CINNAMON TREES CAN SAVE LIVES NOW

Edible tree bark is saving lives now.

Researchers at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy and Cancer Center recently discovered that cinnamaldehyde, which gives cinnamon its unique smell and taste, can protect against colorectal cancer.

After salt and pepper, cinnamon, taken from the bark of the cinnamon tree, is the 3rd most-consumed spice in the world. 

The study, led by Dr. Georg T Wondrak, PhD and Dr. Donna Zhang, entitled "Nrf2-Dependent Suppression of Azoxymethane/Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colon Carcinogenesis by the Cinnamon-Derived Dietary Factor Cinnamaldehyde," showed that the simple addition of cinnamaldehyde to mouse food, them protected from colorectal cancer.

Further studies on whole cinnamon will determine whether it can have the same cancer-fighting effect as the pure isolated compound cinnamaldehyde.

Previous studies, conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), looked effects of the cinnamon extract in halting the progression of leukemia and lymphoma cells in vitro (petri dish).

These studies found that the cinnamon extract effectively reduced the proliferation rate of the cancer cells over a 24-hour time span, which is the time necessary for one doubling of the cell population. And, the higher the dose of cinnamon extract, the greater the reduction in cell proliferation -- as much as 50% reduction.

Another fascinating attribute of cinnamon tree bark:  its extract mimics insulin -- both are polyphenols. And it raises the question as to whether or not there is a possible link between diabetes and cancer. Studies are slated to determine if cinnamaldehyde or cinnamon is effective in the prevention of diabetes and other inflammatory diseases.

Read more about Beautiful Trees in Beautiful Images & Ideas About Trees Now and A Beautiful New Way of Seeing Trees Now.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: Courtesy of Cinnamon 4X. Cinnamon Tree.
2. Image: by Lex McKee. Cinnamon Bark Tree at Greys Court.
3. Image: by Josh Kellogg. Cinnamon Swirls.
4. Image: by kattebelletje. Kaneelschors.
5. Image: by nathanmac87. Cinnamon Curl.
6. Image: Leda C. Cinnamon.
7. Image: by Hisakazu Watanabe. Sweet Cinnamon Bun…
8. Image: by Laura Shefler. Cinnamon.
9. Image: by Meng He. Saint Lucia Day. Castries Market.
10. Image: by Naiyaru. Cinnamon Sticks.
11. Image: by BN App - Download now!
12. Image: by Marju Randmer. Cinnamon Bark.