Cinnamon is a popular ingredient in many baking recipes and adds a special touch to meals. The spice has an unmistakable smell and taste.
Incidentally, it can also improve a person’s cognitive abilities, as a study shows.
Cinnamon study: positive effect on the brain
A research team from the Iranian Birjand University of Medical Sciences searched a database for studies that dealt with the effects of cinnamon. from the over 2600 results the researchers selected 40 studies and took a closer look at their results. The results were published in the journal “Nutritional Neuroscience” published.
Most of the studies (33 out of 40) examined the effects of cinnamon or its components on living organisms. One showed up positive effect on cognitive performance.
Five studies looked at the effects of cinnamon on cells. These indicate that cinnamon components Cell growth as well as cell viability increase. In addition, there is evidence that cinnamon effective against Alzheimer’s and dementia could be. Compounds in cinnamon appear to have the ability to slow down the deposition of two proteins: so-called “tau proteins” and “beta-amyloid proteins.” These two proteins are closely related to the development of dementia.
Cinnamon can also have negative effects – further studies needed
Beta amyloid occurs naturally in the body. “In Alzheimer’s disease, the breakdown of the amyloid precursor protein changes,” explains the initiative “Alzheimer research“. As a result, a toxic degradation product is deposited, which clumps together – and can no longer be broken down by the body. Alzheimer’s disease also leads to a chemical change in the tau protein. The mutated protein attaches to cells, which causes them to disintegrate and lose their function.
To what extent cinnamon actually has a positive effect on cognitive performance and the fight against dementia, further studies need to show. In the investigations of the research team, two studies came to different results with regard to cognitive performance, in one of which no positive changes were observed at all. Prediabetic participants were asked to eat a slice of bread with two grams of cinnamon every day – but this had no significant impact on memory performance.
It should also be borne in mind that the consumption of cinnamon also affect negatively can. In the event of an overdose, people quickly suffer from dizziness, nausea and similar symptoms. “In very sensitive people or a large amount of cinnamon consumed, it can even signs of intoxication and liver damage come”, explains “nv“. These symptoms are triggered by the flavoring substance coumarin, which is contained in cinnamon.
Cinnamon as a booster for medicines?
So it is still unclear how long, how often and in what (healthy) amount cinnamon has to be eaten for it to have a positive effect. According to the research team, however, it is conceivable to use cinnamon as a booster for medicines. However, further studies are needed first.
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