Super source
Energy
281 kcal · 14% DV target
A fragrant, woody spice harvested from the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, cinnamon provides a warm sweetness to dishes and is a dense source of protective polyphenols.
Cinnamon is well-established for its potential to lower fasting blood glucose and improve lipid profiles, including reductions in total cholesterol and triglycerides . However, major clinical guidelines note that there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend it as a formal treatment for glycemic control in diabetes management .12811
The spice contains notable amounts of dietary fiber, calcium, iron, and manganese, though these are typically consumed in small quantities when used as a seasoning .2
Regular consumption may have a modest impact on cardiovascular health by reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, particularly when used consistently for periods longer than eight to twelve weeks .7
While many studies show improvements in short-term glucose markers, meta-analyses consistently find that cinnamon does not significantly affect hemoglobin A1c (a measure of long-term blood sugar levels) .19
Petal shape shows the nine FoodCompass domains, including nutrient density, processing, satiety, fats, and phytochemicals.
281 kcal · 14% DV target
42.0 g · 15% DV target
38.8 g · 138% DV target
27.7 g · 55% DV target
1.16 mg · 8% DV target
1116 mg · 86% DV target
Seasonality has not been estimated for this ingredient yet.
Store in a cool, dark place to preserve essential oils.
Perennial bark harvesting is generally low-impact, though transport from tropical regions adds to the carbon footprint.
In ancient Egypt, cinnamon was so highly valued that it was used as a key ingredient in the embalming process and was considered more precious than gold.