Cinnamon how much

The spice has been shown to support the body in a number of ways. Here are some of the most famous cinnamon health benefits. Cinnamon contains important plant chemicals, including cinnamaldehyde and quercetin, that act as potent antioxidants, which means they help protect cells from damage from free radicals, unstable molecules that, in excess, can lead to disease.

In fact, in a study of seven dessert spices, cinnamon ranked number one in terms of antioxidant activity. Cinnamaldehyde may work to block the release of inflammatory chemicals in the nervous system, 11 such as cyclooxygenase-2 and nitric oxide, 12 curbing chronic inflammation, which has been linked to heart disease, stroke and other diseases. Cinnamon can also curb the growth of yeast: in a Indian study, researchers reported that cinnamon in toothpaste helped to reduce symptoms of candida, a type of yeast that causes oral thrush.

Researchers think that cinnamaldehyde and other antimicrobial compounds in cinnamon rupture the membrane of bacterial and fungal cells. A Romanian study reported cinnamon has a number of important cardiovascular benefits, including: Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a very common condition. Solobacterium moorei is a bacterium associated with bad breath, and it turns out that cinnamon is great for tackling it.

One study found that cinnamon oil may be a good addition to oral hygiene products for controlling bad breath. It was found to inhibit growth of the bad-breath-causing bacteria as wel as reduce its production of hydrogen sulfide. Cinnamon has been used by people for a long time to help relieve digestive discomfort. Cinnamon oil does have a lip plumping effect, but this is due to it irritating your lips.

As long as you are not allergic, this should be safe and fine to do in a pre-made solution that has been tested for safety. You can find recipes online, but proceed with caution. You may have already seen cinnamon oil in beauty products like face scrubs and moisturisers, but what does it do for the skin?

Due to its anti-fungal, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, it may help to kill bacteria on the skin. Mixing 2 tablespoons of honey with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon is perhaps one of the quickest homemade face masks you can whip up! Simply apply the mixture evenly all over your face avoiding the eyes and leave it for minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water. Cassia cinnamon — each teaspoon of this cinnamon contains 5g of coumarin, a plant compound that can damage the liver if taken in large amounts.

Ceylon cinnamon — this contains only trace amounts of coumarin, so can be consumed in larger amounts of up to 5g 2. Your Cookie Settings This site uses cookies and similar technologies for performance, social media and advertising purposes in order to provide a customised user experience and understand how our sites are used. What is cinnamon and what does it do? Cassia cinnamon Cinnamomum cassia Cassia cinnamon comes from the Cinnamomum cassia tree, which is also known as Cinnamomum aromaticum.

Which type of cinnamon is best? Cinnamon oil is largely useful in the antimicrobial and antifungal departments; ground cinnamon, however, can afford very real health improvements.

Cinnamon can help reduce your risk of heart disease by addressing issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and high triglyceride levels. A review in the Journal of Renal Injury Prevention published in confirmed that research does show how cinnamon can be used as a remedy to lower blood pressure levels, especially in people who have type 2 diabetes.

The review in the Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal also details the positive effects cinnamon has on cholesterol and lipid levels in animal subjects, which may be translatable to humans.

Inflammation is your body's natural response to stress or injury, and it can help your body respond appropriately so you heal. However, chronic inflammation increases your risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer and brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's.

Flavonoids and phenols in ground cinnamon as well as whole cinnamon and cinnamon oil are effective at fighting dangerous inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effects of cinnamon can help reduce muscle soreness, menstrual aches and age-related pain. As one example, a study published in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine in showed that 3 grams of cinnamon — about a teaspoon — consumed daily over six weeks significantly reduced perceptions of soreness in women athletes compared to placebo.

Research in Food and Function published in notes that cinnamon and its components, such as C. Cassia and C. A teaspoon of ground cinnamon every day may be especially helpful for diabetics.

The spice effectively lowers blood sugar levels. A review in the Annals of Family Medicine showed that the consumption of cinnamon is associated with a notable decrease in fasting glucose blood sugar levels. Doses of 1, 3 and 6 grams can all help. In addition, cinnamon can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels in type 2 diabetics, which helps with management of the disease and discourages complications.

Insulin is a hormone responsible for regulating your metabolism and energy. It's critical for transferring the sugar glucose from the food you eat into your cells. When you are resistant to the effects of insulin, your blood sugar can rise too high, causing health complications, such as metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes.

The Annals of Family Medicine review showed that cinnamon can dramatically reduce insulin resistance , which allows it to complete its task of storing sugar in your cells — rather than allowing it to float around in your bloodstream. As a result, your blood sugar levels decrease and you better manage diabetes — or avoid it altogether.

The antioxidants in cinnamon may boost brain function and offer protective effects against neurological conditions , such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's. Not a lot of human studies are available on the association between these conditions and cinnamon, but animal studies show that compounds in cinnamon have a lot of potential for protecting neurons and reducing cell damage.

The Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology provided a study in showing that findings in mice suggest cinnamon could be a good treatment for patients with Parkinson's. And even just smelling cinnamon can boost brain function and sensory processing. The antioxidant qualities of cinnamon also guard against cell mutation, DNA damage and cancerous tumor growth.

The journal Pharmacognosy Research published a comprehensive review in , noting that cinnamon has shown the ability to reduce the effects of the bacteria H. Plus, cinnamon has demonstrated the ability to inhibit the survival and growth of tumor cells in vitro and impede the activity of factors that promote the growth of melanoma, a deadly type of skin cancer.

You may wonder: "Is a teaspoon of cinnamon too much? But remember, even though lots of research stands behind the potential of the antioxidants in cinnamon, no conclusive research supports it as a medical treatment and therefore, no standard dose has been determined. It is possible to have too much cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon, the most common form sold in the U. You may also increase your cancer risk when you consume too much coumarin. Researchers in the Pharmacognosy Research review advise not regularly consuming more than 0.

So, if you weigh pounds or 59 kilograms or less, you shouldn't consume any more than 1 teaspoon per day to be safe. Our FREE doctor-approved gut health guide. You are now subscribed Be on the lookout for a welcome email in your inbox! Main Navigation. Log in Profile. Saved Articles. Contact Support. Log Out. Your cart is empty.

Our online classes and training programs allow you to learn from experts from anywhere in the world. Explore Classes. Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor who received her B. Medical review by Heather Moday, M. Heather Moday, M. Last updated on September 30, Two main types of cinnamon. Cinnamon packs an antioxidant punch. Cinnamon can lower blood sugar and carb cravings.

Cinnamon may lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Cinnamon has cancer-fighting properties. Cinnamon may keep your brain healthy and your memory sharp. How much cinnamon is safe to consume per day?

Are there any other side effects of cinnamon? Kayleigh Roberts mbg Contributor. Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor living in Los Angeles, California. She earned a B. She covers More On This Topic Recipes. Eliza Sullivan. Abby Moore. With Amy Shah, M. Jamie Schneider. Integrative Health.