Can You Eat Cinnamon Sticks?

Can You Eat Cinnamon Sticks?

Cinnamon is an ancient spice that’s obtained from the inner bark of several tree species. It’s commonly used for its aroma and flavoring in various cuisines, sweet and savory dishes, breakfast, cereals, snacks, traditional foods, and even tea. 

The major components that provide the flavor and aroma are eugenol and cinnamaldehyde. While most people agree that cinnamon is an excellent ingredient in most cuisines, the unanswered question remains, whether you can eat cinnamon sticks. 

Can you eat cinnamon sticks? Yes, you can eat cinnamon sticks and experience minimal issues when consuming in moderate amounts. However, that’s not the best state to eat cinnamon. You’d rather explore other ways of adding it to meals and drinks to enjoy the flavor and aroma best

How Can You Use Cinnamon Sticks?

Using ground Cinnamon in your kitchen is common, but do you know there are awesome ways of using cinnamon sticks in your kitchen? 

You can use it as a stirring stick for your cocktails, tea, or coffee, infuse in your coffee or tea, flavor your broth, simmer with oatmeal or use it in the preparation of fried curry rice. 

Method #1: Infuse Cinnamon Sticks in a Pot

Cut the cinnamon sticks into smaller pieces and place them on your ground coffee or in your tea infuser before brewing. You can also add other warm spices such as clove, ginger, cardamom, or star anise. 

Method #2: Stirring Cedar, Tea, Cocktails, or Coffee 

This is among the simplest way of incorporating cinnamon sticks into your daily routine. Serve each cup with a cinnamon stick stirrer. Allow the spice to infuse into your drink. 

Method #3: Simmer with Oatmeal

As you wait for your cereals like oatmeal to cook, you can add cinnamon sticks to add flavor. 

Method #4: Making Broths with Cinnamon Sticks  

If you like making your chicken broths, add cinnamon sticks for a better taste. Allow it to simmer under low heat, and you’ll love the outcome. You can also use it with bone soup to increase the taste and nutritional value. 

Method #5: Curry Rice Preparation

If you want to make your fried rice better, consider adding a few cinnamon sticks. 

What are the Health Benefits of Eating Cinnamon Sticks? 

If you are considering whether you should include cinnamon sticks as part of your diet, the answer is a resounding yes. The reason is, cinnamon has a tone of benefits. 

Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties that help in dealing with diseases, can help in the management of blood sugar and also hypertension.

Benefit #1: Anti-inflammatory Properties 

Cinnamon is great at fighting infections and repairing tissue damage, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. You can add it in ground form to your tea or coffee and enjoy this benefit. 

Benefit #2: Cinnamon has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties

These elements are known for treating certain respiratory tract fungal infections and inhibiting the growth of certain strains of bacteria. You can also add it to your diet to help with bad breath and tooth decay. 

Benefit #3: Blood Thinning 

This incredible spice is excellent in blood thinning, thus improving circulation. Better blood flow increases metabolism that plays an important role in weight loss. But something worth noting is that you should avoid taking cinnamon with blood-thinning drugs. 

Benefit #4: Aid in Blood Sugar Control 

During the thinning process, cinnamon controls the amount of glucose entering the bloodstream. The enzyme that resembles insulin improves glucose intake by cells, providing an anti-diabetic outcome. 

Benefit #5: Home Treatment of Common Cold and Flu 

If you have a common cold or cough, just put some cinnamon in some hot water and drink. You can also add ginger, garlic, and honey, to make a concoction that will help you relieve the cold. 

You can also take it as a preventive measure against colds. 

Benefit #6: Anti-oxidant Properties 

Anti-oxidants are designed to protect the body against damage from free radicals. Cinnamon sticks have incredible anti-oxidants like polyphenols. Because of these properties, cinnamon can be used as a natural preservative. 

Do Cinnamon Sticks Have Side Effects? 

Well, the answer is yes and no

When you take cinnamon sticks in moderate amounts and you don’t have underlying issues or taking medicines that can cause interactions, then you’ll not experience any side effects. However, too much of cinnamon is likely to have negative effects on your body. 

#1: Lower Blood Sugar 

While moderate amounts of cinnamon are good in lowering blood sugar, an excess will make your blood sugar drop too low. This can result in dizziness, shakiness, fatigue, and increased anxiety levels. 

If you are taking diabetes drugs, you can talk to your doctor about cinnamon levels. 

#2: Liver Damage 

Cinnamon contains coumarin, and too much of it has been linked with liver damage. This is even worse if you have chronic liver problems. 

Always consult your physician if in doubt. 

#3: Interactions with Drugs 

The elements in cinnamon can make it harder to manage some conditions like diabetes or liver disease. If you are taking blood thinners, you should also talk to your specialist. 

Carelessness can result in reduced drug effectiveness. 

#4: Allergic Reactions

Some people develop an allergy to cinnamon, while some are born with it. Common symptoms include upset stomach or skin irritation upon ingestion. 

#5: Respiratory Issues

When you take too much ground cinnamon in one seating, you can easily develop breathing problems such as gagging, coughing, or strain when trying to catch your breath. 

Cinnamon also contains cinnamaldehyde, known to be a throat irritant. To remain safe, just take ground cinnamon in moderate levels. 

Final Thoughts 

  • Cinnamon sticks are harvested from the inner bark of certain tree species. 
  • You can eat cinnamon sticks, but make sure you do it in moderation. For better taste, add the spice to meals and drinks. 
  • Cinnamon sticks have many health benefits, from lowering blood sugar to preventing body damage, thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties. 
  • Excess cinnamon can affect your liver, breathing and have interactions with certain drugs. 
  • You can use cinnamon sticks variously in your kitchen to make broths, drinks, or even fried curry rice.