据报道，近一半的美国成年人患有高血压。这可是惊人的1.16亿人!最糟糕的是，超过9200万人的病情没有得到控制。随着时间的推移，高血压会导致中风和心血管疾病，使你的寿命缩短。有人说肉桂和其他香料可能有助于降低血压，但你能相信这些说法吗?
A 2015 systematic review published in Pharmacognosy Research suggests that cinnamon boasts antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It also has cardioprotective effects and may improve blood lipids. Moreover, it can prevent diabetes complications by keeping your blood sugar levels low. In one study, it was just as effective as the lipid-lowering medication Simvastatin. However, most evidence comes from animal studies, so further research is needed to confirm the benefits of cinnamon on human health.
2015年发表在《生药学研究》上的一篇系统综述表明，肉桂具有抗菌、抗炎和抗氧化特性。它还具有心脏保护作用，可以改善血脂。此外，它可以通过降低血糖水平来预防糖尿病并发症。在一项研究中，它与降脂药物辛伐他汀一样有效。然而，大多数证据来自动物研究，因此需要进一步的研究来证实肉桂对人类健康的益处。
According to the above review, this versatile spice has been around since 2,800 B.C. Thousands of years ago, it was used as a natural remedy for digestive and respiratory problems. Its effects on blood pressure shouldn't be overlooked either.
根据上面的综述，这种多用途香料自公元前2800年就存在了。数千年前，它被用作治疗消化和呼吸问题的天然药物。它对血压的影响也不容忽视。
Cinnamon does more than add flavor to oatmeal and apple pie. It also has beneficial effects on blood pressure and heart health. A 2020 systematic review of nine studies conducted on 641 people found that cinnamon may help reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, via Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. The most significant effects were observed in those using at least 2 grams of the spice per day for 12 weeks or longer. Another study conducted on 200 men with obesity and diabetes suggests that cinnamon may help reduce body weight, body mass index, blood pressure, and waist circumference (per the Journal of Hypertension).
肉桂不仅能增加燕麦和苹果派的风味。它对血压和心脏健康也有好处。2020年，通过《食品科学与营养评论》(Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition)对对641人进行的9项研究进行系统回顾，发现肉桂可能有助于降低收缩压和舒张压。最显著的效果是那些每天使用至少2克香料，持续12周或更长时间的人。另一项针对200名肥胖和糖尿病患者的研究表明，肉桂有助于减轻体重、体重指数、血压和腰围(见《高血压杂志》)。
The health benefits of cinnamon may be due to its nutritional profile. According to a 2014 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, this flavorful spice is rich in essential oils, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and other significant derivatives. These compounds are responsible for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic effects. Cinnamaldehyde, for example, dilates the blood vessels and hence may help reduce high blood pressure. On top of that, it slows the progression of diabetes-related hypertension, says the above review.
肉桂的健康益处可能是由于其营养成分。根据2014年发表在《循证补充和替代医学》上的一项研究，这种香料富含精油、肉桂醛、肉桂酸和其他重要衍生物。这些化合物具有抗氧化、抗炎、抗癌和抗糖尿病作用。例如，肉桂醛可以扩张血管，从而有助于降低高血压。上述综述称，除此之外，它还能减缓糖尿病相关高血压的进展。
As the researchers note, this natural ingredient is likely safe and has no side effects. It's not a miracle cure, but it may improve your health and well-being. Just bear in mind that cinnamon alone cannot counteract the harmful impact of stress, poor eating habits, or lack of exercise on blood pressure.
研究人员指出，这种天然成分可能是安全的，而且没有副作用。这并不是灵丹妙药，但它可能会改善你的健康和幸福。请记住，仅靠肉桂无法抵消压力、不良饮食习惯或缺乏锻炼对血压的有害影响。
