The 7 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a type of “super spice” rich in antioxidants. Research shows that it has 7 scientifically proven health benefits of cinnamon:

Lowering blood sugar

• Known for its blood sugar-lowering properties, cinnamon can reduce the amount of sugar that enters the bloodstream after a meal by slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates in the digestive tract, according to research published in 2020.
• A study published in 2022 says that cinnamon has beneficial effects on people with type 2 diabetes because it may mimic the effects of insulin to improve the uptake of sugar into cells.
• High blood sugar – what is known as hyperglycemia – can affect people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as pregnant women with gestational diabetes, according to NHS guidance.

Protects against heart disease

• Cinnamon consumption has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease, as research shows that 3/4 teaspoon taken daily was able to reduce levels of harmful cholesterol in the blood.
• Cinnamon has also been shown to reduce blood pressure when taken continuously for at least 8 weeks.
• Too much non-high-density lipoprotein, or “bad” cholesterol, causes fatty deposits to build up inside the walls of blood vessels, causing them to narrow over time and increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Slow down Alzheimer’s disease

• Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are characterized by a progressive loss of the structure or function of nerve cells.
• Some compounds in cinnamon have shown promising signs of inhibiting the buildup in the brain of a protein called tau, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a 2017 study.

Slow down the growth of cancer

• Medical studies reported that extracts from cinnamon reduce the growth of cancer cells and the formation of blood vessels in tumors.
• Animal studies have shown that this effect appears to be toxic to cancer cells, causing cell death, but more research is needed to evaluate the potential anti-cancer effects of cinnamon in humans.

Bacterial and fungal infections

• Laboratory studies conducted last year suggest that cinnamon oil can help kill some fungi that cause respiratory infections.
• It can also prevent the growth of certain bacteria such as listeria and salmonella, and an additional testing study showed that the spice may also help prevent tooth decay.
• Dentists said gum disease can lead to a host of deadly diseases affecting the heart, brain and lungs.

Protection from some viruses

• Some research suggests that cinnamon may help protect against certain viruses, such as influenza and dengue, a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes.