In daily life, cinnamon is a common spice in the kitchen. Whether it is the cinnamon rolls in Western baking, which exude sweetness and warmth, or the small piece added to Chinese stewed meat, which adds a unique flavor to the dishes, it plays an important role in flavoring and is deeply loved by people.
But have you ever thought that this familiar cinnamon, after extraction, is quietly emerging in the fields of medicine and health care, and has become a new darling in the scientific research community?
With the rapid development of scientific research technology, scientists have gradually deepened their research on cinnamon and found that the substances extracted from cinnamon contain huge value and show exciting potential in many fields.
From basic component analysis, to the exploration of mechanism of action, to the research of practical applications, the mystery of cinnamon extract is being unveiled bit by bit.
Source and Process of Cinnamon Extract
Cinnamon extract, as the name implies, is the essence extracted from the dried bark of cinnamon, a plant of the Lauraceae family. As a plant, cinnamon mainly grows in warm and humid southern regions, such as Guangxi and Guangdong, where the unique climatic conditions provide a high-quality environment for the growth of cinnamon.
Cinnamon trees are evergreen all year round, and the bark presents a unique gray-brown color, exuding a strong aromatic smell.
The extraction process of cinnamon extract has strict operating steps. First, mature cinnamon bark is collected, carefully selected, and impurities are removed to ensure the purity of the raw materials. Then, the selected cinnamon bark is crushed into fine particles to increase its contact area with the solvent and improve the extraction efficiency.
After that, the crushed cinnamon bark particles are usually soaked in a specific solvent so that the active ingredients are fully dissolved in the solvent. After the extraction is completed, the residue is filtered to remove the residue, and a filtrate containing the active ingredient is obtained.
Then, the solvent in the filtrate is removed by evaporation and other methods to concentrate the extract. After drying, a common cinnamon extract is obtained, which can be in the form of powder or paste, which is convenient for storage and subsequent use.
Main Components of Cinnamon
Cinnamon extracts are rich in ingredients, among which volatile oils are an important component, with a content of about 1%-2 %. In some high-quality extracts, this content can even reach 5.86%. Volatile oils give cinnamon extracts a unique aroma that is unforgettable.
Among volatile oils, cinnamaldehyde is the most critical component, usually accounting for 52.92% – 61.20%. It is not only the main source of cinnamon aroma, but also has a variety of pharmacological activities. It is one of the core substances for cinnamon to exert its efficacy.
In addition to cinnamaldehyde, volatile oils also contain a small amount of cinnamyl acetate, eugenol and other ingredients. These ingredients work together to form the complex and unique aroma and characteristics of cinnamon extracts.
In cinnamon extracts, there are also some other ingredients, such as organic acids such as cinnamic acid and ethyl phenylpropionate, as well as diterpenoid compounds such as cinnamyl alcohol, anhydrous cinnamyl alcohol, and acetyl cinnamyl alcohol. Although these components are present in relatively small amounts, they play an integral role in the overall efficacy of cinnamon extract.
The Power of Cinnamon Extract
Cinnamon extract is a concentrate of a popular spice obtained from the bark of cinnamon trees, especially true cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and cassia (Cinnamomum cassia). It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and modern research is beginning to confirm its many benefits. Here’s a closer look at its potential benefits:
Regulate blood sugar and help diabetics
For diabetic patients, stable control of blood sugar is crucial. Cinnamon extract has shown remarkable effects in this regard. It can promote the secretion of insulin, just like injecting vitality into the blood sugar regulation “helper” in the body, allowing insulin to work better. At the same time, cinnamon extract can also enhance insulin sensitivity, making cells more sensitive to insulin, so that glucose can be absorbed and utilized more effectively, keeping blood sugar levels in a relatively stable state.
Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, health shield
Cinnamon extract also has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory capabilities. It is like a healthy shield for the body, which can resist the invasion of various bacteria. Studies have found that cinnamon extract has a significant inhibitory effect on common bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
When these bacteria try to “make trouble” in the human body or other environments, the active ingredients in cinnamon extract can destroy the bacterial cell membrane, just like piercing the “protective membrane” of the bacteria, making it impossible for the bacteria to survive and reproduce normally, thereby reducing the risk of infection.
In the medical field, the antibacterial properties of cinnamon extract have received widespread attention. In terms of food preservation, cinnamon extract is also very useful.
For example, adding cinnamon extract to some meat processing can extend the shelf life of meat products, maintain their freshness and flavor, reduce food spoilage caused by bacterial growth, and make consumers eat more assured.
The guardian of cardiovascular system
Cardiovascular disease is a major “killer” threatening human health, and cinnamon extract has an outstanding performance in preventing and improving cardiovascular disease. It can lower the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, clean up the “garbage” in the blood vessels, and make the blood flow smoother.
At the same time, cinnamon extract can inhibit the aggregation of platelets and prevent the formation of blood clots, just like putting a “safety lock” on the blood vessels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular blockage.
In addition, it also has the effect of dilating peripheral blood vessels, keeping blood vessels elastic, lowering blood pressure, and protecting cardiovascular health in all directions.
A good helper for digestion
In daily life, many people may encounter problems such as indigestion, bloating, and stomach pain, and cinnamon extract can be a good helper for our digestion.
It can stimulate gastrointestinal motility, just like injecting “power” into the stomach and intestines, allowing food to be digested and absorbed faster in the gastrointestinal tract.
At the same time, cinnamon extract can also enhance the secretion of digestive juices, such as gastric juice and intestinal juice. These digestive juices are like “catalysts” for food digestion, which can better decompose food and improve digestion efficiency.
Brain Energy Booster
As people age, their memory and attention may gradually decline, and they may even face the threat of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Some antioxidants contained in cinnamon extract are like the “guardian” of the brain, which can protect nerve cells from damage by free radicals and maintain the normal function of nerve cells.
At the same time, these antioxidants can also promote signal transmission between nerve cells, making the brain’s “information highway” more unobstructed, thereby improving memory and attention.
Diversity of Application Areas
Emerging in the pharmaceutical field
In the field of medicine, cinnamon extract is gradually becoming a hot spot for research and development. Many scientific research teams are committed to developing medicines and health products with cinnamon extract as the main ingredient.
In the research and development of hypoglycemic drugs, cinnamon extract has become an important research direction due to its effect of regulating blood sugar.
Some pharmaceutical companies have tried to combine cinnamon extract with other hypoglycemic ingredients to develop compound preparations to improve the treatment effect and provide more treatment options for diabetic patients.
For erectile dysfunction, a common male disease, cinnamon extract has also shown potential therapeutic value. Studies have found that certain components in cinnamon extract can significantly inhibit PDE5A protein, which is closely related to the mechanism of action for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
At present, there are related patents and research reports that provide theoretical support for the development of new drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
In terms of intestinal health, cinnamon extract has a protective effect on the intestinal mucosa, can reduce intestinal inflammation, and promote the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria.
Some studies have applied cinnamon extract to the development of drugs for the treatment of intestinal diseases such as enteritis and diarrhea, which is expected to bring new treatment options for patients with intestinal diseases.
Adding color and flavor to the food industry
In the food industry, cinnamon extract has a wide range of applications. As a natural spice, it can add a unique flavor to a variety of foods.
In baked goods, whether it is sweet bread or crispy biscuits, adding cinnamon extract can exude a rich aroma, which greatly increases people’s appetite. Like the classic cinnamon roll, the unique sweet taste is largely due to cinnamon extract.
In the field of beverages, cinnamon extract also shows its prowess. It can add a different flavor to beverages such as coffee and tea.
For example, adding a little cinnamon extract to latte can instantly enhance the layering and unique taste of the beverage. Adding cinnamon extract to juice drinks can also play a certain preservative role and extend the shelf life of the beverage.
In meat processing, cinnamon extract also plays an important role. It not only adds flavor to meat products, but also acts as a natural preservative to inhibit bacterial growth, extend the shelf life of meat products, and reduce food spoilage problems caused by microbial contamination, so that consumers can eat more assured.
Other potential applications
In addition to the medical and food fields, cinnamon extract also has potential application value in other areas. In the field of cosmetics, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, cinnamon extract is believed to be used to develop skin care products with anti-aging and anti-wrinkle effects.
It can remove free radicals in the skin, reduce oxidative damage to skin cells, delay skin aging, reduce skin inflammation, and improve skin health.
In the agricultural field, cinnamon extract is also expected to play a role. Studies have found that cinnamon extract has an inhibitory effect on some common crop pests and pathogens, and can be used as a natural pesticide substitute to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and reduce environmental pollution, providing new ideas for the development of green agriculture.
Precautions for Use
Applicable people and contraindications
Although cinnamon extract has many benefits, it is not suitable for everyone. For people with high blood sugar, cinnamon extract is a good choice. It can help regulate blood sugar and help maintain blood sugar at a relatively stable level, so that diabetic patients have an additional health guarantee in addition to diet.
People with low immunity can also appropriately supplement cinnamon extract. The various ingredients it contains can enhance the body’s resistance, resist the invasion of external pathogens, and reduce the risk of illness.
For people with weak digestive function, such as those who often have bloating and indigestion, cinnamon extract can stimulate gastrointestinal motility, enhance digestive juice secretion, improve digestive function, and allow food to be better digested and absorbed.
However, pregnant women should avoid using cinnamon extract. This is because cinnamon extract is hot in nature, which may cause excessive heat in pregnant women, cause fetal movement and even increase the risk of miscarriage. For the health of the fetus, pregnant women need to be cautious.
People with Yin deficiency and excessive fire should not use it. This kind of people have insufficient Yin fluid in their bodies and excessive Yang Qi.
After using cinnamon extract, it will further promote the heat evil in the body, aggravating symptoms such as five heart irritability, insomnia, night sweats, dry mouth and throat.
Patients with fever should also stay away from cinnamon extract. Fever is mostly caused by exogenous warm evil or excessive Yang heat in the body. Using cinnamon extract will worsen the condition and is not conducive to the body’s recovery.
Safe dosage control
When using cinnamon extract, it is crucial to control the safe dose. Generally speaking, the recommended safe daily intake for adults is about 0.4 grams. But this is not an absolute standard.
The specific intake needs to be adjusted under the guidance of a doctor or professional according to personal physical condition, age, weight and other factors. If cinnamon extract is taken in excess, it may cause a series of side effects.
When using cinnamon extract, we must also keep in mind the applicable population and taboos, strictly control the safe dose, and ensure its safety and effectiveness.
In the future, with the continuous deepening of scientific research, it is believed that the potential of cinnamon extract in more fields will be further explored, providing new ideas and methods for solving more health problems and social needs.
It is expected to play a greater role in the development of new drugs, the development of functional foods, the development of green agriculture, and other aspects, and bring more benefits to human health and sustainable development.
