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Cinnamon, a popular spice used in cooking and baking, is obtained from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum trees, which are native to the Himalayas and other mountain areas, as well as rainforests and forests in southern China, India, and Southeast Asia. In addition to its flavor, cinnamon also has a number of potential health benefits. Research suggests that cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, and it can also help to improve the functioning of the immune system.
Recently, a team of researchers at Birjand University of Medical Sciences in Iran conducted a systematic review of several studies that explored the effects of cinnamon on cognitive functions. The researchers reviewed over 2,600 studies stored in online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. They narrowed their analysis down to 40 studies that were most relevant to their topic of interest. Most of the studies they reviewed indicated that cinnamon and its active components could positively impact memory and learning. The results of the studies suggest that cinnamon and its components could be useful in preventing and reducing cognitive impairment and could be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of related diseases.
One of the clinical studies analyzed in the systematic review was conducted on adolescents and asked them to chew cinnamon gum. The study yielded positive results and showed that chewing cinnamon gum improved memory function and reduced anxiety. The other clinical study was conducted on pre-diabetic adults and asked participants to eat 2g of cinnamon on white bread. However, this study found no significant changes in cognitive function following the consumption of cinnamon.
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