Health Benefits
Ceylon cinnamon is known to offer plenty of health benefits including the following
Diabetes
recent studies have found that cinnamon may help control blood sugar levels. In 2003, for example, Diabetes care found that people with type 2 diabetes who took 1,3 or 6 grams of cinnamon reduced their fasting blood glucose level by 18-29 present. And also reduced LDL cholesterol by 7-27 percent and total cholesterol by 12-26 percent
Alzheimer’s disease
According to 2009 study extracts of Ceylon cinnamon inhabits the formation of the proteins and filaments that are the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers isolated a certain flavonoid from the cinnamon and determined it had the majority if the inhibitory properties.
Cancer
One animal study found that a particular component in cinnamon impaired the proliferation of cancer cells and slowed tumor growth. A second study published in 2010 also found that cinnamon extracts were directly linked with anti-tumor effects
Anti-inflammatory
A study from South Korea found that compound from cassia cinnamon had promise as an anti-inflammatory agent with potential in treating dyspepsia, gastritis and inflammatory diseasesAnti-microbial, several studies have indicated that cinnamon has the ability to fight off bacteria.One published in 2007 for example ,found that even low concentration boosted the activity of antibiotic ““clindamycin” study authors wrote that the result suggested that cinnamon could be used in combination therapy againinst certain stubborn strains of bacterial infections
As far as other health benefits related to cinnamon, such as weight loss, the research is still limited. A scientific analysis published in 2010 reviewed the studies published to date, and concluded that cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, cardiovascular, cholesterol-lowering, and immunomodulatory effects. It added that animal studies have demonstrated strong blood-sugar-lowering properties, and that cinnamon as an adjunct to the treatment of type 2 diabetes is a “most promising area.”
Products and Uses
Cinnamon bark is largely available in the form of quills and making quills is unique to Sri Lanka. Quills are made by rolling the pealed bark and join several of them together to get a pipe like structure in the required length. Other than that pieces of bark are available as chips, quillings or featherings. Cinnamon is unique plant which has essential oil in leaves, bark and roots but chemical composition of them are completely different from each other. Essential oils are produced from both bark and leaves; major chemical in bark oil is Cinnamaldehyde and in leaf oil Euginol. Cinnamon is also available in pure ground form or as n ingredient in curry mixtures and pelleted form too.
Cinnamon is mostly used in cooking and baking. Cinnamon is a versatile spice which can be added to any food item such as salads, confectionaries, beverages, soups, stews and sauces. Cinnamon drink made by immersing pieces of bark in hot water is popular among Latin American countries. Cinnamon flavored tea is becoming popular. It is also used as a common ingredient in Chinese ad Aurvedic medicine. Cinnamon leaf and bark oils are used to flavor food products, in perfumery industry and in pharmaceutical industry.
Main Markets
USA & Mexico are the main markets for Ceylon Cinnamon. Colombia, Equador, Peru, Spain, Gautemala, Chile and Bolivia are the other countries which consume a considerable amount of Ceylon Cinnamon. Sri Lanka has an immense potential to penetrate into niche market segments in the International market. Sri Lanka’s exports represent 41.13% of world exports for this product, its ranking in world exports is
Branding Of Ceylon Cinnamon
Branding of Pure Ceylon Cinnamon and promoting it as a global brand in target markets is very important to highlight the main characteristics of the Ceylon Cinnamon and differentiate the Cinnamon from Cassia to gain the comparative advantage. Accordingly Ceylon Cinnamon has introduced to the international market as a branded product namely “Pure Ceylon Cinnamon” which reflects a combination of several intrinsic characteristics discussed earlier. EDB has completed the registration of ‘Pure Ceylon Cinnamon’ trademark in Europe and USA and obtained the certificates of registration from both countries.
Importance of Complying with Quality Standards
- Quality determines the value of Cinnamon exports which helps to reach the target of US $500mn in 2015
- Problems are encountered due to quality failures of exported cinnamon in international market and there is a risk of losing international market for Sri Lankan Cinnamon.
- As a country we have to ensure that Sri Lanka exports good quality products to international market
- Quality products are more competitive in the international market and increase the confidence in food products .Quality needs for high level protection of consumer/human health