Cinnamon, an ancient spice, usually is regarded as the bark of the
Cinnamomum zeylanicum tree; it is also called as darchin in India and
Iran, canela in Protugal and Spain, cannelle in France and Zimt in
Germany. In the Middle Ages or earlier, cinnamon has already been
used as favorite flavor in food, wines, drinks, perfumes and fragrances.
Cinnamon has been believed to benefit diarrhea and other
gastrointestinal problems for years.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CINNAMON IN STUDIES
Cinnamon extracts have anti-oxidant activities.
Researchers from Brasil demonstrated antioxidant activities of various
cinnamon extracts using b-carotene/linoleic acid system, at 50 degrees
C and absorbance reading at 470 nm every 15 min intervals for 120
min. [11]
Cinnamon has showed benefits on the glycaemic control in rat studies.
In the early studies, cinnamon has been shown to potentiate the
insulin effect through upregulation of the glucose uptake in cultured
adipocytes. [7]
Researchers at Nagoya University, Japan, fed healthy male Wistar rats
with a high-fructose diet (HFD) for three weeks with or with cinnamon
extract. They then measured the in vivo glucose utilization by
euglycemic clamp technique. They found that early cinnamon extract
administration to HFD-fed rats would prevent the development of
insulin resistance at least in part by enhancing insulin signaling and
possibly via the NO pathway in skeletal muscle. [5]
Researchers in Pakistan divided 60 Type 2 diabetes patients into six
groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 consumed 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon daily,
and groups 4, 5, and 6 had placebo capsules. The patients consumed
cinnamon for 40 days. They found that all three levels of cinnamon
reduced the mean fasting serum glucose (18-29%) while no significant
changes in the placebo groups. [6]
German researchers treated 79 patients diagnosed diabetes mellitus
type 2 with either a cinnamon extract (3 g of cinnamon powder per
day) or a placebo capsule three times a day for 4 months in a
double-blind study. They found a moderate beneficial effect of
cinnamon extract in reducing fasting plasma glucose concentrations in
diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control. [1]
However, researchers from Netherlands did not found any
improvement in glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes by
cinnamon supplementation. In their study, they used a less common
species of cinnamon- Cinnamomum cassia, the duration of study was
only six weeks and the dose was also low -(1.5 g/d). [3]
Cinnamon showed benefits in triglyceride and LDL cholesterol lowering
effects.
Researchers in Pakistan noticed that patients with diabetes type 2
consumed cinnamon for 40 days. They had reduced mean fasting
serum glucose (18-29%), triglyceride (23-30%), LDL cholesterol
(7-27%), and total cholesterol (12-26%) levels. [6]
Cinnamon may have benefits of blood pressure lowering effects.
In a study of spontaneously hypertensive rats, researchers treated the
rats with sucrose and non-sucrose containing diets together with
various amounts of cinnamon, cinnamon extracts, or chromium. Diets
high in sucrose content were associated with insulin resistance and the
elevation of systolic blood pressure. Researchers found that addition to
diets of cinnamon (8% w/w) reduced the systolic blood pressure of rats
eating sucrose containing diets to virtually the same levels as
spontaneously hypertensive rats consuming non sucrose containing
diets. The addition of cinnamon into the diet also lowered the systolic
blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats consuming a non
sucrose-containing diet. Aqueous extracts of cinnamon also decreased
systolic blood pressure and lowered the circulating levels of
fructosamine. [2]
Cinnamon may have benefits of cutting cancer risks
Schoene NW and coworkers from USDA demonstrated the potential of
cinnamon extracts (polymeric polyphenols) to interact with
phosphorylation / dephosphorylation signaling activities to reduce
cellular proliferation (three myeloid cell lines) in tandem with a block at
the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. [4]
Cinnamon preparation shows anti-microbial and anti-infection activities.
Cinnamon oil has been shown to have anti-microbial activities against
some bacteria and yeasts. [13]
Five patients with HIV infection and oral candidiasis received a
commercially available cinnamon preparation for one week. There of
the five patients had improvement of their oral candidiasis. [14]
Does cinnamon have benefits on gastric conditions or related diseases?
Cinnamon extract (from methylene chloride) inhibited H. pylori at
concentration range of common antibiotics. Complete inhibition in vitro
was achieved by 50 microg/ml in egg yolk emulsion agar and by 15
microg/ml supplemented brain heart infusion broth. [10]
However, researchers from Bnai Zion Medical Center, Israel, concluded
that cinnamon extract, at a concentration of 80 mg /day as a single
agent, is ineffective in eradicating H. pylori from their study of 15
patients. Helicobacter pylori has been associated with the
pathogenesis of antral gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and gastric lymphoma.
[9]
SIDE EFFECTS OF CINNAMON AND ITS EXTRACTS
In a study of the effects of cinnamon extract on Helicobacter pylori, the
cinnamon extract was well tolerated, and side effects were minimal. [9]
Oral erythema multiforme induced by cinnamon has been reported. The
disease manifested itself as chronic extensive surface ulcerations and
lip swelling. The patient was treated repeatedly with topical and
systemic steroids but responded to them only temporarily. The patient
was cured when the offending agent--cinnamon--was eliminated from
her diet. [8] Fourteen cases of cinnamon-induced stomatitis were also
reported. [15]
A case of a 24-year-old woman who developed a squamous cell
carcinoma of her tongue following persistent and prolonged exposure
to cinnamon-flavored gum was reported. [12]
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY. YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH
YOUR DOCTOR FOR ANY MEDICAL ADVICE OR QUESTIONS. ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED 2008 ZHION.
REFERENCES [1] Mang B, et al, Effects of a cinnamon extract on plasma glucose,
HbA, and serum lipids in diabetes mellitus type 2. Eur J Clin Invest. 2006
May;36(5):340-4. [2] Preuss HG, et al, Whole cinnamon and aqueous extracts h
sucrose-induced blood pressure elevations in spontaneously hypertensive rats. J
Am Coll Nutr. 2006 Apr;25(2):144-50. [3] Vanschoonbeek K, et al, Cinnamon
supplementation does not improve glycemic control in postmenopausal type 2
diabetes patients. J Nutr. 2006 Apr;136(4):977-80. [4] Schoene NW, et al,
Water-soluble polymeric polyphenols from cinnamon inhibit proliferation and
alter cell cycle distribution patterns of hematologic tumor cell lines. Cancer Lett.
2005 Dec 8;230(1):134-40. [5] Qin B, et al, Cinnamon extract prevents the
insulin resistance induced by a high-fructose diet. Horm Metab Res. 2004
Feb;36(2):119-25. [6] Khan A, et al, Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of
people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2003 Dec;26(12):3215-8. [7] Qin B,
et al, Cinnamon extract (traditional herb) potentiates in vivo insulin-regulated
glucose utilization via enhancing insulin signaling in rats. Diabetes Res Clin
Pract. 2003 Dec;62(3):139-48. [8] Cohen DM, Bhattacharyya I.
Cinnamon-induced oral erythema multiformelike sensitivity reaction. J Am Dent
Assoc. 2000 Jul;131(7):929-34. [9] Nir Y, et al, Controlled trial of the effect of
cinnamon extract on Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter. 2000 Jun;5(2):94-7. [10]
Tabak M, et al, Cinnamon extracts' inhibitory effect on Helicobacter pylori. J
Ethnopharmacol. 1999 Nov 30;67(3):269-77. [11] Mancini-Filho J, et al,
Antioxidant activity of cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Breyne) extracts.
Boll Chim Farm. 1998 Dec;137(11):443-7. [12] Westra WH, et al, Squamous
cell carcinoma of the tongue associated with cinnamon gum use: a case report.
Head Neck. 1998 Aug;20(5):430-3. [13] Hili P, et al, Antimicrobial action of
essential oils: the effect of dimethylsulphoxide on the activity of cinnamon oil.
Lett Appl Microbiol. 1997 Apr;24(4):269-75. [14] Quale JM, et al, In vitro activity
of Cinnamomum zeylanicum against azole resistant and sensitive Candida
species and a pilot study of cinnamon for oral candidiasis. Am J Chin Med.
1996;24(2):103-9. [15] Miller RL, et al, Cinnamon-induced stomatitis venenata,
Clinical and characteristic histopathologic features. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral
Pathol. 1992 Jun;73(6):708-16.
Cinnamomum zeylanicum tree; it is also called as darchin in India and
Iran, canela in Protugal and Spain, cannelle in France and Zimt in
Germany. In the Middle Ages or earlier, cinnamon has already been
used as favorite flavor in food, wines, drinks, perfumes and fragrances.
Cinnamon has been believed to benefit diarrhea and other
gastrointestinal problems for years.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CINNAMON IN STUDIES
Cinnamon extracts have anti-oxidant activities.
Researchers from Brasil demonstrated antioxidant activities of various
cinnamon extracts using b-carotene/linoleic acid system, at 50 degrees
C and absorbance reading at 470 nm every 15 min intervals for 120
min. [11]
Cinnamon has showed benefits on the glycaemic control in rat studies.
In the early studies, cinnamon has been shown to potentiate the
insulin effect through upregulation of the glucose uptake in cultured
adipocytes. [7]
Researchers at Nagoya University, Japan, fed healthy male Wistar rats
with a high-fructose diet (HFD) for three weeks with or with cinnamon
extract. They then measured the in vivo glucose utilization by
euglycemic clamp technique. They found that early cinnamon extract
administration to HFD-fed rats would prevent the development of
insulin resistance at least in part by enhancing insulin signaling and
possibly via the NO pathway in skeletal muscle. [5]
Researchers in Pakistan divided 60 Type 2 diabetes patients into six
groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 consumed 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon daily,
and groups 4, 5, and 6 had placebo capsules. The patients consumed
cinnamon for 40 days. They found that all three levels of cinnamon
reduced the mean fasting serum glucose (18-29%) while no significant
changes in the placebo groups. [6]
German researchers treated 79 patients diagnosed diabetes mellitus
type 2 with either a cinnamon extract (3 g of cinnamon powder per
day) or a placebo capsule three times a day for 4 months in a
double-blind study. They found a moderate beneficial effect of
cinnamon extract in reducing fasting plasma glucose concentrations in
diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control. [1]
However, researchers from Netherlands did not found any
improvement in glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes by
cinnamon supplementation. In their study, they used a less common
species of cinnamon- Cinnamomum cassia, the duration of study was
only six weeks and the dose was also low -(1.5 g/d). [3]
Cinnamon showed benefits in triglyceride and LDL cholesterol lowering
effects.
Researchers in Pakistan noticed that patients with diabetes type 2
consumed cinnamon for 40 days. They had reduced mean fasting
serum glucose (18-29%), triglyceride (23-30%), LDL cholesterol
(7-27%), and total cholesterol (12-26%) levels. [6]
Cinnamon may have benefits of blood pressure lowering effects.
In a study of spontaneously hypertensive rats, researchers treated the
rats with sucrose and non-sucrose containing diets together with
various amounts of cinnamon, cinnamon extracts, or chromium. Diets
high in sucrose content were associated with insulin resistance and the
elevation of systolic blood pressure. Researchers found that addition to
diets of cinnamon (8% w/w) reduced the systolic blood pressure of rats
eating sucrose containing diets to virtually the same levels as
spontaneously hypertensive rats consuming non sucrose containing
diets. The addition of cinnamon into the diet also lowered the systolic
blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats consuming a non
sucrose-containing diet. Aqueous extracts of cinnamon also decreased
systolic blood pressure and lowered the circulating levels of
fructosamine. [2]
Cinnamon may have benefits of cutting cancer risks
Schoene NW and coworkers from USDA demonstrated the potential of
cinnamon extracts (polymeric polyphenols) to interact with
phosphorylation / dephosphorylation signaling activities to reduce
cellular proliferation (three myeloid cell lines) in tandem with a block at
the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. [4]
Cinnamon preparation shows anti-microbial and anti-infection activities.
Cinnamon oil has been shown to have anti-microbial activities against
some bacteria and yeasts. [13]
Five patients with HIV infection and oral candidiasis received a
commercially available cinnamon preparation for one week. There of
the five patients had improvement of their oral candidiasis. [14]
Does cinnamon have benefits on gastric conditions or related diseases?
Cinnamon extract (from methylene chloride) inhibited H. pylori at
concentration range of common antibiotics. Complete inhibition in vitro
was achieved by 50 microg/ml in egg yolk emulsion agar and by 15
microg/ml supplemented brain heart infusion broth. [10]
However, researchers from Bnai Zion Medical Center, Israel, concluded
that cinnamon extract, at a concentration of 80 mg /day as a single
agent, is ineffective in eradicating H. pylori from their study of 15
patients. Helicobacter pylori has been associated with the
pathogenesis of antral gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and gastric lymphoma.
[9]
SIDE EFFECTS OF CINNAMON AND ITS EXTRACTS
In a study of the effects of cinnamon extract on Helicobacter pylori, the
cinnamon extract was well tolerated, and side effects were minimal. [9]
Oral erythema multiforme induced by cinnamon has been reported. The
disease manifested itself as chronic extensive surface ulcerations and
lip swelling. The patient was treated repeatedly with topical and
systemic steroids but responded to them only temporarily. The patient
was cured when the offending agent--cinnamon--was eliminated from
her diet. [8] Fourteen cases of cinnamon-induced stomatitis were also
reported. [15]
A case of a 24-year-old woman who developed a squamous cell
carcinoma of her tongue following persistent and prolonged exposure
to cinnamon-flavored gum was reported. [12]
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY. YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH
YOUR DOCTOR FOR ANY MEDICAL ADVICE OR QUESTIONS. ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED 2008 ZHION.
REFERENCES [1] Mang B, et al, Effects of a cinnamon extract on plasma glucose,
HbA, and serum lipids in diabetes mellitus type 2. Eur J Clin Invest. 2006
May;36(5):340-4. [2] Preuss HG, et al, Whole cinnamon and aqueous extracts h
sucrose-induced blood pressure elevations in spontaneously hypertensive rats. J
Am Coll Nutr. 2006 Apr;25(2):144-50. [3] Vanschoonbeek K, et al, Cinnamon
supplementation does not improve glycemic control in postmenopausal type 2
diabetes patients. J Nutr. 2006 Apr;136(4):977-80. [4] Schoene NW, et al,
Water-soluble polymeric polyphenols from cinnamon inhibit proliferation and
alter cell cycle distribution patterns of hematologic tumor cell lines. Cancer Lett.
2005 Dec 8;230(1):134-40. [5] Qin B, et al, Cinnamon extract prevents the
insulin resistance induced by a high-fructose diet. Horm Metab Res. 2004
Feb;36(2):119-25. [6] Khan A, et al, Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of
people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2003 Dec;26(12):3215-8. [7] Qin B,
et al, Cinnamon extract (traditional herb) potentiates in vivo insulin-regulated
glucose utilization via enhancing insulin signaling in rats. Diabetes Res Clin
Pract. 2003 Dec;62(3):139-48. [8] Cohen DM, Bhattacharyya I.
Cinnamon-induced oral erythema multiformelike sensitivity reaction. J Am Dent
Assoc. 2000 Jul;131(7):929-34. [9] Nir Y, et al, Controlled trial of the effect of
cinnamon extract on Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter. 2000 Jun;5(2):94-7. [10]
Tabak M, et al, Cinnamon extracts' inhibitory effect on Helicobacter pylori. J
Ethnopharmacol. 1999 Nov 30;67(3):269-77. [11] Mancini-Filho J, et al,
Antioxidant activity of cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Breyne) extracts.
Boll Chim Farm. 1998 Dec;137(11):443-7. [12] Westra WH, et al, Squamous
cell carcinoma of the tongue associated with cinnamon gum use: a case report.
Head Neck. 1998 Aug;20(5):430-3. [13] Hili P, et al, Antimicrobial action of
essential oils: the effect of dimethylsulphoxide on the activity of cinnamon oil.
Lett Appl Microbiol. 1997 Apr;24(4):269-75. [14] Quale JM, et al, In vitro activity
of Cinnamomum zeylanicum against azole resistant and sensitive Candida
species and a pilot study of cinnamon for oral candidiasis. Am J Chin Med.
1996;24(2):103-9. [15] Miller RL, et al, Cinnamon-induced stomatitis venenata,
Clinical and characteristic histopathologic features. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral
Pathol. 1992 Jun;73(6):708-16.
| CINNAMON HEALTH BENEFITS AND SIDE EFFECTS |
 |  |  |  |
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