Vietnam is the world's largest exporter of spices
Cinnamon spice is a valuable natural medicine with many health benefits, especially in supporting blood sugar reduction, reducing the risk of heart disease and preventing inflammation.
According to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association, our country will be the world's leading cinnamon exporter since 2022. The main export market for Vietnamese cinnamon is India, followed by the US, Bangladesh...
Cinnamon is not only a familiar spice in cuisine but also has many health benefits, recognized in traditional medicine and modern scientific research.
With its warm aroma and characteristic mild spicy taste, cinnamon has become an indispensable ingredient in many medicines and diets to support health.
Cinnamon has many health benefits. Photo: Getty
Cinnamon contains many natural compounds that are beneficial to health, notably cinnamaldehyde. This is the main ingredient that creates the characteristic flavor of cinnamon, along with powerful antioxidants such as polyphenols and eugenol. Thanks to these ingredients, cinnamon can bring about some of the following remarkable effects:
Support to reduce blood sugar
A study in the journalAnnals of Family Medicinehas shown that cinnamon has significant blood sugar regulating properties, especially in people with type 2 diabetes.
According to the study, participants who used 1-6g of cinnamon per day for 40 days saw a 3-5% reduction in blood sugar levels. This is a good sign for those looking for additional methods to control blood sugar.
Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
Research published inLipids in Health and DiseaseIt has been found that using cinnamon can help reduce LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).
Specifically, participants who took 120mg of cinnamon every day for 12 weeks reduced their bad cholesterol by up to 12%. This contributes to reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and stroke.
Prevent infectious diseases
Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants, especially polyphenols, which help reduce inflammation and support the immune system.
Research fromJournal of Clinical Medicineshows that polyphenol compounds in cinnamon have the ability to inhibit inflammatory responses in the body, contributing to reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as arthritis, Alzheimer's and some types of cancer.
How to use cinnamon effectively
To maximize the health benefits of cinnamon, you can use cinnamon in the following ways:
- Cinnamon powder: Mix 1-3g of cinnamon powder with warm water or milk to drink daily. Cinnamon powder can also be added to porridge and cakes to enhance flavor and nutritional benefits.
- Cinnamon tea: Use a small cinnamon stick or a spoonful of cinnamon powder, mixed with hot water. This is an ideal morning drink to help start the body, aid digestion and control blood sugar.
- Cinnamon essential oil: Use cinnamon essential oil to massage sore muscles or diffuse in the air to help relax the mind and improve blood circulation.
Notes when using cinnamon
Although cinnamon is very healthy, too much of it can be harmful. Coumarin, a compound in cinnamon, can be toxic if taken in high doses over a long period of time, especially to the liver.
Safe dosage: Limit to no more than 6g of cinnamon per day to avoid unwanted side effects.
Side effects: Some people may experience allergic reactions, stomach irritation or diarrhea when using cinnamon. Try starting with a small dose and observe your body's reaction. Pregnant women, people with liver disease or those taking medication should consult their doctor before using cinnamon./.
