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If you think that the Cinnamon that’s sitting right at your spice rack has only one job in the entire world which is to spice your meals up. Then think again. Nowadays, people have been asking about Cinnamon, and its health uses, especially if this spice is teamed up with yet another miracle food, honey. A lot of people have claimed its effectivity, but, are honey and Cinnamon good really for high blood pressure?
What Exactly is Cinnamon?
Cinnamon is a common household spice which originated from several countries in Asia such as China and Sri Lanka. The reason for this is that Cinnamon, when added to the dishes, enforces a delicious strong flavor which boosts its taste. Cinnamon also has this naturally aromatic scent that provides ample relaxation to your mind when inhaled.
There are currently two classifications of Cinnamon: Cassia and Ceylon Cinnamon.
- Cassia Cinnamon
Commonly known as Cassia, is a type of Cinnamon that is used for meals to make them spicy. It originated from China and is currently the cheaper type of Cinnamon. It has a strong spicy flavor which really colors our food palette up.
- Ceylon Cinnamon
Known to many as a True Cinnamon, Ceylon is the ‘tamer’ version of the Cassia as it has a milder flavor than the Cassia. Aside from that, Ceylon also has a tinge of sweetness in it, making it an ideal ingredient for sweet pastries and baking.
Health Benefits of Cinnamon
Lower Cholesterol
One of the things that Cinnamon can greatly be of help is to lower the level of cholesterol within your body. If you often feel pain in your lower legs, or experience severe difficulty in breathing, you might be suffering from one. Diabetic and overweight people have a higher chance of having high Cholesterol that those who are not.
The good news about this is that Cinnamon can help you lower these alarmingly high cholesterol levels. A study on animals, regarding high Cholesterol and Cinnamon, showed that Cinnamate (a compound found in Cinnamon) has an ability to slow down the activity of the enzyme which is responsible for producing the HMG CoA reductase Cholesterol in our body.
Another study on animals have also been done, revealed that Cinnamon could also lower down the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (commonly known as MTTP) that will also result in a lower amount of LDL Cholesterol in our body.
In addition to that, the Cinnamaldehyde which can be found in Cinnamon is also another component that can help reduce the cholesterol level in your body. However, the reasons behind this mystery are still unknown to the researchers.
Reduce High Blood Pressure
Commonly known as Hypertension, High Blood Pressure is another yet health problem that a Cinnamon can treat. It helps you reduce your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure you may most likely feel chest pains, find it hard to breathe, and feel tired all the time. If this becomes unchecked and untreated, it may lead to a heart or a kidney problem.
and the answer is Yes.
Fortunately, Cinnamon contains a high level of iron, Calcium, vitamin K, manganese as well as dietary fibers which can greatly help lower down blood pressure and improve the circulation of blood glucose in your body. With Calcium that is present in Cinnamon, your blood pressure levels will be regulated as Calcium can act as a regulator in relaxing as well as contracting the blood vessels in your body. This means that low Calcium could lead to high blood pressure.
Studies that were conducted back in 2006 showed that Cinnamon was able to reduce the blood pressure of the rats who were suffering from severe hypertension. Although Cinnamon shouldn’t be posed as a replacement for your regular medication for hypertension, it should be able to help you deal with hypertension in a much easier way.
Lessen the Risk of Heart Disease
Honey and Cinnamon is a perfect combination, not only for our tongue and tummy but also to our entire system. Heart disease is yet another problem that both honey and Cinnamon can counter. Before we go any further, let’s clear something up, honey and Cinnamon can only reduce the risk, and cannot actually cure the existing ones, especially the severe ones. If that’s already clear, then let’s move on.
Both Cinnamon and Honey can put to revert the high-risk health signs of heart disease. This includes the alarming level of triglyceride and ‘Bad’ Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. It can also positively affect the people who have low levels of ‘Good’ High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol.
Studies have been conducted about consuming honey, which helped reduce the ‘bad’ LDL Cholesterol by at least 6% – 11%. Now, although the two have not been tested together, both Cinnamon and Honey have presented extravagantly positive results in their individual test. The reason for this is that both materials are packed with antioxidants. Which brings a lot of good things for your heart.
Ideal Type of Cinnamon for the Treatment
If you’re planning on using Cinnamon and Honey to help you regulate cholesterol and blood pressure in your body, it’s highly recommended that you don’t take more than a teaspoonful of Cinnamon Daily. In addition to that, you should also be wary of the type of Cinnamon to use in your treatment. Make sure that you use Ceylon Cinnamon and not Cassia as this Cinnamon contains Coumarin, a compound that can be toxic to your body if taken in high amount and dosage.
Another important thing is that, if you’re currently taking a blood-thinning pill or treatment, you should first consult your doctor as Cinnamon also has a blood-thinning agent.
Takeaways
Cinnamon is not your ordinary kitchen spice which sole purpose is to add flavor to your meals. It can do so much more than just that. It can lower down the Cholesterol in your body, regulate your blood pressure, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease. However, you should make sure that you’re using the True Cinnamon which Ceylon as this particular Cinnamon will not be able to harm our body, unlike Cassia.