Dr Amir Khan says adding 1 spice to your diet promises health benefits

A GP has recommended adding a common spice to our diets due to its numerous health benefits.

Dr Amir Khan, who is known for his appearances on ITV shows such as Lorraine, took to TikTok to explain why cinnamon is one of his favourites. "The distinct smell and flavour of cinnamon come from the oily part, which is very high in a compound called cinnamaldehyde', that scientists now believe is responsible for most of cinnamon's powerful, beneficial health effects," he explained in a video.

The doctor further stated that cinnamon contains a large amount of plant antioxidants called polyphenols, which protect our bodies from harmful free radicals that can damage DNA. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can harm the DNA within cells if they accumulate and result from various factors including air pollution, smoking, X-ray exposure and an inadequate diet.

"Cinnamon can also reduce inflammation," the GP continued. "And it has also been known to reduce the risk of heart disease."

He elaborated: "A review of 13 studies found that cinnamon may reduce harmful fats, triglycerides - and bring down total cholesterol levels." But the list of benefits doesn't stop there, as Dr Khan advised the spice has also been linked to lowering blood pressure.

"Cinnamon is well known for its blood sugar lowering properties," Dr Khan continued. "It has been shown to decrease the amount of sugar that enters our blood stream after a meal. It is thought to do this by slowing down the breakdown of sugars in our gut and mimicking the effects of insulin so more sugar is taken up into our cells and out of our blood."

The medic concluded by offering suggestions on how people can incorporate more cinnamon into their daily meals - noting in particular through porridge or by stirring a teaspoonful of the spice into home-prepared dishes.

"I love cinnamon!" one TikTok user declared in response. "I take cinnamon tablets every day along with all my other vitamins for migraines." While a second person admitted: "I use cinnamon in everything. Cakes, porridge, waffles, pancakes. Along with ground flaxseeds."

Medical website WebMD recommends: "If you would like to use the most-studied type of cinnamon in your cooking, look for Ceylon cinnamon, also called 'true cinnamon', which is richer in potentially beneficial plant chemicals.

"Because cinnamon is unproven as a treatment, there isn't a set dose. Some experts suggest 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (2-4 grams) of powder a day. Some studies have used about 1-6 grams of cinnamon. High doses might be toxic."

However, it cautions: "Ceylon cinnamon, the kind usually connected with health benefits in scientific studies, should not be taken in large amounts during pregnancy."