnamon powder (or ground cinnamon) in a cup of boiling water.

2. Stir and cover to let the cinnamon steep for 20 to 30 minutes. (Shorten the waiting time

 if you prefer a thinner drink.)

3.Filter away any big particles and add a teaspoon of honey. (The cinnamon residue can also

be consumed, but removing it helps to make a much more palatable cleansing drink.

Downing a cup of spicy, chalky suspension with an empty stomach first thing in the

morning is not an easy feat for all. But if you don't mind drinking with the residue at all, reduce

the amount of ground cinnamon and use just half a teaspoon of it.)

4.Take it in the morning with an empty stomach about half an hour before breakfast. Repeat for a few weeks to see results.

Apple Cinnamon Water Detox Drink Recipe

Ingredients:

1 apple thinly cut, better to take a fragrant variety.

1 stick of cinnamon

apple slices

Preparation:

place in a jar and fill it with clean water. Place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
The combination of apple and cinnamon improves metabolism, reduces the weight

 by the withdrawal of excess fluid from the body.

A Powerful Drink Which Melts The Pounds Away

This detoxifying, energetic drink stimulates the metabolism, helps with weight loss and

gives energy. The best thing about it is that you can prepare it in only a few minutes.

Ingredients:

2 apples

2 cinnamon sticks

1 l water

Preparation and consummation:

After washing the apples, cut them in slices. Put the slices in a glass bottle, together

with the cinnamon sticks. Fill the bottle with water and leave it in the refrigerator during

 the night. You will have your ideal drink in the morning.

Drink the water during the day, and then fill it with fresh water on the following evening.

Repeat this for three days. On the fourth day use new apples and cinnamon. The ideal

detoxification doesn’t last for more than 35 days, after which you can have a 10-day break,

and repeat the process again.

Drink Banana and Cinnamon

This common spice is abundant in health benefits. Apart from its nice flavor and aroma, it also helps your body to relax. Plus, it’s highly beneficial for your digestion.

Ingredients:

1l water,

1 banana,

a pinch of cinnamon.

Directions:

Cut off the banana ends and boil them into 1l water. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Strain the liquid into a teacup or mug.

Add the cinnamon to improve the taste and boost the health benefits.

Drink one hour before bedtime.