Ask Dr Denton: Beautiful Eating. What about Cinnamon? Is it Good for you?

In a study at Copenhagen University, patients were given honey and a teaspoon of cinnamon powder in the morning before breakfast

Cinnamon is the spice of warmth and love; why? Throughout the centuries cinnamon has been used as an aphrodisiac as well as a preservative. Cinnamon's fragrance is clearly appealing to the human senses.Studies have associated cinnamon with improvements to the digestive system. The effects on LDL (bad fat) and blood sugar are promising. 

P>PORTSMOUTH, VA. (Catholic Online) - As the last apples fall from the old orchard and the winds of change lightly blow my brides long black hair across her cheek, I smile gently. My heart knows the coming season of joy is upon us. Soon, I will be by the fire with my love and we'll laugh about the stories of summer and sip our spiced wine and apple cider. The bouquet of cinnamon is in the air, Ah. life really is beautiful.

"Your lips drip honey, my bride, sweetmeats and milk are under your tongue; And the fragrance of your garments is the fragrance of Lebanon.

"You are an enclosed garden, my sister, my bride, an enclosed garden, a fountain sealed.

"You are a park that puts forth pomegranates, with all choice fruits; Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon with all kinds of incense; Myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices.

"You are a garden fountain, a well of water flowing fresh from Lebanon.

"Arise, north wind! Come, south wind!  Blow upon my garden that its perfumes may spread abroad.
Let my lover come to his garden and eat its choice fruits."  (Song of Solomon 5: 11 - 16)

Cinnamon is the spice of warmth and love; why? Throughout the centuries cinnamon has been used as an aphrodisiac as well as a preservative. The science behind the data is limited but the saying - "the tincture of time tells all truths" - is probably right on this fact. Cinnamon's fragrance is clearly appealing to the human senses. 

In a study at Copenhagen University, patients were given honey and a teaspoon of cinnamon powder in the morning before breakfast. They found that a number of the patients had significant relief of arthritis type pain. (Less pain = more love?)

Multiple studies have associated cinnamon with improvements to the digestive system. This makes sense when we consider that the ancients used cinnamon as a natural preservative. The confirmation of this fact comes from Kansas State University.  Researchers at the University found that cinnamon fights E. coli bacteria (a common cause of food poisoning and spoilage) in unpasteurized juices. Hey ..Maybe that's why we started having a little cinnamon in our hot apple cider.. Just a thought!

The effects of cinnamon on LDL (bad fat) and blood sugar regulation are of interest to many type 2 diabetic patients (those diabetic patients who develop diabetes over time - in part due to diet).  In 2009 the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, published an article which showed cinnamon taken two times per day helped lower A1C in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

"Ok. great DOC but what's A1C?" Sorry, I got excited and ahead of myself.

A1C is the blood test used to see how closely controlled our patients blood sugar levels are over a prolonged time period. If the patient has a poorly controlled blood sugar (Their blood sugar levels are high throughout two month or more) the A1C will be high. 

Another interesting fact is that cassia is often sold as standard cinnamon. However, cassia is a unique spice with cinnamon type qualities (brothers in the same family, but different). Most historians feel that traditional (standard) cinnamon is from Sri Lanka and is a sweet cinnamon. These two spices are not typically differentiated in the US markets. They are often labeled as cinnamon with no further distinction. However, these two spices are clearly distinguished as separate spices in the Bible. Cassia and cinnamon are used as part of the sacred anointing oil the Lord instructed Moses to make in Exodus 30: 22-25.

Both cassia and cinnamon have similar properties as it relates to blood sugar and their digestive effects, but the differences are also important. Cinnamon is typically softly sweet in flavor and has a mild bouquet. Simply put, it is a more romantic spice.  Cassia is darker in color and has a robust bouquet. However, in regards to flavor, it is bland.

Medically, there is an important difference. Although both cassia (Cinnamomum aromaticum, Chinese cinnamon) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum - Latin for Ceylon, Sweet cinnamon, Sri Lanka cinnamon, Cinnamomum verum, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum) contain Coumarin a blood thinner, the level of Coumarin in cassia is high enough to warrant limited use in patients on blood thinners. (No more than a teaspoon per day).

Simply stated, sweet cinnamon is a better choice for patients on any form of blood thinners. So look at the back of the bottle to make sure the product you are using is true cinnamon. (Ceylon, Sweet Cinnamon, Sri Lanka Cinnamon, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, or Cinnamomum Verum) are all terms used for true cinnamon. If you don't use blood thinners, the choice is simply up to your senses!

Hot Cinnamon Apple Cider anyone? Yum!
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Dr Denton D. Weiss, M.D. is board certified in both Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Weiss' approach to his medical practice flows from his convictions about the meaning of life which are deeply rooted in his Catholic Faith. He and his wife Michelle strive for an integrated approach to life which recognizes the unity of the body, mind and soul. They call this approach "Bella Vitae" or "Beautiful Living". He and Michelle are contributing writers to Catholic Online.

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