Facts about Ground Cinnamon

Ground cinnamon is a warm, sweet-tasting, and fragrant spice that is available all year round; however, this amazing spice is best used during the winter season.

There are numerous species of cinnamon and they are usually classified together and commonly called as either cassia cinnamons of simply “cassia”. In the United States, the most significant of these species is Cinnamon burmannii, which is commonly referred to as Java cinnamon, Indonesian cassia, or Indonesian cinnamon. This cinnamon is particularly significant since it accounted for more than 90 percent of the spice imported in the United States in the year 2008 to 2013.

Cinnamon has a long history of being used as a spice and an herbal medicine. Ground cinnamon is derived from the cinnamon tree’s brown bark. There are two varieties of cinnamon, namely Ceylon and Chinese. Both have the same flavor, although Ceylon cinnamon is more refined, a bit sweeter, and harder to find in local food stores.

Nutritional Facts, Ground Cinnamon (2 teaspoons)

Calories 13

Glycemic Index: very low

Manganese: 46 percent of DV

Fiber: 11 percent of DV

Calcium: 5 percent of DV

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

The therapeutic properties of ground cinnamon are derived from the three main components found in its bark’s essential oils. These oils possess the potent ingredients cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamyl acetate, and cinnamaldehyde, as well as other types of volatile compounds. Below are some of the most common health advantages of cinnamon:

1. Anti-clotting properties

Cinnamic aldeyde or cinnamaldehyde has been well evaluated for its impact on platelets. Blood platelets are found in the blood and are supposed to clump during emergency situations. This is a natural mechanism to stop bleeding. Under normal situations, these platelets can make inadequate blood flow if they excessively clump together. The potent ingredient found in cinnamon helps prevent excessive clumping of the platelets.

1. Anti-microbial properties

Cinnamon’s essential oils are also considered anti-microbial food. As a matter of fact, cinnamon has been extensively studied or its ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. In clinical studies, the overgrowth of yeasts that were already exhibiting resistance to the usually utilized antifungal drug called fluconazole was typically eliminated by cinnamon extracts.

1. Blood glucose management

Using cinnamon to season a high carbohydrate dish can help reduce its effect on your blood glucose levels. This amazing spice gradually hastens the rate at which the stomach empties following a meals. This natural mechanism lowers the increase in blood glucose levels following a meal. Below are the most popular cassia-type cinnamons:

• Cinnamomum loureiroi, most commonly called as Saigon Cassia, Saigon Cinnamon, or Vietnamese Cinnamon
• Cinnamomum cassia, also commonly referred to as Cinnamomum aromaticcum and more commonly known by the name of Chinese Cassia or Chinese Cinnamon
• Cinnamomum burmannii, which is most usually referred to as Java cinnamon, Indonesian cassia, or Indonesian Cinnamon

How to Enjoy Cinnamon

Here are some quick serving ideas

• As an ingredient in curry
• Pair with honey and soymilk

Now that you know all these things, you shouldn’t think twice about getting a pack of ground cinnamon the next time you visit the supermarket. 

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