Sep 19, 2025

The many health benefits of adding cinnamon to your diet

Aanya Mehta

Loaded with Powerful Antioxidants

Cinnamon contains polyphenols, flavonoids, and powerful antioxidant compounds such as cinnamaldehyde that protect cells from oxidative damage.

Source: healthline/ unsplash

May Prevent or Slow Neurodegenerative Diseases

Laboratory studies show cinnamon extracts can interfere with buildup of tau and beta-amyloid proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease; may also support protection in Parkinson’s models.

Source: healthline/unsplash

Helps Regulate Blood Sugar

Cinnamon may slow the breakdown of carbohydrates in the gut, improve uptake of sugar into cells, and thereby help reduce fasting blood sugar and post meal spikes.

Source: healthline/ unsplash

Cancer Preventive Effects

Some studies (in vitro or animal) indicate cinnamon extracts/cinnamaldehyde may reduce tumour growth, block angiogenesis (formation of blood vessels that feed tumours), or induce cancer cell death.

Source: healthline/ unsplash

Improves Heart Health

Cinnamon can lower total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol, triglycerides; and may slightly raise “good” HDL. Also helps decrease blood pressure in some studies.

Source: healthline/unsplash

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Cinnamon helps reduce inflammation in the body (highly relevant in chronic disease), by lowering markers like C-reactive protein (CRP).

Source: healthline/unsplash

Improves Lipid Profile and Metabolic Syndrome Markers

Cinnamon supplementation in people with metabolic disorders has shown reductions in waist circumference, fasting glucose, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides.

Source: healthline/unsplash

Oral Health Benefits

Cinnamon (especially cinnamaldehyde) has shown antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity. It may help reduce bad breath, prevent dental plaque, and fight certain kinds of infections.

Source: healthline/unsplash

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