Cinnamon is a popular spice found in everything from snickerdoodles and gingersnaps to baked goods like cookies and cakes, oatmeal, and chai lattes. But it’s more than a staple baking ingredient—it has health benefits that go far beyond making your food taste better.
It’s an antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory nutrient that may help keep your immune system strong and your brain healthy. It also helps reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Several studies suggest that cinnamon helps improve your insulin sensitivity. This can make it easier for your body to control blood sugar levels, reducing your risk of developing diabetes or other health problems.
Another study found that cinnamon helped reduce your risk of developing colon cancer. It activated detoxifying enzymes that were present in your colon, which helped prevent cancer from growing there.
While the exact effects of cinnamon on your gut aren’t known, it’s believed that its anti-inflammatory properties can ease digestive discomforts and promote weight loss by reducing appetite.
You can sprinkle a little cinnamon on coffee, tea, baked goods, yogurt, or in oatmeal to sweeten your dishes without adding extra sugar—but be sure not to overdo it. Too much can cause hypoglycemia, which is very low blood sugar that may cause symptoms like dizziness and feeling tired.
There are two kinds of cinnamon—Ceylon and cassia—and each comes with its own unique benefits. Cassia, the more common variety, is inexpensive and easy to find in grocery stores. It has a stronger flavor and is 95% oil-based, which gives it a spicier flavor than Ceylon.
It’s not a good idea to use a lot of cinnamon, though, because it can interfere with other medicines and health conditions. It’s best to talk to your doctor before you begin using it.
Those with diabetes should be especially careful with the amount they consume. Too much can send you into hypoglycemia, which is a dangerous condition that causes very low blood sugar and can even lead to fainting and other serious side effects.
If you’re taking medication for diabetes, you should talk to your doctor before consuming any cinnamon supplements. They could interact with certain drugs you are currently taking, including antibiotics, blood thinners, and heart medicine.
There are also some people who have allergic reactions to the compound cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon. They may have mouth sores, swelling of their tongue or gums, and itching and burning in the throat. They can also experience a cough or wheezing, and their eyes may water or become itchy.
In addition, coumarin, which is the main component of the spice, can also cause allergic reactions in some people. This compound is found in both types of cinnamon, so if you have allergies to other things or don’t tolerate cinnamon well, talk to your doctor about using a smaller dose.
In addition, the antioxidant properties of cinnamon are thought to reduce your risk of developing dementia and other brain disorders. These antioxidants help prevent free radical damage, which can lead to memory loss and other neurological issues. They also help limit oxidative stress, which can lead to Alzheimer’s.