Cinnamon Types and the Health Benefits of Cinnamon

We are going to review the cinnamon types, their history, and the health benefits of Cinnamon. Cinnamon has stood the test of time not just as a spice, but as a very sought-after trading item, giving many countries power. It is also a potent antioxidant that supports metabolic and heart health.

The History of Cinnamon

It was first imported to Egypt in 2000 B.C. and was used for medicinal purposes as well as part of their embalming process. The Romans used cinnamon as a flavoring in wines, as a fragrance and in beauty products.

Cinnamon, as well as Cassia, are also mentioned throughout the bible. Moses was commanded to use cinnamon as part of his holy anointing oil, and Solomon made reference to it in proverbs as the sweet spice of love. Maybe that is why, for Valentine’s Day, they make cinnamon hearts. During biblical times, it was also used as an incense during temple rituals. In Medieval times, the health benefits of cinnamon were recognized and it was used as a general remedy for treating ailments from coughs to arthritis.

Cinnamon Types – Cassia vs Ceylon

There are two basic types of cinnamon: cassia cinnamon and ceylon cinnamon.

Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticum or Chinese / Vietnamese cinnamon) is one of the cinnamon types and is primarily produced in China and Indonesia. It is less expensive and has a stronger taste and smell than Ceylon cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon is the most sold cinnamon throughout the USA. It is said that a stick of cassia cinnamon cannot be broken by hand, which is one way to tell what type of cinnamon you are using.

Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is produced in Sri Lanka. It is more expensive and has a milder and sweeter flavor. Cinnamon sticks made from Ceylon cinnamon are easy to break.

It is known that cassia cinnamon contains more coumarins than ceylon cinnamon, and people using high amounts of cassia cinnamon should be aware that coumarins can be toxic to the liver, kidneys, and thin your blood. If you are going to use cinnamon on a daily basis, it is recommended to use Ceylon. While both varieties offer many of the same health benefits, their chemical composition differs slightly.

The Many Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Both Ceylon and Cassia cinnamon contain beneficial plant compounds that help support metabolism, gut health, healthy blood sugar levels, and the body’s natural inflammatory response.

• Reduces bad cholesterol and triglycerides
• Regulates blood sugar – Dr. Richard Anderson, Ph.D., found that compounds in cinnamon improve the body’s ability to use insulin to improve blood glucose levels.
• May be an effective pain reliever for arthritis
• May be effective for menstrual pain and infertility
• Promotes Blood Circulation.
• Great antifungal properties due to its content of cinnamaldehyde
• Awesome Antibacterial properties
• Great Antioxidant that also benefits gut health
• Great for stomach issues because of its carminative, stomachic, and tonic properties
• According to a comparative study, cinnamon essential oil is more beneficial than clove essential oil for its ability to inhibit bacteria causing dental plaque. Hmm, maybe that is why it is widely used in mouth washes and tooth pastes. Another amazing health benefits of cinnamon.

I personally enjoy adding cinnamon to oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt, herbal tea, apples, and chia pudding. Whether you choose Ceylon or Cassia cinnamon, this ancient spice is a delicious way to add flavor and beneficial plant compounds to your diet.

References: https://www.ceylon-cinnamon.com/Identify-Cinnamon.html
PubMed ” Comparative study of cinnamon oil and clove oil on some oral microbiota.” By C Gupta, A Kumari, AP Garg, R Catanzaro, F Marotta
Medical News Today “What are the Health Benefits of Cinnamon” by Joseph Nordqvist