Cinnamon is a kind of spice that not only used in baking process but also quiet useful in medical and beauty treatment. The name Cinnamon comes from a species of trees. Cinnamon is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavoring additive in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savory dishes, breakfast cereals, snack foods, and traditional foods.
This spice has been turned to powder for treatment of respiratory illness, gynecological issue and digestive problems in ancient times and nowadays people use cinnamon oil for aromatherapy since it produces light, mildly spicy-sweet, and somewhat citrus aroma. So, there are many health benefits of drinking cinnamon water.
Nutrients on cinnamon
Cinnamon has a large amount on antioxidants. Besides that, it also contains essential oil called eugenol that brings sweet and pleasant aroma to cinnamon. Cinnamon have the rich source of ethyl cinnamate, linalool, cinnamaldehyde, beta-caryophyllene, and methyl chavicol. This spicy stick is an excellent source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc, and magnesium. While for vitamins, cinnamon is rich in vitamin A.
Types of cinnamon
There are over hundred of types of cinnamon in this world. However, only four types of cinnamon are used in the purpose of human’s life.
1. Ceylon Cinnamon
This type of cinnamon is called the “true cinnamon” or the “authentic cinnamon”, which is why many countries only refer this as the only cinnamon. The origin country of this cinnamon is Sri Lanka. Ceylon cinnamon tastes mild and sweet and what distinguish it from other cinnamon is its color. Ceylon is lighter to medium reddish brown than any other types of cinnamon. Compared to other types of cinnamon, Ceylon is more expensive. There are more Scientific Health Benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon.
2. Cassia Cinnamon
Another cinnamon which is more popular in Asia and North America is cassia cinnamon. Since, this cinnamon is easy to be produced and much more cheaper than Ceylon. Aroma that cassia has is stronger than Ceylon. The origin of this cinnamon is China. Rather than sweet taste, cassia produces bitter and spicy taste. It is dark reddish brown in color.
3. Korintje Cinnamon
The third type of cinnamon is called Korintje. Its country of origin is in Indonesia. The price is of course a lot cheaper than Ceylon. Korintje produces spicy and pungent taste. It is the second highest type of cinnamon that contains coumarin. Here are Health Benefits of Indonesian Cinnamon.
4. Saigon Cinnamon
Saigon comes from Vietnam. It is slightly sweet and spicy. It looks almost the same as Korintje since both has the same color. However, the aroma is spicier. Neither Saigon can be categorized as cheap nor expensive.
Cinnamon powder is proven good for losing weight. Using cinnamon in your diet Meal might be an easiest thing ever. Simply, sprinkle it in your oat or add some to your tea. You can also mix it with butter and spread it on your toast for breakfast. Another option is add it on fruit juices. Now, what we will learn is the health benefits of drinking cinnamon water.
1. Improving skin tone
Cinnamon in foods is known to improve skin tone. You can add a tablespoon of cinnamon to various foods in a day since it can provide us with a good source of fiber. Cinnamon eliminates waste products from the body and flushing out toxins. Also, it prevents them from clogging the skin to improve the perfect skin tone.
2. Solution to acne and other skin condition
Cinnamon powder have the ability against bacteria that causes acne in your face. Also, it heals other skin conditions. According to the studies, Cinnamon is the source of anti-parasitic, antifungal, antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Therefore, it is fine and safe for your sensitive skin.
3. Good for diet
What’s more health benefits of drinking cinnamon water? Rumors said that combining cinnamon tea and honey might be a best way for weight loss. Actually, rather than weight loss, the combination of both of them degrade our appetite; then, it may cause on losing weight. There are more than 5Â Benefits of Honey and Cinnamon for Weight Loss
4. Solution for cramp caused by menstruation
This is a big solution to the ladies. Mostly, ladies feel stress and depressed when they suffer from menstruation symptom. Good news for you, cinnamon which contains analgesic and anti-coagulate may reduce the pain. It may also helping in controlling heavier flow.
5. Increasing brain function
Scientifically, health benefits of drinking cinnamon water is good to boost concentration and focus. Thus, it has been used as a solution to prevent brain diseases; such as, Alzheimer and Parkinson for the older generation.
6. Toothache
Later, we know that cinnamon is actually a good solution on aching tooth. You can apply a paste of cinnamon powder and honey directly to the aching tooth and let it for a while before brushing your teeth.
7. Anti-carcinogenic
Research done to animal testing proved that cinnamon may be a good sources of anti-carcinogenic. The experiment proves that cinnamon slows down the growth of cancer cells. If this is applied to human, then we may believe that it will happen the same way.
8. Increase immune system
health benefits of drinking cinnamon water can boost the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral.
9. Improve hearing
The balance consumption of cinnamon helps restore hearing. So, you can believe now that there are many health benefits of drinking cinnamon water.
Another use of Cinnamon in the household
Despite the health benefits of drinking cinnamon water, there are many cinnamon uses for household gears:
1. Odor neutralizer
Oil from the cinnamon is proven good in killing bacteria that creates odor. Here are the way to create an odor neutralizer from cinnamon material-based. You just need to mix ten drops of cinnamon oil and two cups of water; then, spray it to sink, cabinets, restroom and ect.
2. Insect repellent
Oil from cinnamon can be used on head lice and effective in killing ant, mosquitoes, cockroaches and so on.
3. Oil for massaging
Cinnamon is well known to relieve stressed joint and muscles since it contains anti-inflammatory substances.
Aware of Cinnamon
Cinammon offers tons of health benefit toward human’s body. However, excessive doses of consumption can cause a fatal impact to our health. The lists below are several side effect for over consuming it.
1. Increase body temperature
According to Chinese’s ancient medical system, consumption of high dosage of cinnamon can increase the body temperature and it could lead to fever if the body heats over a long time.
2. Harm toward pregnant lady and nursing mother
Doctors often suggest that pregnant women should not consuming cinnamon powder or oil, since it may cause early contraction of uterine muscles that could lead to premature labor.
If you are a nursing mother, you must avoid consumption of cinnamon powder as well as its oil for cinammon may be allergic to the baby as it might pass through the milk. It is better to completely avoid cinnamon in any kinds of food and beverage if you are pregnant or breast feeding. In addition, consuming vitamin A is good for pregnancy. Here are Benefits of Vitamin A during Pregnancy.
3. Not recommend for diabetic
Although, cinnamon may be good in regulating the blood sugar levels. Aware that it may drastically reduce the levels of glucose in your blood. Â Stop consuming cinnamon if you had planned a surgery before since fluctuation of blood sugar might be life threatening. You should know the Types of Diabetes.
4. Accumulation of toxic
Quite surprising that coumarine which cinnamon contains may increase toxicity in human’s body. However, not all types of cinnamon has coumarine. The only cinnamon that is free from coumarine is Ceylon cinammon.
Recommendation intake
If you are consuming it for diabetic purposes, better consume 1 to 6 grams per day. Never consume more than that, since it is not good to consume cinnamon excessively.
Besides that, Ceylon cinnamon is healthier since it contains low level of coumarine compared to Cassia, Korintje and Saigon. Ceylon has 190 mg/kg of coumarine, while Cassia contains between 700 mg/kg to 12,230 mg/kg.
Recipes of tea Cinnamon
- Cinnamon tea latte
Material:
- 4 cups water
- 4 cups coconut milk
- 8 tea bags
- 1 teaspoon stevia leaf
- 8 slices fresh ginger root
- 6 cinnamon stick
- 8 cloves
- 1 tsp of vanilla
Steps:
- Use a crock pot and put all of the spices inside
- Cook on high heat for 2 hours or on low heat for 6 hours. Add milk or coconut milk and stir
- Now, you can serve it hot or cold by putting some ice on it.
- Cinnamon sore throat tea
Materials:
- 1 Â cup (240 ml) milk
- 1/2 teaspoon. (3 ml) cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) powdered ginger
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
Steps:
- Heat the milk on low heat. Add cinnamon and ginger. You may add honey to sweeten it. However, it just a option. If you prefer sugarfree then don’t add the honey.
Those are the benefits of drinking cinnamon water for our health. Although cinnamon is useful to our daily life, we might consider the risk of consuming it in a huge dosage as well. In addition, you have to know how long the cinnamon stick lasts, never consume any rotten cinnamon stick. Usually, cinnamon stick can last two to three years. However, ground cinnamon only lasts six to twelve months. You have to be extra careful since spoiled food always cause a bad health risk toward us.