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]
Reference
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.
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]
Reference
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
SIDE EFFECTS
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Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
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