There are two main cinnamon crop trees. One is the Ceylon or Sri Lankan variety, Cinnamomum verum or zeylanicum, which produces a cinnamon tawny in color, with papery, brittle, single spiral quills, and a taste usually described as sweet. The other is the Cassia variety, from China (called Tung Hing), Cinnamomum cassia, Vietnam (called Saigon),Cinnamomum loureirii, and Indonesia (called Korintje), Cinnamomum burmanii, all of which are darker in color, with thick, hard double spiral quills, a higher oil content, and a stronger, sharper taste usually described as spicey, even hot.
What type of Cinnamon is best to reduce cholesterol and control diabetes?
The studies identified cinnamon's water soluble components, called proanthocyanidins, as the active ingredients affecting blood glucose, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
When you use ground cinnamon you are getting both the water-soluble and the fat-soluble components. You also get a health bonus of one gram of dietary fiber in each teaspoon of cinnamon.
According to Wikipedia -- the free online encyclopedia -- " there is as yet no knowledge about the potential for toxic buildup of the fat-soluble components in cinnamon (anything fat-soluble can potentially be subject to toxic buildup); however, humans have been ingesting the spice as a seasoning safely for thousands of years."
Using the whole cinnamon quills to flavor teas, soups, or sauces provides you the water-soluble components with little or none of the fat-soluble ones.
Sri Lankan types are generally preferred in Latin America where it's called Canela; Cassia types are generally preferred in the rest of the world.
A quick rule of tongue:
- Korintje Cinnamon (world's largest crop) -- think Cinnamon Buns
- Saigon Cinnamon (big, bright, spicey) -- think "Red Hots" candy
- Ceylon (a.k.a."True") Cinnamon (smooth, sweet, complex) -- think Apple Pie or Mexican Hot Chocolate
Personally, I sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of my own special blend of several varieties of ground cinnamon and cassia over whole grain cereal with 2% or fat free milk and have gotten great results.
Either way, you can add cinnamon or cassia, in ground or stick form, to your coffee, tea, orange juice, or cereal milk and get enough of the water-soluble proanthocyanidins that effect blood glucose, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. There are also commercially available cinnamon dietary supplements with whole cinnamon or water soluble cinnamon extract capsules.
Wikipedia also reports that there "is also much anecdotal evidence that consumption of cinnamon has a strong effect in lowering blood pressure, making it potentially useful to those suffering from hypertension. The USDA has three ongoing studies that are monitoring the blood pressure effect."
Further Cinnamon, Diabetes, and Cholesterol Research References
- Isolation and Characterization of Polyphenol Type-A Polymers from Cinnamon with Insulin-like Biological Activity.
-- Researchers hold that there is strong evidence that dietary factors are involved in the regulation and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Insulin-like Biological Activity of Culinary and Medicinal Plant Aqueous Extracts in vitro -- Cinnamon was found to be the most bioactive of 49 herb, spice, and medicinal plant extracts to evaluated for their effects on insulin function.
Cinnamon long in use in Natural Hair Loss Recipes & Pest Control
Proanthocyanidins are part of a large family of molecules called polyphenols, which include minoxidil, the active component in Rogaine, the hair regrowth preparation. Cinnamon has long been a main ingredient in several holistic and naturopathic hair loss remedies, often combining honey with cinnamon to stop hair loss and effect hair restoration in the balding.
Many, if not all of these plant phytochemicals are thought to be protective adaptations to ward off insect pests. fungi, and viruses. Indeed, cinnamon has shown effectiveness against both mosquitoes and ants. It has also been known in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties.
For more about cinnamon visit montefin's FoodFacts glossary
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