Is Cinnamon Good For Health?

There are two types of cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon and Chinese cinnamon, which can be purchased as cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon for use in food. Many people enjoy the strong, spicy and sweet taste of cinnamon and thus it is frequently used in desserts and hot or cold cereals. In addition to its nutritional qualities, cinnamon has also been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a number of conditions. Ongoing research into the health benefits of cinnamon continue to shed light on how this familiar spice works in the body.

Phytochemicals

Cinnamon contains an array of powerful phytochemicals. The main phytochemical in cinnamon is cinnamaldehyde, a compound that has antimicrobial activity. Cinnamaldehyde can destroy viruses, bacteria and fungi.The cinnamalydehyde in cinnamon also inhibits inflammatory enzymes and slows or halts the inflammatory cascade in the body. Other phytochemicals in cinnamon include cinnamyl acetate, cinnamyl alcohol, limonene, alpha-terpineol, lutein, zeaxanthin, tannins and eugenol.

Antioxidant Activity

A 2004 study in the "Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry" found that cinnamon had stronger antioxidant activity than fellow dessert spices anise, mint, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg and licorice. This antioxidant activity may help assist wound healing and cancer prevention.

Cinnamon in Diabetes

Multiple studies conducted on the effect of cinnamon on blood glucose levels in diabetics have shown conflicting results. Many individual studies have shown a positive effect, such as a 2009 study in the "Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine," but a 2008 meta-analysis of five studies failed to find a correlation. Diabetics might not only benefit from cinnamon's ability to reduce blood sugar. In addition to its modulating effect on blood sugar levels, 2g of cinnamon taken daily for 12 weeks also reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with type-2 diabetes, according to a study published online in November 2010 in the journal "Diabetic Medicine."

Nutrients

Cinnamon is high in fiber -- 1 tbsp has 4g. Fiber is important for digestion and most adults need 25 to 35g per day. Cinnamon contains about 1.4mg of the trace mineral manganese,which is 68 percent of the recommended daily value. Other minerals in cinnamon include manganese, calcium, iron, potassium and zinc. Cinnamon also contains vitamins A, C, K, and niacin.

Concerns

For most people, the amount of cinnamon found in foods is safe, although some people may have an allergic reaction to the spice. Some people have experienced mouth lesions when using cinnamon-flavored products such as cinnamon gum. High doses of cinnamon, over 6g daily, may cause rapid heart rate, rapid breathing and excess perspiration.