The versatile properties of this popular aromatic spice have been known for centuries.
Medieval doctors recommended cinnamon not only for coughs and sore throats, but also for digestive problems and joint pain.
Cinnamon is native to South America, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean.
Cinnamon is extracted from the inner bark of tropical trees of the genus Cinnamomum. Sticks are formed from the bark by drying, which can be ground into a fine powder. Cinnamon contains a substance called cinnamaldehyde. This gives cinnamon its characteristic smell.
Ceylon cinnamon is grown in Sri Lanka, is rarer, more expensive and has a stronger aroma and taste. Cassia cinnamon from China is more readily available, cheaper and is used as a substitute for real cinnamon.
Be careful with this type of cinnamon because it contains large amounts of the substance coumarin, which is toxic in higher doses. For this reason, cinnamon is not recommended for children, but adults should not overdo it with cinnamon either.
Unlike real cinnamon, Chinese cinnamon has an unpleasantly sharp smell and taste and a darker color. Therefore, when buying, always give preference to high-quality Ceylon cinnamon, because it contains much less coumarin.
Cinnamon is also known as one of the main nutritional aids for diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is closely related to the patient's lifestyle, and if not treated properly, it can cause serious damage to some tissues and organs (mostly the eyes, kidneys, blood vessels, and peripheral nerves).
Diabetics can consume cinnamon in adequate amounts, as well as dietary supplements containing cinnamon extract and other substances (such as chromium).
Specific complications of diabetes are closely related to hyperglycemia. Then cardiovascular problems arise, as hyperglycemia accelerates the development of atherosclerosis, affecting the vessels and the heart.
During regular check-ups with a doctor, which should be done twice a year for patients at risk, the HbA1c indicator, also known as glycated hemoglobin (long sugar - in a healthy person, HbA1c values should be within 20-42 mmol/mol) is determined in the blood.
Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, regular diet and proper nutrition are important for optimal blood sugar levels.
You should focus on complex carbohydrates, sufficient amounts of quality proteins and healthy fats. It is also important to have a varied and high-quality diet that ensures you are getting all the nutrients you need.
Earlier it was reported that a doctor warned about the hidden dangers of white bread.
