Saigon cinnamon (Cinnamomum Loureiroi), also known as Vietnamese Cassia or Vietnamese cinnamon, is actually a species of Cassia cinnamon. It is extra spicy, sweeter, and intense in flavor and also has very high coumarin levels (around 8%). Just like Cassia, it is cheap and could be easily found in the market.
Saigon cinnamon is consumed by many people all over the world for its pungent flavor and the many benefits it offers. Apart from flavoring food, Saigon cinnamon has advantages like:
- Easily available.
- Relatively affordable.
- High antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Acts as a natural anesthetic.
- Potentially alleviates Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
- It helps to manage symptoms of metabolic disease.
- Improves digestion.
You may have been using Saigon cinnamon for ages but might not have known about its excellent other benefits. So, this article will unveil the unknown properties of a well-known spice. Let’s get started!
7 Benefits Of Saigon Cinnamon
Primarily produced in Vietnam, Saigon cinnamon was honored as a star in the world of cinnamon and spices over time. Due to its cheap cost and accessibility from any store nearby, Saigon cinnamon is widely used in our kitchens.
This has 1-5% essential oil content and 25% cinnamaldehyde in essential oil. Accordingly, Saigon cinnamon demands a rather high cost among the Cassia species. In addition, this variety of cinnamon has the highest amount of coumarin out of all the types of cinnamon. So, it is advisable to include Saigon moderately in your diet.
So, with that note, let us see what surprising benefits that Saigon cinnamon has to offer.
01- Easily Available.
As stated on top, Saigon is readily available in the market, unlike other types of cinnamon, like Ceylon cinnamon.
You can buy Saigon cinnamon as broken parts of the cinnamon bark and in their powdered form. Generally, the pieces would have a shelf life of up to 2-3 years, while ground cinnamon only lasts up to 6-12 months, depending on their moisture levels.
02 – Relatively Affordable
When it comes to the price of Saigon cinnamon, it could be way cheaper than Ceylon cinnamon. But, due to their high level of cinnamaldehyde in essential oil, it could come with a high price out of other Cassia species.
However, for anyone who needs cinnamon with a strong flavor and a lower price, that person would obviously pick Saigon over any other variety of cinnamon.
03 – High Antioxidant And Anti-Inflammatory Properties.
Saigon cinnamon, which is naturally high in its cinnamaldehyde and eugenol content, is equally rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Moreover, cinnamon contains high amounts of flavonoids which are plant proteins with potent antioxidant activity.
In addition to the health benefits that antioxidant properties give us, it also has been used to delay or prevent food spoilage. So, as an unknown fact by many, Saigon has the ability to help in food preservation too.
04 – Acts As A Natural Anesthetic.
Saigon cinnamon can act as a pain reliever in some instances. For example, people try a cinnamon paste by combining half a teaspoon of cinnamon with water and applying it on the forehead for a sinus headache.
Plus, studies indicate that using a combination of cinnamon powder and honey or ginger can help treat arthritis pain.
In fact, Saigon cinnamon is a good source of manganese which helps in building bones and other connective tissues. This makes cinnamon beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. It also helps to relieve muscle soreness, mainly caused after heavy workouts.
05 – Potentially Alleviates Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is a common condition that affects how a woman’s ovaries function. While the root cause is still a mystery, it is believed to be related to abnormal hormone levels and is linked with insulin resistance.
A clinical trial compared the effects of cinnamon with a placebo over eight weeks. And consequently, significant improvements in insulin resistance were seen in those taking cinnamon.
Furthermore, a recent meta-analysis and systematic review suggested that there were positive results regarding cinnamon and herbal supplements and PCOS parameters.
06 – It Helps To Manage Symptoms Of Metabolic Disease.
You may be already aware of the fact that Saigon cinnamon helps with regulating blood sugar and controlling and preventing diabetes. Thus, if cinnamon has such possible advantages, it would undoubtedly help with managing metabolic disease too.
One review discovered that it could be effective in reducing complications, morbidity, and mortality in metabolic syndrome, including lowering plasma glucose, obesity, and blood pressure. Additionally, Saigon cinnamon would also be used as an appetite suppressant for those with a sugar addiction, thanks to its naturally sweet taste.
07 – Improves Digestion.
Since Saigon cinnamon is high in cinnamaldehyde, it is equally high in anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, Cinnamon extract has been used to relieve gastrointestinal problems in both Western and Eastern medicine over many years.
It has been described as carminative, marking its place for its digestive, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Accordingly, in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, cinnamon bark oil is used for treating flatulence and digestive imbalance.
It is thought that the extra warmth of Saigon cinnamon increases blood flow and improves blood oxygen levels to help fight against illnesses.
To ease digestive symptoms, taking cinnamon as a hot beverage like tea is recommended.
Wrapping Up With Saigon
Saigon cinnamon contains the most amount of cinnamaldehyde that you could find in a type of cinnamon. Consequently, it is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Interestingly, while antioxidants have benefits for human health, it also helps to preserve food by delaying and preventing spoilage.
So, if you need a powerful cinnamon flavor for an affordable price, Saigon would be a good choice which is also readily available. However, consumption should be done in moderation due to its very high coumarin levels.
