One of the most delicious spices on the planet is Cinnamon! Known for its earthy aroma and a sharp taste, Cinnamon is a great flavouring agent. While the common way to consume Cinnamon is in the form of a whole stick, Cinnamon powder (dalchini powder) is also a popular version of this delectable spice. Cinnamon powder is known for its therapeutic benefits and is widely used in treating a number of health disorders. From aiding in digestion to treating infections and even preventing Cancers, Cinnamon powder benefits our body in a number of ways. In this article, we shall explore more about this ingredient in detail:
What Is Cinnamon Powder?
Cinnamon is the bark of the tropical trees. It is brown in colour and has a sweet taste that finishes off with a sharp, pungent flavour. This bark is ground to prepare Cinnamon powder, which has a coarse texture. The cinnamon powder comes in the form of a sprinkler can or in packet form.
Is Cinnamon Powder Good For Health?
Cinnamon powder is packed with health benefits to your body. This powder is rich in Calcium, Magnesium and other important nutrients. Besides, Cinnamon powder also offers anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties to ward off infection-causing microbes, along with boosting your immune system. It also contains many Cancer-fighting agents to shield your body against deadly diseases.
Cinnamon Powder Nutrition Facts:
Here is the breakup of the nutritional value of ground cinnamon per 1 teaspoon of serving size:
- Total Energy: 6 Calories
- Fat: 0.3 gm
- Carbohydrates: 2.1 gm
- Protein: 0.1 gm
- Calcium: 26 mg
- Iron: 0.2 mg
- Magnesium: 2 mg
- Phosphorous: 2 mg
- Potassium: 11 mg
- Vitamin C: 0.1 mg
How To Make Cinnamon Powder At Home?
Cinnamon powder is readily available in the market in easy-to-use packaging. However, you can also prepare Cinnamon powder at home to ensure freshness and density of flavour. Check out the recipe below:
Ingredients:
- Cinnamon Sticks – 1 Cup.
Preparation Time: 15 mins.
Preparation:
- Slightly roast the Cinnamon sticks in a pan.
- Remove them from heat.
- Let them cool.
- Transfer them into a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Strain the powder to remove hard particles.
- Transfer the powder into a glass jar.
How Much Cinnamon Powder Should I Take Daily?
Powder made with Cassia Cinnamon can be had up to 1 teaspoon per day. If it is a Ceylon Cinnamon powder, you can eat up to 5gms without experiencing any side effects. Eating Cinnamon powder in excess quantities can lead to many problems. So stick to the limit!
Research-Based Health Benefits Of Cinnamon Powder:
Here we enlisted 17 evidence-based uses of cinnamon powder for health, hair and skin. Let’s have a look into them.
1. Regulates Blood Sugar:
As per research, Cinnamon powder is highly efficient in lowering your blood sugar levels. If taken in limited amounts, cinnamon powder can really be helpful in ensuring control over spiked up blood sugar levels by almost 24%. This makes it a perfect choice for diabetic patients. Along with your regular medication, taking a pinch of Cinnamon powder per day can do wonders!
2. Controls Bad Cholesterol:
Cinnamon powder is also effective in lowering the cholesterol levels, that can block your arteries. This is one of the best advantages of Cinnamon powder! To decrease the levels of LDL also known as bad cholesterol in the body, cinnamon powder can work really well. This helps in keeping away cardiovascular problems and diseases. However, make sure that you do not exceed the limit of 6 grams per day of cinnamon powder.
3. Reduces Arthritis Pain:
Another of the very good and effective benefits of cinnamon comes in the form of pain reduction in case of joint inflammation also known as arthritis. The anti-inflammatory agents in Cinnamon powder can treat painful conditions like Gout and other tissue disorders. It also contains certain antioxidants like Cinnamaldehyde and Cinnamic acid which can reduce the cell damage.
4. Reduces PMS problems:
Have you ever tried a cup of fresh cinnamon tea made from cinnamon powder during your periods? If not, then try it this time around and see how well it helps you in treatment of the cramps and abdomen pain that tags along. Cinnamon powder can also regulate your periods as well as heavy bleeding disorders. This is one of the major Dalchini powder health benefits!
5. Treats Infertility:
If you are facing problems in your sex life or having issues with conceiving, Cinnamon can come to your aid. There are some natural chemicals in cinnamon powder known as cinnamaldehyde this is known to improve the levels of progesterone and decreases testosterone in women and balances the levels of fertility. A balance in hormone is always good for fertile levels as well as sexual health.
See More: Cinnamon Uses
6. Removes Bad Odour:
Suffering from bad odour in your mouth? Looking for a natural room freshener? Try Cinnamon powder! It benefits is not only limited to a cup of cinnamon tea that helps in giving you freedom from bad breath but also as an odour neutralizer for the environment. Put some cinnamon oil or cinnamon powder in water and use it in the diffuser to remove the unpleasant smell in minutes.
7. Cinnamon Powder Benefits For Weight Loss:
The benefits of Cinnamon Powder for weight loss are incredible! The high levels of antioxidants in cinnamon powder make it a perfectly natural product for losing weight. It not only helps in flushing out the toxins but also in cleansing away the accumulated cellulite and fat. This regulates the entire system and helps you lose weight. Another way it helps in shedding those extra pounds is by improving the metabolic process with just about 1 cup of cinnamon tea prepared from the powder.
8. Protects Oral Health:
If you are having a hard time dealing with tooth problems like cavities, bad breath and even gingivitis. The anti-bacterial properties of the cinnamon powder are more than perfect when it comes to killing the plague and accumulated bacteria in the mouth. This helps in proper control over the problems of tooth decay as well as many kinds of gum diseases.
9. Promotes a Healthy Heart:
Want to know about the benefits of cinnamon powder? Well, let’s just say that it is extremely beneficial for the heart. Cinnamon powder can reduce the risk of severe heart diseases, which has eventually turned out to be one of the most common causes of death these days. A lot of people are dying because of a weak heart. Cinnamon can fix that. Proper intake of cinnamon powder will strengthen the heart and make it capable of enduring some minor attacks as well.
10. It is Anti-Diabetic:
The benefits of Cinnamon powder for diabetes are too good to believe! Cinnamon is known for its anti-diabetic properties. It can lower the blood sugar level (this benefit has been discussed earlier on this list). Cinnamon has good control over the beneficial effects of the insulin resistance and has some good number of mechanisms which can keep diabetes under control. It can also control the amount of excess glucose that enters into our bloodstream after having a meal.
11. Neurodegenerative Diseases:
Neurodegenerative diseases generally include those ones where there is a constant loss of brain cells. If the brain stops functioning properly you will feel it and that will be the perfect time for including cinnamon powder in your daily diet. Cinnamon contains many beneficial compounds and two of them are made up of protein which is present in the brain (tau). The cinnamon powder also protects neurons, according to scientific studies and also stabilize the neurotransmitter levels.
See More: Cinnamon Oil Uses
12. It Improves Motor Function:
Cinnamon powder is known to improve the motor function which has been found according to many studies. People with Parkinson’s disease may get benefitted with this ingredient due to the strengthening of the nervous system and reduced shaking of limbs. However, it is largely under study and may need stronger evidence.
13. Curbs Yeast Infections:
Want to know about the health benefits of cinnamon powder? It has the ability to stop many yeast infections which are further medication-resistant. According to many expert studies, it has been proved that cinnamon oil has one of the many important elements which are required to fight Candida yeast infections. This is one of the main health benefits of this powder.
14. Improves Overall Health:
The benefits of cinnamon powder and honey are well known to many Indians. Honey has some widespread benefits which we all know about and cinnamon is nothing less in the health guru aspect. Want to know how to use cinnamon powder with honey? Take a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder along with two or more teaspoons of honey. Regular consumption of these two foods will ensure better health and will also treat joint pains.
15. Antioxidant Properties:
It contains some good amounts of antioxidants which will cure the oxidative damage caused to the body by the free radicals. This is one of the best health benefits of cinnamon powder. Not only it will recover the damage, but it will also protect the body and fight against any future damage and threats which might be caused by the free radicals in the body. The polyphenols in cinnamon allow this natural powder to do some unbelievable functions which might be not done by any other prescribed medicines.
16. Cinnamon Powder Benefits For Skin:
Organic Cinnamon powder benefits your skin in many ways! It is loaded with antibacterial properties to reduce skin infections like acne, eczema and rashes. Having a slightly coarse texture, Cinnamon can also exfoliate the skin and remove the dead cells. You can use a simple Cinnamon mask by mixing the powder with some rose water and honey and applying it evenly on the face. This is also an instant glow, skin whitening mask to try before stepping out to a party!
17. Cinnamon Powder Benefits For Hair Growth:
Studies show that Cinnamon can stimulate hair growth by improving blood circulation. It is also rich in anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, which can reduce scalp problems like dry flakes, dandruff and itchy scalp. You can use this powder by mixing it with coconut oil and massaging it on your scalp.
See More: Cinnamon Tea Uses
Cinnamon Powder Side Effects:
Although Cinnamon powder is packed with numerous health benefits, taking it in large doses can give you dangerous side effects. Listed below are some of the major complications that may arise with overconsumption of Cinnamon Powder:
- Liver Damage.
- Increased Risk Of Cancers.
- Oral Sores.
- Stomach Ulcers.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhoea.
- Breathlessness.
- Interaction with Other Medications.
So, those are some of the best Cinnamon powder benefits (uses of dalchini powder) in your everyday routine. If you exercise caution with the dosage limit, Cinnamon powder can help you in many ways and promote overall healthy wellbeing. Along with spicing up the flavour of your pies and buns, Cinnamon powder can also “spice” up your life! So, what are you waiting for? Time to stock your pantry with this amazing agent!