Cinnamon is a popular spice added to many popular dishes such as baked goods and drinks. It can be used for much more than that, though, and has many health benefits.
According to an article in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, the medicinal benefits of cinnamon, one of those benefits is that it helps relieve inflammation.
Since its taste is unique and robust, it usually is used in small amounts. You can still get all of the benefits if you know how to incorporate it in your diet often, though. It is easier than you think to add this spice to many of your favorite dishes.
You can replace an unnatural ingredient with this natural one, too. Using it as a substitute for other ingredients will help you increase the amount you consume.
With its ability to relieve inflammation, it is essential to learn science-proven ways to use cinnamon. Reducing inflammation can improve your overall health and help with specific issues you might be struggling with.
The Four States of Inflammation
- irritation, which often involves redness, itching, or a burning sensation
- inflammation, which is when the body begins to heal itself
- suppuration, which is when fluid or pus emerges
- granulation, which is when you notice tissue formation and healing
How Cinnamon is Effective Against Inflammation
As explained, this spice is effective for relieving inflammation. There are a few reasons that it is so effective, and those reasons involve the things that this spice contains. For starters, this spice contains the following:
Antioxidants
This spice contains antioxidants, which help repair tissue and control inflammation. Antioxidants also contain many other essential vitamins and nutrients that help reduce inflammation too. It is one of the best anti-inflammatory properties, and there are high amounts found in this spice.
In 2017, The Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine noted its usefulness in treating the irritations associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS.
Cinnamaldehyde
This component directly affects platelets that help clot blood during an injury. When the blood clots quicker and more effectively, inflammation will not be quite as bad. According to research, cinnamaldehyde can help protect against strokes and heart disease, too.
Eugenol
Eugenol has antiseptic properties that work as an anesthetic. According to a 2018 review, it eases pain because it reduces inflammation quickly and effectively.
Linalool
This component helps fight inflammation and is effective just by breathing it in. It is the reason why cinnamon essential oil is so effective. Linalool is also the reason for the strong smell that the spice produces.
How to Use Cinnamon to Relieve Inflammation
Here are ten delicious ways to use this inflammation-beating spice.
1. Sprinkle it On Your Favorite Foods
One of the easiest ways to use cinnamon is to sprinkle it over top of other foods. You can put it on anything you’d like, but it’s often sprinkled over:
- oatmeal or cereal
- toast
- ham
- applesauce
- sweet potatoes
- yogurt
- muffins
Don’t let this partial list hold you back from trying the spice on other things, too, though. You can try it on anything you’d like, and the flavor is a nice addition to many different foods.
2. Add it to Your Drink
It is easy to add cinnamon to your drinks, and it will add a boost of flavor and sweetness, too. This spice can go tea, milk, hot cocoa, or coffee.
When adding it to coffee, you will want to add it to the coffee grounds before brewing. Adding it after the coffee has already been brewed won’t allow it to dissolve and mix well. You will find the spice floating on the top of your cup if you do it that way.
You can also use this spice to flavor your water. To do this, boil one cup of water and add honey and cinnamon. Then, let the drink sit for a few minutes before straining and drinking it.
3. Use it as a Sweetener
This spice can often be used in place of sugar and unnatural sweeteners. Experts say that much of the sugar consumed regularly isn’t natural to the foods it is in, making it unhealthy. It is a natural sweetener with many health benefits, including relieving inflammation.
4. Add it to Soup or Chili
An interesting thing about cinnamon is that it can be sweet and a little spicy at the same time. This makes it the perfect addition to soup or chili, both of which should have a little of both tastes.
It adds a powerful boost of flavor to the dish, which will quickly make it your new favorite spice. Plus, if you add enough of it, then you could significantly increase the amount you consume.
5. Use it While You Bake
This spice is frequently used in baking, but the amount can always be increased from what the recipe says. Use it in place of or in addition to sugar in your recipes. You could even use it in frosting or glaze recipes.
Plus, many baking recipes use this spice as the main ingredient. Cinnamon rolls and bread are great options, plus snickerdoodle cookies require quite a bit, too. Switch it up and learn new recipes for using this spice in baking, and you will likely find some new favorites.
6. Add it to Your Meat Marinade
Science shows that the leaves, bark, root bark, and fruit of a Cinnamomum tree create a spicy flavor while also having anti-inflammatory properties. Adding it to your marinade can add a little spice to your meat while also making a delicious taste with a healthy boost. Add cinnamon to your favorite marinade, mixing in as much or as little as you want.
7. As an Essential Oil
Cinnamon doesn’t only have to be consumed for you to reap the benefits. Using this spice’s essential oil offers many of the same benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties.
You can diffuse the oil. The diffuser will make your home smell good and help relieve inflammation. Make sure to use essential oils safely by researching them before use or discussing it with your doctor.
8. Take a Supplement
If you can’t seem to include enough of this spice in your diet, you can take a supplement. These can often be purchased without a prescription, but it is still best to talk to your doctor first. This is a good option if you don’t enjoy the taste but still want to experience the health benefits.
9. Mix Cinnamon With Fruit
You can use this spice to turn your fruit into a delicious dessert. Chop up your favorite fruit and sprinkle the seasoning over the top of it. You could add the spice to a fruit salad and mix it in with all of the fruit.
Another idea is to mix it with chopped-up fruit and then mix the fruit mixture into plain Greek yogurt. You could also add the fruit and cinnamon mixture to oatmeal or pancakes.
10. Make Apple Chips
When you want something crispy but healthy, apple chips are the way to go. When added to fruit and baked, the health properties of cinnamon are still the same. Even better, though, is the added nutrition from the apple.
Apple chips are easy to make and will have your house smelling great while they are cooking. All that you have to do is thinly slice a few apples, arrange on a cooking sheet, and sprinkle more of the spice.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and cook for one hour. Flip the apple slices over, sprinkle with the spice again and cook for one more hour.
How Much Cinnamon to Use
If you are following a recipe, you can use the amount that the recipe calls for. You can always add extra, too, but consider the flavor and how strong you want it to be.
Scientists say that ½ a teaspoon to one teaspoon each day is enough to experience the benefits. Remember that if a recipe calls for one teaspoon, it will be divided into the number of servings.
Keep in mind that this spice can be used as a sweetener, too. So, you can replace any artificial sugars to get more cinnamon in your diet.
Final Thoughts on Science-Proven Ways to Use Cinnamon to Relieve Inflammation
As you can see, cinnamon can be used in many ways to relieve inflammation. With these science-proven methods, you are sure to find a few new ways to incorporate this spice into your diet. The best part is that you can add it to dishes that you know you already like, making the process easier.
There are options for all meals and snacks throughout the day, so find the ones you enjoy the most. You don’t have to consume a bunch of this spice, so it will be easier than you think. It is an ingredient that will make your entire family healthier.
Using this spice to replace other unhealthy ingredients will only offer further healing benefits too. Don’t miss out on the medicinal benefits of cinnamon and allow its natural properties to reduce your inflammation.
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