Health Benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon

Cinnamon is largely grown in South East Asian countries, like Sri Lanka, Sumatra, India, Java, and Bangladesh. Ceylon cinnamon, also known as true cinnamon, is one of the varieties of cinnamon. Its scientific name is Cinnamomum verum and it is native to Sri Lanka.

You should not confuse this variety with Chinese cinnamon or Cassia. These cinnamon sticks are manufactured from the inner bark of the trees belonging to the Lauraceae family.

Ceylon cinnamon has a large application in culinary activities, and is commonly used in preparing savories. It has a unique and warm aroma. If you chew a cinnamon stick it will taste more sweet than bitter. Ceylon cinnamon sticks are mainly marketed for household use, pharmaceutical industries, and as a spicing agent.

They are used to add a little spice to sweet dessert dishes, like ice creams, cakes, custards, creams, and puddings. These sticks are also known as quills or pipes, and have a uniform color and texture. They are categorized into seven grades varying in shape and size.

The quills are tightly rolled and are very fragile and delicate. Ceylon cinnamon sticks are also popular in Mexico and England.

• Ceylon cinnamon is rich in dietary fiber, iron, calcium, and manganese. The nutritional content of cinnamon helps in eliminating constipation and prevents deposition of bile. Doctors also say that a certain dosage of cinnamon helps prevent colon cancer.

• A teaspoon of this powder, when combined with honey, aids in losing weight. Cinnamon powder increases the metabolism of the body, and thus, it helps in active digestion and overall weight loss.

• One of the most pronounced benefits is to people suffering from Type 2 diabetes. Doctors often prescribe Ceylon cinnamon capsules to them, as it regulates the cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It is also known to lower the blood cholesterol level (LDL or bad cholesterol) that is harmful for the body.

• A research conducted and published in the African Journal of Food Agriculture Nutrition and Development, presented the view that cinnamon has the ability to improve the function of the brain. Scientists claim that smelling cinnamon boosts memory power.

• It has a wide application in the medical field thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It acts against foods that cause inflammation to the intestine. It also imparts an anti-inflammatory action against stomach ulcers, heart diseases, and joint pain.

• A study has shown that medicines containing cinnamon extracts ere effective against head lice and infections in the vagina caused due to yeast and bacterial invasion. Thus, we can infer that cinnamon actively shows anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, and antifungal activity.

Cinnamon oil contains phenylpropanoids, cinnamaldehyde, sesquiterpene and cinnamic acid. This composition makes it a wonderful essential oil; it also has anti-inflammatory properties. However, you should be careful while buying Ceylon cinnamon lest you confuse it with Cassia cinnamon. 

While on a cinnamon diet, you should consult your doctor regarding the correct dose. Organic Ceylon cinnamon is the purest form of the product derived from mature tree trunks, while the non-organic varieties are derived from quills.

If you purchase sticks, you can easily grind them at home in a blender or a coffee grinder. Make sure you consult your doctor before taking any kind of cinnamon supplements available at drug stores.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this story is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.