For years, home medicines have been used to treat many types of diseases. Studies have also found that many medicines and spices present in our kitchen have natural properties which can help increase the body's immunity and control problems like inflammation, diabetes, and cholesterol. Cinnamon is considered to be one such highly effective medicine that has been used as a spice for years. Whether it is a problem like cold or flu or strengthening the immune system, cinnamon has also been consumed for this.
But do you know that this medicine can be beneficial for you in reducing the risk of prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men? In the latest study, scientists have claimed that many active compounds present in cinnamon can prevent prostate cancer.
It is noteworthy that due to disturbances in lifestyle, the risk of prostate cancer in men is being reported to be increasing rapidly. After lung cancer, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. About one in 41 people die from prostate cancer. Let us know how its risks can be reduced with cinnamon.
Cinnamon may reduce the risk of prostate cancer
Research conducted by Hyderabad-based ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has found cinnamon to be effective in preventing prostate cancer. A study conducted on rats found that rats who orally consumed cinnamon had a reduced risk of early-stage prostate cancer due to its active compounds – cinnamaldehyde and procyanidin B2.
Researchers say that it can have positive effects on humans also.
What did the study find?
The study, published in the International Peer Reviewed Journal 'Cancer Prevention Research', assessed the chemopreventive efficacy of cinnamon in male rats.
During the study, rats were given cinnamon or its bioactive compounds through the diet, this process continued for 16 weeks. Meanwhile, the study authors found that feeding cinnamon or its active compounds significantly reduced the risk of prostate disorders by 60-70 percent in rats.
What do experts say?
Ayesha Ismail, head of the endocrinology division, says, “We tried to understand the possible mechanism for the chemopreventive effect and observed that cinnamon and its active compounds can reduce oxidative stress and also reduce the spread of cancer cells in the prostate gland. Its better results have also been seen in India.
Interestingly, the authors found that it also had beneficial effects on the bone mineral content of rats and reduced deformities. Which means that it can be beneficial for bone problems.
Many health benefits of cinnamon
ICMR-NIN Director Hemlata R says, earlier studies on Indian spices commonly used in dishes have also mentioned a variety of benefits. Some components of cinnamon may prevent the growth of cancer cells. Cinnamon's anti-inflammatory properties also play a role in reducing cellular stress and damage, which are factors associated with cancer development.
In earlier studies, cinnamon was also found beneficial in controlling type-2 diabetes and reducing inflammation in the body.
(PC: Freepik)
