Cassia – Cinnamon has long been used as a folk medicinal herb. This plant has gradually gained popularity among consumers because it not only has an appealing scent but also supports therapy and promotes health.
Scientific name: Cinnamomum Cassia – Cinnamon (L.) J. Presl. (Lauraceae family)
1. What is Cassia – Cinnamon?
Cassia – Cinnamon originated in South – China, then widely grown in South Asia and Southeast Asia (India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam).
The unique smell and flavor of Cassia – Cinnamon are due to its high content of the compound cinnamaldehyde, which is also one of the main active ingredients of cinnamon.
2. Cassia – Cinnamon’s usage
Cassia – Cinnamon is a delicious spice. It has been used for thousands of years and is highly valued for its medicinal properties. Modern science has also demonstrated Cassia-Cinnamon’s numerous benefits to humans.
– Antioxidant
Cassia – Cinnamon contains many powerful antioxidants such as polyphenols. Antioxidants help protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
In a study comparing the antioxidant activity of 26 spices, Cassia – Cinnamon was one of the spices with the highest antioxidant capacity (higher than both garlic and oregano). Moreover, Cassia-Cinnamon also can be used as a natural food preservative.
– Anti-inflammatory
Studies show that the antioxidants present in Cassia-Cinnamon have potent anti-inflammatory activity. Inflammation is a response that helps the body fight infection and tissue damage from pathogens. However, inflammation can become a problem as the condition persists and works against the body’s tissues.
– Lower your risk of heart disease
Cassia – Cinnamon has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, according to research (the leading cause of death in the world).
In patients with type 2 diabetes, 1g or ½ teaspoon of Cassia – Cinnamon powder per day has been shown to provide beneficial results on blood tests (reducing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides).
A recent large study concluded that using only 120mg/day of Cassia – Cinnamon powder can also help improve blood glucose and lipids as the study above. In addition, in this study, Cassia-Cinnamon also helped increase HDL cholesterol.
– Improve insulin sensitivity
Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate metabolism and energy use in the body. This hormone is also required for glucose transport in the blood to the cells. However, many people have insulin resistance.
Cassia – Cinnamon has been shown in studies to significantly reduce insulin resistance, assisting this important hormone in its function.
– Prevention of cancer
Cancer is a potentially fatal disease caused by uncontrolled cell multiplication. Cassia – Cinnamon has been extensively researched for its ability to prevent and treat cancer by inhibiting tumor cell growth and angiogenesis. The evidence, however, is limited to in vitro and animal studies.
In one study, compounds in Cassia – Cinnamon activated detoxifying enzymes that help slow cancer progression in mice with colon cancer. Another study in test tubes found that Cassia – Cinnamon activates antioxidant responses that protect colon cells.
3. Livelihood for thousands of farmers in Viet Nam
Cassia – Cinnamon is a native plant that provides high profit for many mountainous people in the country. In terms of Cassia-Cinnamon exports, Vietnam ranks third in the world, trailing only Indonesia and Sri Lanka. India, Japan, and Korea are the primary markets for Vietnamese Cassia – Cinnamon.
Lao Cai province is one of the largest Cassia-Cinnamon-growing areas in the country, with up to 27,000 hectares in 2017. Cassia – Cinnamon bark, essential oils, and wood are the three main products. Cassia – Cinnamon pods are split, graded, and packaged for export to be processed into bars or ground into a cooking powder. Cassia – Cinnamon essential oil is extracted from the leaves, and used in skin care products, to relieve pain and stiffness of joints. The wood from the Cassia-Cinnamon tree is used for furniture and construction.
Cassia – Cinnamon production in Vietnam is increasing in line with its potential since it is a native tree with a long history in the country. Although there are still many significant challenges facing the Cassia-Cinnamon industry, people have steadily improved to ensure quality by following international standards for export, strengthening relationships between businesses and farmers by providing technical support, and investing in factories.
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