Cinnamon: Health Benefits, Types, Nutrition, Side effects, And More

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Cinnamon means in Hindi is Dalchini, which has many health benefits, and some side effects when you do not consume it the right way.

So this topic will tell you about cinnamon (Dalchini) health effects, cost, recipes, and more things.

1. What Is Cinnamon (Dalchini)?

Cinnamon is a spice whose flavor is added to many different dishes, like sweet dishes, snack foods, tea, and traditional foods.

And it is one of the oldest spices which has been used in ancient times and was brought into Egypt as early as 2000 B.C.

The antioxidants found in it are highly concentrated and the antioxidants present in it come to number 1 in all spices.

The aroma and taste of cinnamon derive from its essential oil and the major constituents Cinnamaldehyde, and several other compounds including Eugenol.

This spice is available in the form of Powder and Pieces of bark, people also use it as an essential oil, and supplement.

Dalchini is a very important medicine in traditional Ayurveda and In Chinese medicine such as sore throat, cough, etc.

2. Where Does It Come From?

Cinnamon comes from the bark of the tree, and this tree can go above 60 feet, which is a member of the Cinnamomum family.

Its native countries are the Caribbean, South America, and Southeast Asia.

In India, most cinnamon is located in Kerala state, and the ideal temperature for growing cinnamon is between 20-30°C and rainfall b/w 1250 to 2500 mm.

3. Types of Cinnamon

Basically, there are 2 types of cinnamon:

Ceylon cinnamon (True cinnamon): Its bark is thick, and around 90% of cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka and is sweet to taste and mild.

Cassia cinnamon (Chinese or common cinnamon): which bark is thin, and almost all Dalchini available in the market is cassia cinnamon.

Difference B/W Ceylon, and Cassia cinnamon

Before buying you should know its difference which will help you to find the true cinnamon.

Ceylon (True cinnamon)	Cassia (Common cinnamon)
Think paper roll look is Ceylon	The thick bark of cinnamon found in the market is cassis
Around 90% of Ceylon is found in Sri Lanka	Most cassia is found in southern China, and cassia is also found in Kerala
Very mild, and sweet taste	Very pungent, and a little bit spicy
	Cassia is cheaper than Ceylon cinnamon

NOTE: Never overcook Cinnamon especially if using it for medical purposes, and use it as a sprinkle on top of the dish.

4. Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Dalchini is one of the famous ingredients in food to give them a sweet taste, which has many health benefits which include:

Loaded with Antioxidants

It is rich in antioxidants compared to other spices, antioxidants are substances that protect your cells against free radicals.

In one study, the antioxidant activity of other spices was compared with the antioxidant activity of cinnamon, and the result was cinnamon was a clear winner.

Good for Diabetes patients

Some research suggests that Dalchini may be good for people with diabetes, by lowering blood sugar levels.

Over time it may also bring lower cholesterol levels in diabetes people.

Learn more about – Ways to prevent pre-diabetes, and diabetes.

Prevent Alzheimer’s disease

This disease affects the brain, and it begins with mild memory loss.

But research suggests an extract present in its bark called CEppt contains, properties that may prevent symptoms from developing.

Contain Anti-Inflammatory properties

It is a boon for people who have sugar problems, as well as good for heart health, and helps our body to fight against infection, and repair damaged tissue.

Additionally may lower the bad cholesterol level.

Learn more about – Yoga for heart health.

Other Benefits

• Help to cure Respiratory problems.
• Boost Immune system
• Cure Gynecological problems include Pcos and Pcod.
• Help in Weight loss

6. Let’s see – It’s Nitrition Facts

According to Nutritionvalue.org, 100 grams of ground cinnamon spice contain:

Calories	247
Total Fat	1.2 gram
Protein	4 gram
Dietary fiber	53 g
Sugar	2.2 g
Calcium	1002.00 mg
Iron	8.32 gram
Potassium	431 mg
Sodium	10 mg

It also carries vitamins A, D, B, and K, and beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein, cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin.

7. Recipes

As we know that cinnamon powder form is used as an aroma, and taste in many dishes which makes dishes sweet, and spicy.

You too can make some recipes at your home using it including:

Pancakes

• You can make pancakes out of it, Pancakes recipe – buttermilk, flour, baking soda, powder, cinnamon powder, and salt.
• After making it, you can put honey on it.

Toast

Simple -Take sliced bread, toast it with butter, and then sprinkled cinnamon powder on it. now your dish is ready to eat.

You can also add its powder with warm sleep.

Cinnamon Rolls

You can easily make its roll at home, with a few ingredients including – Sugar, milk, butter, baking powder, and Dalchini powder.

5. In What Ways We Can Consume It?

It is one of the most delicious and healthiest spices in the world, which is commonly used in sweet, and Namakeen, and you can consume it in 2 ways are:

1. Powder form: This form mixes easily with other foods, like – Tea, honey, etc, and most people like to consume it in this form.

NOTE: Always buy a stick, instead of powder in the market, because has been seen many times that there are adulterations in it like additional color, chemicals, and other tree bark.

2. Capsule form: It is like other medicines, which are safe in a moderate amount, and if you take diabetes, heart, and liver medicines, then the first talk to the doctor.

Because cinnamon capsules may interact with these medicines. it capsule is easily available on market.

8. Side Effect of Cinnamon

We know its benefits. however, it also has some side effects, which include:

It contains Coumarin, which is enough in moderate amounts, but too much coumarin can lead to liver issues, and affect coagulation.

If you already take any medicine then, first consult your doctor, then consume this, because it may interact with other medicines such as:

• Blood pressure medicines
• Diabetes
• Antibiotic
• Pain killer medicines

It also contains a Cinnamaldehyde compound which may trigger an allergic reaction.

9. Who To Avoid It?

Due to lack of evidence, pregnant women, and breastfeeding, women should avoid it, because it may bring lower blood pressure.

NOTE: Make sure, always consume it in small amounts.

10. FQA (Frequent Question Answer)

Why Is so Expansive?

The value of this spice was much higher than we thought in ancient times.

In Egypt, its value was more than gold, and In Rome, it was 15 times more expensive than silver.

NOTE: It is also so expansive because its cultivation takes place in some places and it takes many days and hours of hard work to make it.

How To Know Real And Fake Cinnamon?

Real	Fake
It was much expensive	It’s easily available at a cheap price
The powder of cinnamon it’s light brown in color.	The powder fake is dark in color
It’s very fragile it breaks very easily	It doesn’t break very easily
Easy to make powder at home	While with a fake one you can’t make powder at home it’s too hard.
The real one has many spiraled kinds of designs inside it.	While the fake one has a tunnel kind of hole inside it.

Daily use or long-term use can lead to headaches, digestive problems, and even liver issues.

Down Line

Cinnamon comes from the bark of the tree, and this tree can go above 60 feet, which is a member of the Cinnamomum family.

It is one of the oldest spices which has been used in ancient times and was brought into Egypt as early as 2000 B.C.

It is rich in antioxidants compared to other spices, antioxidants are substances that protect your cells against free radicals.