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Writer's pictureDarienne Bovell Nutrition

Sunchai, what's in it ?

Updated: Jun 16, 2021




Our main ingredient is Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) also known as True Cinnamon, and has been researched and found to have the following properties: anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, anti-oxidant, anti-cholesterolemic, analgesic, blood glucose lowering and beneficial cardiovascular effects as well as boosting cognitive function, plus protective effects against natural toxins and chemical-induced toxicities and may reduce oxidative stress-induced complications, so it’s worth having in your diet. Ceylon Cinnamon is grown in Sri Lanka and southern parts of India.


The other cinnamon you may know is Cassia Cinnamon also known as Dutch/Chinese/Bakers Cinnamon, it has a stronger aroma but with a slightly bitter taste. This has also been found to have some beneficial health qualities. However we haven’t used this cinnamon as it contains high levels of coumarin. Which poses a health risk if consumed in large quantities, which most people don’t, however 1 tsp can contain more than the tolerable daily intake, so if you love your cinnamon, choose Ceylon!


Turmeric is another plant that has been studied extensively, and many health benefits have been found. The one most people are familiar with is the anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric has also been found to have the following: anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-aging properties, wound healing benefits, arthritis, neuroprotective and cardiovascular benefits. You can add black pepper to increase the potential bioavailability of turmeric, however we have chosen not to add this in our formulation as black pepper does not agree with everyone.



Cardamon has only been researched in more recent times for health benefits and potentially has anti-inflammatory properties. Cardamon has been used traditionally in Ayurvedic medicine for its warming, calmative, and circulatory stimulating effects.


Ginger is warming and helps digestion, has been study for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protective, respiratory protective, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-nausea effects.


All-spice and Cloves don’t have extensive studies to back their potential benefits of anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties yet, but I am sure as we start realising that prevention is better than cure and start understanding how many of these spices, long used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines, can benefit us, more studies will happen.


Drinking this delicious latte is not going to cure your ills, but it will in a small way contribute to your good health. By adding spices to a balanced, nutritious, whole food diet we can enhance the beneficial effects of all the goodness we consume.


References:


Abraham K, Wöhrlin F, Lindtner O, Heinemeyer G, Lampen A: Toxicology and risk assessment of coumarin: focus on human data. Mol Nutr Food Res 2010, 54:228–39.


Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung: High daily intakes of cinnamon: health risk cannot be ruled out, Book high daily intakes of cinnamon: health risk cannot be ruled out. Germany: Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung; 2006.


Dorri M, Hashemitabar S, Hosseinzadeh H. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) as an antidote or a protective agent against natural or chemical toxicities: a review. Drug Chem Toxicol. 2018 Jul;41(3):338-351. doi: 10.1080/01480545.2017.1417995. Epub 2018 Jan 10. PMID: 29319361.


Hadi A, Pourmasoumi M, Ghaedi E, Sahebkar A. The effect of Curcumin/Turmeric on blood pressure modulation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmacol Res. 2019 Dec;150:104505. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104505. Epub 2019


Hussain Z, Khan JA, Rashid H. Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Darchini): A Boon to Medical Science and a Possible Therapy for Stress-Induced Ailments. Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr. 2019;29(3):263-276. doi: 10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2019028867. PMID: 31679236.


Jayaprakasha GK, Rao LJ: Chemistry, biogenesis, and biological activities of cinnamomum zeylanicum. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2011, 51:547–562.


Jiang TA. Health Benefits of Culinary Herbs and Spices. J AOAC Int. 2019 Mar 1;102(2):395-411. doi: 10.5740/jaoacint.18-0418. Epub 2019 Jan 16. PMID: 30651162.


Kotha RR, Luthria DL. Curcumin: Biological, Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, and Analytical Aspects. Molecules. 2019 Aug 13;24(16):2930. doi: 10.3390/molecules24162930. PMID: 31412624; PMCID: PMC6720683.


Mao QQ, Xu XY, Cao SY, Gan RY, Corke H, Beta T, Li HB. Bioactive Compounds and Bioactivities of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Foods. 2019 May 30;8(6):185. doi: 10.3390/foods8060185. PMID: 31151279; PMCID: PMC6616534.


Rahman MM, Alam MN, Ulla A, Sumi FA, Subhan N, Khan T, Sikder B, Hossain H, Reza HM, Alam MA. Cardamom powder supplementation prevents obesity, improves glucose intolerance, inflammation and oxidative stress in liver of high carbohydrate high fat diet

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