10 Things You Didn’t Know About Cinnamon

Cinnamon might conjure up ideas of Christmas with its festive scent, but it’s also a tree that has many uses fit for humans. Its bark can be rolled up and used for various different things, crushed into oils used in potions and disinfectants, or ground into powder to be added into recipes. Although it’s most commonly used in these ways, there are a lot of surprising benefits of using cinnamon that are a little less known.

1. Diabetes

Several studies have linked cinnamon to lowering blood sugar levels. The research shows that increasing consumption of cinnamon helped to cut cholesterol by about 18% and blood sugar levels by 14%, which in turn helps to control the symptoms of diabetes.

2. Weight-Loss

Whilst cinnamon helps to lower blood sugar levels, it also helps to speed up the metabolism, which in turn aids in your weight loss journey here at Bodyline.

3. Anti-Inflammatory

Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat symptoms of swelling, arthritis, muscle pain, allergies and heart problems, so by putting a sprinkle of it into your recipes you may start to notice improvements in these conditions.

4. Treats Common Cold

The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of cinnamon also help to treat the common cold by slowing down bacteria growth.

5. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

This is a condition that can cause weight gain, thin hair and pelvic pains due to a hormonal imbalance in the body. Although cinnamon can’t completely eradicate the problem, it has properties that will help to manage and control the symptoms.

6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS causes bacteria to grow in the large intestine, leading to diarrhoea, bloating and tummy aches. Cinnamon helps to ease this with its antibacterial properties.

7. Combats Bad Odours

The sweet smell of cinnamon can help to get rid of foul odours by acting as an air freshener. It’s often used in aromatic oils and room fresheners, as the antibacterial factors leave your room smelling great and free of germs!

8. Healthy Skin

Antibiotic properties in cinnamon help to prevent skin from breaking out in acne, rashes and other skin infections. It also promotes skin to produce collagen, which will help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

9. Preservative

Cinnamon’s antifungal property, eugenol, helps to increase the shelf life of products by restricting the growth of fungi and bacteria. It can therefore be added to foods if you want them to last longer.

10. Insect Repellent

The smell of cinnamon is repulsive to mosquitoes, bugs and flies, and therefore any cinnamon scented fragrance will be an effective aid to keeping them away.

So, if you weren’t already using cinnamon in any of these ways, get to the shops and see what cinnamon products can help you along in your day-to-day life today!