CINNAMON, ENEMY OR ALLY OF OUR HEALTH?

Cinnamon is a spice that, although it is fashionable, is not something that has been discovered recently. It has been used by man for many years, especially in Eastern cultures. Thanks to its properties, flavour and distinctive fragrance, it has been used to preserve food, for medicinal or culinary purposes.

Want to know more about this spice? Keep reading!

In ancient times this spice was once more precious than gold itself. If our ancestors already knew and valued it, how could we not do the same?

Let's start from the beginning, cinnamon is one of the spices with the greatest antioxidant power that exists, its flavonoids and phenols make it a great ally for our health. In addition, it is also rich in vitamin B, C and minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus and potassium.

There are many different varieties of cinnamon, although they all come from a tree of the Cinnamomum genus. Despite having a common origin, their properties are very different, which makes the consumption of some more advisable than others. The most commercialized are:

• Ceylon cinnamon: originates from Sri Lanka and is the so-called ''original or true cinnamon''. It is the best in terms of quality and benefits.
• Cassia cinnamon: originates from China, and although it is of much lower quality than the previous variety, it is one of the most widely consumed in the world. However, its use is not advisable for long periods of time or in high doses due to its coumarin content.
• Korintje Cinnamon: This variety comes from Indonesia and is similar to Cassia in composition and coumarin content.
• Saigon cinnamon: it is originally from Vietnam and although at first glance it looks similar to cassia, it has little in common in terms of coumarin content and composition.
  
  

In the previous section we have seen some of the varieties that we can find for sale, but what are the differences? It's simple, the difference lies in the coumarin content of each type. Surely you had never heard this word (until you read it in the previous section), right? It is a substance that, if consumed in excess, can cause damage to the liver and kidneys.

It is advisable to take the Ceylon variety, since Cassia has a high coumarin content, so half a teaspoon may contain a higher amount than is considered safe for people who consume it regularly.

I want you to know that occasional consumption of Cassia cinnamon does not pose a health problem, but for those who usually consume it every day, it is recommended that they opt for the Ceylon variety.

Cinnamon in its variety originating in Sri Lanka has many benefits. Here are some of the most important ones:

• It helps with the digestion of carbohydrates and fats, as well as with gas and acidity.
• It improves cognitive functions and memory , and also helps against headaches.
• Regulates blood glucose levels.
• Improves cardiovascular health, helping to reduce cholesterol, triglyceride and blood pressure levels.
• Improves circulation and helps lower cholesterol.
• Regulates and helps improve symptoms associated with menstruation.

After knowing all the positive effects that this ingredient has on your health, you will surely want to incorporate it into your routine. We will tell you the easiest ways to take it:

• Including it in your recipes: its characteristic flavor makes it a perfect complement to all your recipes.
• As a natural sweetener: you can add it to your coffees, smoothies or even desserts to make them sweeter and healthier.
• As an infusion: infusions containing this ingredient are recommended to be taken after eating as they aid digestion.

At Baïa Food we use the best quality Ceylon cinnamon that we bring directly from Sri Lanka, which makes our formulations even healthier and tastier. So if the above options don't convince you or you want to complement them, a good way to take it in your daily life is through our Matcha Latte , Turmeric Latte , Plant Protein Vanilla or Chai Latte that, in addition to the benefits of cinnamon, will provide you with many others.