The spicy aroma of Christmas, which is also the smell of health

Cinnamon is available all year round. However, it is in the winter months that we reach for this beautifully fragrant spice. Cinnamon has a long and recognised history both as a spice and as a natural remedy. First of all, it is a great source of manganese, calcium and dietary fiber. However, athletes, diabetics, people who love sweets or suffer from cardiovascular diseases will benefit from health benefits in particular. You don’t belong to any of these groups? Maybe you want to improve your mental fitness?

The health-related properties of cinnamon will be particularly of interest to people with diabetes as well as those who find it difficult to refrain from eating sweets. Adding this aromatic spice to the dishes slows the emptying of the stomach, and thus slower appearance of food in the intestines. In practice, this means that the level of glucose in the blood increases gradually and steadily. Maintaining constant blood sugar levels is extremely important for diabetics. Avoiding sudden spikes of glucose in the blood perfectly supports hunger control and counteracts the appearance of sweetness cravings. Most importantly, you do not have to eat spoons of cinnamon. Researchers carried out a study with 300 g of rice dessert alone or with 6 g of cinnamon (about a teaspoon). The second group of subjects showed from 34.5 to 37% slower gastric emptying and a markedly reduced increase in blood glucose.

If you think that this is the end of benefits for people with diabetes flowing from cinnamon, you are seriously mistaken. Cinnamon does not only help controlling the appearance of sugar in the blood, but also helps the body react to glucose. This aromatic spice first stimulates insulin receptors to function properly, but it also inhibits enzymes that deactivate receptors.

We observe the properties of cinnamon not only for a moment after a meal. Studies show that people with type II diabetes who regularly add this spice to their dishes experience significant reductions in blood sugar. How much can you achieve? In one study participants were divided into six groups: 1 g cynamonu / day, 2 g / day, 3 g / day and three groups with 1 g, 2 g or 3 g placebo. After 40 days, even the smallest dose resulted in a 20% reduction in blood glucose. Looking at all cinnamon groups, we get a sugar reduction of 18 – 29%, 23 – 30% triglycerides, 7 – 27% LDL cholesterol, while no changes were observed in the placebo groups.

We already know the mechanism, but the question is what is behind the mechanism of these changes? From now on, not only people with diabetes should read this with interest, but also these that train regularly, as well as athletes. It turns out that skeletal muscles gain greater ability to absorb sugar from the blood. After 3 weeks of daily cinnamon dose, this is an increase of 17%. People with diabetes now understand what is happening with glucose from food, because it does not dissolve into nothingness … It simply travels to the muscles where it can be used. In contrast, athletes should also see an advantage for themselves. Better blood sugar collection results in the muscles having greater ability to work. In addition, muscle glycogen replenishment after training becomes much easier.

Cinnamaldehyde is a compound that scientists have devoted a lot of research to. The most important property of this aldehyde is to prevent the formation of blood clots. In the event of injury, platelets accumulate in the damaged area. And so they play an extremely important role in the coagulation of blood. However, their uncontrolled accumulation without a cause can lead to a life-threatening situation. It is here that we can see the invaluable property of cinnamaldehyde, as it prevents the unnecessary merging of platelets. As a result, the risk of heart attack and stroke is reduced significantly. In addition, our body functions better because blood flows freely in all blood vessels. Therefore, we have another advantage for athletes here: better blood circulation of muscle fibers increases our efficiency again, but this time with a completely different mechanism. Through effective circulation, we get not only more sugar, but also more oxygen.

We have something for health and for physical activity, and what about mental activity? From the research conclusions presented at the Association for Chemoreception Sciences conference, we learn that even the smell of cinnamon itself improves the efficiency of thought processes. During experiences, in particular tasks requiring great attention, memory linked to making associations, short-term memory and visual and motor reflexes have been improved. For explanation, the participants completed the tasks being subjected to four different factors: no fragrances, mint, jasmine or cinnamon scent. The best results, of course, have been achieved thanks to the cinnamon smell.

The fatty acids contained in this aromatic spice make cinnamon also known as an antibacterial and antifungal product. Scientists have tested these properties on many species of microorganisms. Many people will be particularly interested in the fact that cinnamon has proved effective in combating, among others Candida yeast. While the Candida strains were resistant to the popular fluconazole drug, cinnamon inhibited the growth of these yeasts. The effectiveness of the antibacterial properties of cinnamon is so high that it can be used as a preservative. From the study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology, we can learn that adding only a few drops of cinnamon essence to 100 ml of preserves stored in a cool place inhibits the growth of Bacillus cereus, a bacterium commonly found in food products that is also the cause of many food poisoning. This effect lasted for 60 days. In contrast, B. cereus actually flourished in the same products stored under the same conditions but without the addition of cinnamon essence.

One spice, and so many benefits… and in addition, so much aroma and pleasant associations with the festive atmosphere…