Many people love cinnamon in their pastries or beverages as cinnamon may be used in a wide variety of sweet and savory meal recipes. Along with its flavor, cinnamon’s aroma is brought by the essential oil that makes a percentage of its composition. On the other hand, the pungent taste is sue to the cinnamic aldehyde or cinnamaldehyde, which becomes dark in hue when combined with oxygen. Aside from being a spice, cinnamon is packed with several health benefits.
Anti-Diabetes
Despite a sweet and pungent taste, cinnamon can help regulate blood sugar level. According to a study published on PMC US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, cinnamon can increase insulin sensitivity and glucose transport. While insulin resistance is an issue in consitions like type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrme, cinnamon extract-treated rats have demonstrated considerably higher glucose infusion rates as compared to the control group. It is further revealed that the cinnamon extract prevents the progress of insulin resistance and an aqueous extract has proven to enhance insulin sensitivity in humans.
Anti-Heart Disease
Aside from diabetes, cinnamon can also benefit people against heart diseases. In a statement, through Women’s Wellness, Holistic Wellness nutritionist Carina Parikh, MScN, MSiMR said that cinnamon raised high-density lipoproteins or good cholesterol which helps eliminated low-density lipoproteins or bad cholesterol from the body. Parikh also mentioned that improving serum glucose, reducing fasting blood glucose, decreasing triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were factors that impacted the symptoms of diabetes type 2. She also advised that regular intake of cinnamon might help mitigate the effects of high-fat meals by slowing the increase in blood sugar after meals.
Antibacterial
Just like the antimicrobial properties of honey, cinnamon also has the same properties, which allow it to fight infection. According to Cinnamon Vogue, both cinnamon bark and cinnamon leaf oil have powerful anti-bacterial agents, which make them great natural disinfectants. In addition, the oil has the highest antimicrobial process among various oils in terms of intraction with microorganisms like Escherichia coli, Penicillium digatatum, Apergillus oryzae, and Staphylococcus aureus. As per the publication, cinnamon oil can be mixed with hydrogen peroxide and used as a spray for cutting boards or kitchen sinks.
A study published on PMC US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health also found that cinnemaldehyde found in cinnamon bark oil was effective against microbes like Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes. In addition, it is revealed that the activity of the oils from cinnamon can be linked with that of carvacrol, eugenol, and thymol, which have similar actions against the tested microorganisms. It is further recommended that the the materials could be natural alternatives to prevent growth of bacteria in various food products.
Sample Recipe
The sample recipe reveals the ingredients and procedure for Cinnamon Rolls. According to All Recipes, the ingredients include two teaspoons ground cinnamon, a cup of milk, half cup butter, a cup of water, a tablespoon of active dry yeast, half cup butter, two cups sugar, a cup of white sugar, a package of cream cheese (softened), a teaspoon of salt, a tablespoon of butter (softened), two eggs, half teaspoon of vanilla extract, six cups of all-purpose flour, and three tablespoons of milk.
To prepare, the milk is warmed in a small saucepan until it bubbles. And then, it is removed from heat. After that, the butter is mixed in and is stirred until melted. Next, water is added and is let to cool until lukewarm. Then, the milk mixture is combined with the eggs, flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Next, the remaining flour is stirred, half cup at a time, beating well per addition.
Once the dough has pulled together, it is turned out to a lightly floured surface and is kneaded for eight minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Then, it is divided into two pieces and each piece is rolled into a rectangles. The cinnamon and brown sugar are stirred together in a bowl and each piece is spread with half of the butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon mixture.
The rolls are cut into 12 slices with a sharp knife or dental floss and are placed onto the baking pan. Then, they are covered and allowed to rise for an hour until almost doubled. After that, they are baked for 20 to 25 minutes until they become golden brown. Finally, a mixture of sugar, cheese, vanilla, butter, and milk is spread over warm cinnamon rolls.
Overall, cinnamon offers a blend of taste and health benefits; thus, including it to dishes is a practice move. Moreover, boosting one’s health with nutrition through cinnamon is best achieved with regular exercise and adequate rest.
