Cinnamon and Cognitive Function

A new study found that cinnamon might help prevent and reduce cognitive function impairment as its bioactive compounds can influence brain function and affect behavioral characteristics. The study results were published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience.

Cinnamon is a well-known aromatic spice used in most households for baking and cooking. It is the inner bark of trees named Cinnamomum. Apart from its unique flavor, it is shown that cinnamon and its bioactive compounds influence brain function and affect behavioral characteristics. Hence researchers conducted a systematic review to understand the relationship between cinnamon and its key components in memory and learning.

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Using a search strategy, nearly two thousand six hundred five studies were collected from various databases like PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science in September 2021 and were investigated for eligibility. Out of which, 40 studies that met the eligibility criteria were included in this systematic review. Among the included studies:

• 33 were In vivo studies
• 5 were In vitro studies
• 2 clinical studies were also accomplished

Most of the studies' (n = 40) main outcome was the significant improvement of cognitive function like memory and learning by cinnamon.

As per the In vivo studies, using cinnamon or its components, such as eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, and cinnamic acid, positively altered cognitive function. As per the In vitro studies, adding cinnamon or cinnamaldehyde to a cell medium reduced the tau aggregation, Amyloid β, and increased cell viability. Among the clinical studies, positive effects were seen in 1 study, and another reported no changes in cognitive function.

Thus, the majority of the studies reported that cinnamon can be used for preventing and reducing cognitive function impairment and as an adjuvant in the treatment of related diseases.

Further reading: Nakhaee S, Kooshki A, Hormozi A, Akbari A, Mehrpour O, Farrokhfall K. Cinnamon and cognitive function: a systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies [published online ahead of print, 2023 Jan 18]. Nutr Neurosci. 2023;1-15. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2023.2166436