For centuries trading nations who reign the silk rout came in search of the finest quality cinnamon to Sri Lanka. And still Sri Lanka is the world’s largest exporter of best quality cinnamon or the highest grade cinnamon of cinnamon family. Cinnamon grown and produced in Sri Lanka has acquired a long standing reputation in the international market due to its unique quality, colour, flavour and aroma. .
At present Cinnamon is widely used as a food ingredient as well as in pharmaceutical preparations and in the cosmetics industry worldwide. High in antioxidants, it is considered a product which is good for overall health. Volatile oil of Cinnamon is widely used in perfumes, cosmetics and scented exotic gifts.
Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, also known as a true cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon is indigenous to Sri Lanka and southern parts of India. It has wide applications in diverse industries, including food & beverage, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, perfumery and oral care. It is still used daily in many cultures because of the widespread benefits and its distinctly sweet, warming taste and ease of use in culinary purposes.
The cinnamon of commerce is the dried inner bark of the tree. Cinnamon primarily contains essential oils and other derivatives, such as cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate. The main compound of cinnamon essential oil is cinnamaldehyde which is the chemical compound that gives a specific spicy aroma and flavor of cinnamon. The volatile oils obtained from the bark, leaf, and root barks vary significantly in chemical composition, with primary constituents such as cinnamaldehyde (in bark), eugenol (in leaf) and camphor (in root-bark). This suggests that they might vary in their pharmacological effects as well. Thus, cinnamon offers an array of different oils with diverse characteristics, each of which determines its’ value in different industries.
Cassia (Cinnamon cassia), so called substitute for true cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon, contains appreciable amounts of coumarin (1,2-benzopyrone), which is a secondary metabolite with strong carcinogenic and hepatotoxic (chemical-driven liver damage) properties. Sri Lanka is the world’s largest producer and exporter of Ceylon cinnamon to the world with 90% of global market share. Cassia is produced in large quantities by other countries whereas production of Ceylon cinnamon is mainly by Sri Lanka. However, in the global market, no distinction is made between cassia cinnamon and true cinnamon, and both identified as cinnamon. In view of the above, Ceylon cinnamon, a unique and versatile spice, has an immense potential in the global market, though competencies and competitive advantage over cassia is yet to be promoted strongly.
Today, markets are increasingly globalized and dynamic, consumers are increasingly becoming health- conscious and there is a growing interest in natural food additives and flavors. It has been extensively revealed that the beneficial chemical constituents present in cinnamon offer wide variety of medicinal benefits.
Potential Role of Cinnamon
Initially in vitro (carried out outside human body) and later clinical trials in humans from different parts of the world have demonstrated numerous beneficial health effects of Ceylon cinnamon, such as antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-diabetic activity, anti-cancer activity and reducing neurological damage and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Research carried out in reputed laboratories around the world have found that the spice ranks No. 1 out of 26 of the most popular herbs and spices in the world in terms of its protective antioxidant levels. It is a spice commonly used worldwide and it is shown to be effective in improving health due to its functional properties that reduce free radical damage. To date, 41 different protective compounds have been identified in cinnamon. Due to the presence of these compounds, cinnamon possess a wide range of other health benefits, including anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Antioxidant Effect
Antioxidant compounds present in foodstuffs play a vital role in human life, acting as health-protecting agents. Cinnamon was proved to be higher in antioxidants than many other herbs and spices. The beneficial properties of cinnamon and its isolated compounds, including polyphenols, are mostly attributed to their antioxidant activity. These compounds work to fight oxidative stress in the body by neutralizing harmful free radicals and other toxic compounds. This contributes to the reduction of risk of chronic disease such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Although early studies on the antioxidant activity of cinnamon was confined to in vitro studies, recently many human clinical trials have been conducted to find the effect of cinnamon on oxidative stress. Review of these research has concluded that cinnamon reduce oxidative stress levels in humans.
Reflect Inflammation
Inflammation is part of our immune response which leads to destroy harmful pathogens that entered our body. After the destruction of the pathogens, immune response including inflammation subsides. Harmful compounds produce in inflammation could harm not only pathogens but also our own cells which in long term could lead to chronic diseases. In the modern-day environment we are constantly exposed to many toxic compounds through inhalation, digestive tract and through the skin thus stimulating our immune system resulting in inflammation. Although the degree of inflammation is low in such instances compared to infection by pathogens, prolonged low degree inflammation also could lead to chronic diseases. The antioxidants in cinnamon can help relieve chronic inflammation by neutralizing the harmful compounds produced during inflammation. Thus, lowering the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and cognitive decline. Researchers have identified many different types of flavonoids in cinnamon, all of which are highly effective at neutralizing harmful compounds during inflammation. Review of recent human clinical trials, where biomarkers of inflammation was studied showed that cinnamon could reduce inflammation in humans contributing to reduction of risk of chronic diseases.
Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease)
Prolonged oxidative stress and inflammation are high risk factors for heart diseases. Reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation by cinnamon significantly contribute to the reduction of risk of heart disease. In addition, blood cholesterol lowering ability of cinnamon also has been demonstrated in research further contributing to the risk reduction in heart disease. High blood pressure is one of the important risk factors in heart disease and stroke. Recent review of human clinical trials carried out on effect of cinnamon on high blood pressure had concluded that cinnamon could significantly reduce high blood pressure suggesting that cinnamon supplementation could be used in managing high blood pressure. All these mechanisms mentioned above collectively contribute to reduce the risk of heart diseases.
Anti-Diabetic Activity
Most common type of diabetes (Type 2 diabetes) prevalent in the world is due to impaired production of insulin or impaired potential (or activity) of insulin. Insulin is the hormone that controls the blood sugar levels and keeps it within normal range. Research studies have found that cinnamon can increase both the production and potential of insulin. In fact, a polymeric polyphenolic compound found in cinnamon was identified as an ‘insulin potentiating factor’.
Recent review of human clinical trials revealed that cinnamon consumption could lower blood sugar levels thus indicating the potential of cinnamon to reduce the risk of diabetes specially type 2 diabetes.
Anti-Cancer Activity
Cancer initiation is by damage to the DNA in human body. This damage is initiated by toxic carcinogenic compounds that had entered our body. Antioxidant activity of cinnamon components could contribute reducing the risk of cancer initiation by neutralizing these harmful compounds in the human body. In addition, research had shown that cinnamon could reduce tumor growth also. As cancerous tissues grow very fast, one of the requirements for the progression of cancer is the formation of new blood vessels to provide the nutrients for the fast-growing cancer. This is known as “angiogenesis”. Research has shown that cinnamon has anti-angiogenic properties that can reduce growth of cancer. “Apoptosis” or the process of programmed cell death is important in preventing cancer progression. Impairment of apoptosis is often associated with rapid progression of cancer. Research has demonstrated that cinnamon could improve apoptosis thus contributing to reduce the risk of progression of cancer.
The above mechanisms contribute to the anti-cancer properties of cinnamon.
Anti-Microbial Properties
Customarily cinnamon is considered as a spice having anti-microbial properties. Recent scientific studies have also proven the antimicrobial activities of cinnamon against different types of bacteria and have shown that cinnamon extracts, essential oils, and individual compounds in cinnamon have the ability to inhibit bacteria. This is achieved through damaging cell membrane of the bacteria and inhibiting the metabolism. Thus, the age-old beliefs on anti-microbial activities of cinnamon have also been confirmed by modern scientific research.
Industrial Application of Cinnamon
Cinnamon and its essential oils are widely used in a range of industries. Cinnamon is mainly used in the aroma and essence industries due to its fragrance, which can be incorporated into different varieties of foodstuffs, perfumes and personal care products. In the food and beverage industry, cinnamon is used as a flavoring additive and aromatic condiment. It is also used as a flavoring in certain alcoholic beverages. Owing to its medicinal properties, including its benefits as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial, this spice is used in the production of various medicines and medical supplements as well as in ayurvedic remedies. Nutraceutical industry is a dynamic, innovative and an expanding business that attracted a lot of interest as dietary supplements promoting health and wellness. Cinnamon has many applications in various nutraceutical products that formulate in the form of capsules, powder, or pills. Use of cinnamon in aromatherapy gaining popularity in wellness industry. In the cosmetics industry, cinnamon extract is used as an essential oil which can be used as an ingredient in various personal care products. Apart from those applications, cinnamon is also used in preparations in insect repellent.
In conclusion, cinnamon is a versatile spice much sought after nowadays and has an immense potential to made into diverse array of products and formulation for the benefit of the mankind.
