Berlin
Cinnamon not only tastes good, but according to studies should also improve brain performance – and thereby potentially protect against dementia.
Whether in pastries, hot drinks or yoghurts – a pinch Cinammon gives sweet and savory dishes “that certain something”. The spice is not only delicious, but also healthy. Above all, the brain should benefit from the consumption.
If you eat cinnamon regularly, you can improve your memory and possibly even reduce the risk of developing dementia to get sick. came to this impressive result a recent review study by Iranian researchers.
What makes cinnamon so healthy
Cinnamon is a health-promoting all-rounder: Previous studies have shown that cinnamon lowers blood sugar and has an anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effect.
The spice contains a high proportion of antioxidants. The chemical compounds combat oxidative stress, which is suspected of accelerating the aging process and contributing to a variety of diseases such as diabetes and cancer. In addition, cinnamon lowers the cholesterol levelsprotects the heart and is good for the immune system.
The positive effects on memory and its neurological functions are less well known among cinnamon lovers. Researchers at Birjand University of Medical Sciences recently reviewed 40 cinnamon studies, all of which looked at the spice’s effect on brain performance.
The research found that cinnamon and its ingredients significantly improve memory and learning ability. It could also potentially protect against dementia.
How does dementia arise?
What exactly causes neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s dementia is Alzheimer’s Research Initiative not clarified to this day. It has been proven that the protein deposits beta-amyloid plaques and tau firbils play an important role.
Beta-amyloid is a protein found in the body that is broken down in dementia. The disorder causes beta-amyloid plaques, also known as Alzheimer’s plaques, to form, which accumulate between the nerve cells.
The tau proteins are located inside the nerve cells and are actually responsible for the stability and nutrient supply of the cells. In the case of dementia, the tau proteins are also chemically altered.
They then accumulate in the nerve cell and accumulate in the form of fibers known as tau fibrils. As a result, the nerve cells disintegrate and die.
Why might cinnamon protect against dementia?
The study authors write that examining the 40 studies found “that cinnamon and its components (..) may affect memory and learning ability by reducing amyloid plaques in the hippocampus.”
Most of the audited in vivo studies, which are carried out on living organisms such as humans, mice or other animals, confirmed the significantly positive effect of cinnamon on brain performance. In addition, In vitro studies (in the laboratory or in test tubes) that the components of cinnamon increase cell growth and cell viability and slow down the accumulation of tau proteins.
Even if the majority of the study results indicate that cinnamon has a positive effect on brain performance and could therefore potentially protect against dementia, according to the researchers further studies (including in humans) must be carried out to prove such an effect.
More articles from this category can be found here: Life
