Cinnamon helps learning ability

If I mention cinnamon to you the likelihood is that your thoughts will immediately turn towards its delightful combination with baked fruits, casseroles, mulled wine, or toast. Cinnamon is a deliciously diverse spice but its diversity probably extends further than you expect because it looks like it might be able to enhance your learning.

These changes resulted in improved memory and learning for the poorer learners.

One of the things that we know about learning is that a brain region called the hippocampus is intimately involved. Research has shown that the hippocampus of poor learners, when compared to good learners, has lower levels of the CREB protein (a protein that is involved in memory and learning) and more GABRA5 receptors (a receptor that inhibits conductance in the brain).

In the new study mice were fed ground cinnamon. A standard Barnes maze consisting of an elevated circular maze with 20 holes was used to test learning and memory. After two days of training the mice were tested for their ability to find a target hole. The mice were then tested again after a month of daily feeding on cinnamon.

In the mice that were poor learners the cinnamon resulted in raised levels of sodium benzoate in the mice’s bodies, a chemical used to treat brain damage. In the brain the sodium benzoate caused increases in CREB, decreases in GABRA5, and improved neuroplasticity in the hippocampus. These changes resulted in improved memory and learning for the poorer learners. However, the good learners did not improve on the cinnamon.

It seems the metabolites of cinnamon can specifically target the biochemical imbalance that may slow learning. So if you are struggling a little with learning then adding some cinnamon to your meals may the added spice that you need.