helath benefits of cinnamon

  • High Source of Antioxidants
  • Contains Anti-inflammatory Properties, Protects Dental Health & Freshens Breath Naturally
  • Protects Heart Health, Fights Infections & Viruses
  • Fights Diabetes, May Help Lower Cancer Risk
  • Helps Defend Against Cognitive Decline & Protects Brain Function

1. High Source of Antioxidants

Cinnamon is packed with a variety of protective antioxidants that reduce free radical damage and slow down the aging process; in fact researchers have identified forty-one different protective compounds of cinnamon to date!

The health benefits of cinnamon are attributed to the type of antioxidants called polyphenols, phenolic acid, and flavonoids.  These compounds work to fight the oxidative stress in the body, which can lead to disease formation when uncontrolled, especially as someone ages.

2. Contains Anti-inflammatory Properties


Because cinnamon lowers swelling and inflammation, it can be beneficial in pain management, with studies showing that cinnamon helps to relieve muscle soreness, PMS pains, severity of allergic reactions, as well as other age-related symptoms of pain.

3. Protects Heart’s Health

The special compounds in cinnamon are able to help reduce the total levels of cholesterol, LDL “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides, while keeping HDL “good” cholesterol remains stable. Cinnamon has also been shown to reduce high blood pressure, which is another possible threat that may lead to a heart disease or even a stroke.

And there are even more heart-related health benefits of cinnamon. Research shows that cinnamon is a helpful blood coagulant and prevents bleeding by helping the body to form blood clots.

Cinnamon also increases blood circulation and advances bodily tissue’s self-repair abilities after being damaged. This includes the heart tissue which is in need of regeneration in order to fight heart attacks, heart diseases and strokes.

4. Fights Diabetes

Cinnamon is known to have an anti-diabetes effect. It helps lower blood sugar levels and can also improve the sensitivity to insulin, which is the vital hormone required for keeping blood sugar levels balanced.

These benefits of cinnamon exist because it plays a role in blocking certain enzymes called alanines which allow for glucose (sugar) to be absorbed into the blood. Therefore, it has been shown to decrease the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream after a high-sugar meal, which is especially important for people with diabetes.

5. Helps Defend Against Cognitive Decline & Protects Brain Function

Research also shows that another benefit of cinnamon’s protective antioxidant properties is that they can help defend the brain against developing neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

One way that cinnamon protects cognitive function and brain health is because it activates some neuro-protective proteins that protect brain cells from negative mutations. This further reduces the detrimental effects of oxidative stress by stopping cells from morphing and self-destructing.

Finally, because cinnamon contains various antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce the effects of aging on the body and the brain.

6. May Help Lower Risk of Cancer

Because of its antioxidant abilities, cinnamon can protect against DNA damage, cell mutation, and cancerous tumor growth. Studies have revealed that the health benefits of cinnamon come from a compound called cinnamaldehyde, because of its ability to inhibit cancer tumor growth and protect DNA from damage, while also encouraging cancerous cells to self-destruct (i.e. cell apoptosis).

This is especially true about the colon; studies show that cinnamon can improve the health of the colon, thereby reducing the risk of colon cancer.

7. Fights Infections & Viruses

Cinnamon is a natural anti-microbial, anti-biotic, anti-fungal, and anti-viral agent. The immune-boosting abilities of cinnamon are found within cinnamon’s essential oils.

Cinnamon oils also have protective abilities against various bacteria which can cause negative symptoms in the digestive tract, on the surface of the skin, and can lead to colds or the flu.

Cinnamon is so powerful at boosting immunity that some studies even show that it may be able to reduce the risk of contracting the HIV virus.

8. Protects Dental Health & Natural Breath Freshener

In studies, the extracts found in cinnamon are shown to be protective against bacteria living in the oral microflora that could cause bad breath, tooth decay, cavities, or mouth infections. Cinnamon can be used to naturally combat bacteria in the mouth, acting like a natural anti-bacterial mouthwash.

9. Can Help Prevent or Cure Candida

Certain studies have concluded that cinnamon’s powerful anti-fungal properties may be effective in stopping or curing Candida overgrowth in the digestive tract. Cinnamon has been shown to lower amounts of dangerous Candida Albicans, which is the yeast that causes Candida overgrowth that can cause multiple digestive and autoimmune symptoms. Additionally, another health benefit of cinnamon is that it helps to control blood sugar levels, and excessive sugar within the digestive tract which is associated with increased Candida risk.

10. Benefits Skin Health

Cinnamon has anti-biotic and anti-microbial effects that protect the skin from irritations, rashes, allergic reactions and infections.

11. Helps Fight Allergies

Studies have concluded that people with allergies can find relief thanks to the benefits of cinnamon’s compounds. Cinnamon has been shown to be helpful in fighting common allergy symptoms because it reduces inflammation and fights histamine reactions within the body. For the same reason it can also help to reduce symptoms of asthma attacks.

Cinnamon also has immune boosting abilities and is beneficial for digestive health, which helps to cut down on auto-immune reactions that can take place after consumption of common allergen foods.

12.  Speeds Metabolism

As mentioned in the discussion on how cinnamon helps control insulin levels, the spice also has the ability to alter the metabolism of not only sugar, but of carbohydrates as well. Your body is better able to use your carbohydrate storage, so that they do not turn into excess fat. The consumption of cinnamon itself, also causes a metabolic reaction. Similar to when you eat hot peppers, the presence of cinnamon in your body allows your metabolism to speed up just because it takes a little extra energy to metabolise. This boost in metabolism allows you to burn more calories and assists you with weight loss in this way.

13. Helps to Burn Belly Fat

The consumption of cinnamon is claimed to impact abdominal fat more so than fat found in other parts of your body. This is often a problem area for many, so this is good news for those who have struggled to lose belly fat. Not only does it benefit your dress or pants size, but also abdominal fat is actually the most dangerous type of fat since it surrounds some of our most vital organs. For this reason, less belly fat is actually good for your overall health.

14. Suppresses Appetite

Cinnamon can actually slow down the process of moving food down into your stomach. This is a good thing for those attempting to lose weight because this activity will help you feel full for a longer period of time. In addition, the sweet nature of cinnamon can help alleviate a sweet tooth. Many times when you are on a weight loss diet, sweets are off limits, and therefore cinnamon can fill this void, so that you do not feel tempted to reach for high calorie desserts.

15. Controls Insulin Levels

Cinnamon has the unique ability to imitate the activity of insulin in the body. For those who are unfamiliar with the process of glucose metabolism, insulin is the chemical that helps your body regulate its levels of blood sugar (glucose). People who are more familiar with conditions like diabetes know that maintaining blood sugar levels is important as spikes that are either too high or too low can be especially dangerous. Even within non-diabetics, increased blood sugar levels can be problematic because they cause excess fat to be stored, making it harder for people to maintain or to lose weight. Cinnamon helps regulate your blood sugar levels, so this excess fat does not build up.