 The aromatic cinnamon
You are what you eat. Some of the gravest health problems can be caused by food and yet, food can also be a cure for many an ailment. This column is all about food that will work towards your good health. Each week I’ll take a common food item from your kitchen, and show you the wonders it can do for you.
 A sweet aroma invades your senses whenever you pass by your favourite cookie shop. This warm and sweet fragrance is more often than not, due to cinnamon. This spice is obtained from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree. The best cinnamon grows along the coast of Colombo in Sri Lanka.
This variety, called Ceylon Cinnamon (true cinnamon) has a sweeter, more delicate flavour compared to its Chinese counterpart (cassia). The best part about this spice is that just half a teaspoon of powdered cinnamon eaten as a part of your daily food can do wonders for your health. Read on to find out more…
History
Cinnamon is one of the oldest known spices. It is mentioned in the Bible. It was also mentioned in around 2700 B.C. in traditional Chinese botanical medicine. It is one of the spices that lured the Europeans through the trade routes into India and Sri Lanka.
Nutri-Meter
Cinnamon is an excellent source of manganese and dietary fibre. It is also rich in iron and calcium.
Cinnamon in Ayurveda
Ayurveda considers cinnamon a warming spice that pacifies Kapha and balances Vata. Cinnamon is used to improve digestion and to pacify stomach disorders. It can be boiled along with other warming spices like ginger and black pepper to make a soothing herbal tea for cold and cough. Its oil is used to relieve headaches and keep joints healthy. It is known to possess aphrodisiac properties as well.
Reasons why cinnamon is good for you
1. Natural blood sugar lowering agent - The active ingredient in cinnamon mimics insulin and lowers blood sugar. Even a dose as low as ¼ to ½ teaspoon of the powder in a day has been proven to reduce blood sugar levels. Cinnamon powder can, therefore, be a useful supplement for Type 2 diabetics. It is not to be used as a substitute for medication, though. Research also reveals that cinnamon works to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
2. Anti-clotting action – Cinnamaldehyde is one of the active components present in the essential oil of cinnamon bark. This compound has been proven to prevent clumping together of platelets (a process that causes clotting). Sluggish blood flow is one of the causes of heart attacks and strokes. Cinnamon is a natural anti-clotting agent.
3. Anti-microbial agent – Cinnamon has been studied for its ability to help prevent growth of bacteria and fungi. It is also effective against the common yeast, Candida. Laboratory tests showed that growth of yeasts that were resistant to fluconazole (a common and effective anti-fungal medicine) were often reactive to cinnamon extracts.
4. Aroma therapy – Research has proven that the warm aroma of cinnamon has the ability to boost brain function. Just chewing on cinnamon flavoured gum or smelling cinnamon led to improved attentional processes, virtual recognition memory, working memory, and visual-motor speed while working on a computer-based program. Good enough reasons for you to buy that cinnamon scented candle!
5. Warming spice – Traditional Chinese medicine considers cinnamon a natural warming agent. Flus and colds are often calmed at their onset by a herbal tea made with cinnamon and ginger.
6. Apart from this, cinnamon is known to be beneficial in arthritis. Massaging painful, arthritic knees with a mixture of cinnamon powder, honey and water is a good home remedy. A gargle with cinnamon powder in water is an instant remedy for bad breath.
Tips to buy and store cinnamon
Cinnamon comes in ‘quills’, strips of bark rolled one in another. The best varieties are pale brown and parchment-like in appearance.
Whole quills will keep their flavour for a long time. Though, keeping powdered cinnamon on hand is a more practical approach, powdered cinnamon loses flavour quickly. It should, therefore, be purchased in small quantities and kept away from light in airtight containers. Whole cinnamon quills will last even longer if kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If the quills no longer smell of cinnamon, they are no longer fresh.
Ways to use cinnamon in your food
Cinnamon is used as a delicate flavouring in American and European baked goods and desserts. In Indian desserts, cardamom is the more favoured spice. It is common in many Middle Eastern and North African dishes, in flavouring lamb tagines or stuffed eggplants.
It is used as a whole spice to make pulaos and curries more fragrant .It is also a component of the Indian garam masala. It may be used to spice mulled wines, and syrups. Mexico is the largest importer of Ceylon cinnamon for its use in coffee and chocolate.
- Rice for pulao can be cooked in a cinnamon broth for a wonderful flavour.
A dash of cinnamon powder can be added to your morning cup of filter coffee for its health benefits as well as aromatic touch.
- Add grated apples, cinnamon powder and jaggery to wheat flour and make fragrant, nutritious breakfast pancakes.
- Try and substitute cardamom powder with cinnamon powder in payasam, halwa and other traditional desserts for a twist in the taste.
- Non-diabetics can make cinnamon-flavoured sugar by adding one part cinnamon powder to 5 parts of powdered sugar. This can be filled in a salt shaker and sprinkled on toasts and breakfast cereals. Diabetics can sprinkle cinnamon powder as it is or mix it with sugar substitutes.
- Using cinnamon in muffins, cakes and breads gives it a lively aroma.
Though it is advocated that half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder a day would bestow health benefits on most of us, it is to be remembered that diabetics must not eat more cakes and desserts as a tool to consuming more cinnamon. Heavily buttered toasts sprinkled with cinnamon powder would also be no good for a person who desires to reduce his cholesterol levels.
Recipe for your health-food file
(Adapted from the website of Physicians Committee for Responsible
Medicine-pcrm.org)
Cinnamon Toast
Makes 6 slices
This wholesome toast is a delicious way to start the day, and it adds the benefits of cinnamon and fibre from whole wheat to your diet. This can also be had as a midnight snack.
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Ingredients
1 cup fortified soymilk or skimmed milk
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tbsp grated jaggery / sugar / necessary sugar substitute
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon powder
6 slices whole wheat / multigrain bread
Oil to cook |
Method:
1. Combine milk, flour, jaggery / sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a flat dish. Soak bread slices in batter until soft but not soggy. The amount of time this takes will vary depending on the bread used.
3. Cook with a teaspoon of oil in a non-stick pan until first side is golden brown, about 3 minutes. Turn carefully with a spatula and cook second side until brown, about 3 minutes.
Eat warm with freshly cut
fruits.
(Image courtesy: Getty Images)
Disclaimer:
The contents of this column such as text, images, recipe recommendations and other materials are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider for any health problem or medical condition.
Dr Nandita Iyer
(The author is a qualified medical doctor, an enthusiastic writer and a passionate cook. She will try and answer any article-related queries, which can be posted in the comments section.)
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