September’s food of the month is: cinnamon!
Derived from the Greek word meaning “sweet wood”, cinnamon is one of the most commonly used ingredients in South Asian cooking. From curries and biryani to desserts or sprinkling a little in your morning tea, its fragrance lures family members to the table to share in the flavorful meals known to South Asia.
Aside from the aroma and the comforting taste of cinnamon, this spice is packed with minerals and vitamins that improve mental functioning and health. Primarily, cinnamon is an excellent source of manganese, which is essential for optimal brain functioning. Diets high in manganese are often prescribed to people exhibiting depressive symptoms such as irritability, low mood, fatigue and sadness. Manganese is also necessary for regulating blood sugar levels. Deregulated blood sugar is a common cause for low mood and thus a diet high in manganese can help.
Cinnamon is known as a super ingredient for the brain. Research conducted in 2004 concluded that people who smelled cinnamon or chewed cinnamon flavored gum experienced an enhancement of numerous brain functions. Significantly more than any other scent or flavor, people in the cinnamon group showed an improvement in memory, visual motor speed and recognition. Their attention was much better as was their focus. In fact, the results were so promising that further studies have been conducted identifying cinnamon as a potential preventative treatment for Alzheimer’s disease as well as other degenerative disorders and anxiety.
The spice is also a good source of dietary fiber. Foods high in fiber can reduce mood symptoms such as listlessness, lack of interest in activities and sadness. Fiber is also essential for clarity in thinking and attention.
One serving of cinnamon can provide about 10% of your daily iron intake. Iron deficiency has been shown in numerous research studies to cause depression and its related symptoms such as weakness, exhaustion, loss of appetite and headaches.
Cinnamon extracts are also widely used for indigestion, stomach cramps, nausea. flatulence, and diarrhea all common symptoms of anxiety and stress. In addition, chronic stress and anxiety can cause stomach ulcers, which have been shown to reduce when incorporating cinnamon into your diet.
While cinnamon may be known for its powerful effects on the body, such as having anti-clotting effects, controlling blood sugar which is especially helpful for those living with Type 2 diabetes, and lowering LDL (the bad cholesterol), it is also a super spice for its effects on the mind and brain as well. It is an essential ingredient to add to your diet and live a healthier lifestyle.
It is important to note that taking high doses of cinnamon can be toxic so please consult your physician or a nutritionist before making changes to your diet.
How do you like to eat cinnamon?