Cinnamon - The Many Health Benefits

I’m a big believer in good health through food.  I believe that we can prevent and cure a great number of ailments through food.  I recently stumbled across the AMAZING Benefits of Cinnamon.

Every once in awhile I make a trip to Starbucks and get my usual.  The other day, I decided to try a Cinnamon Dolce Latte (with low fat milk and now whip).  This became my new drink of choice.  I noticed that after drinking it, I felt a little more alert.  I also noticed I wasn’t as achy as I had been.  Another positive effect was that my digestive system seemed to be more normal.

So I then went to the Internet to research Cinnamon, and here is what I found.

  • Regulates Insulin - good for Type 2 Diabetes - significantly lowers LDL levels
  • Improves cognitive functions such as alertness and improved memory
  • Has anti-inflammatory properties - may reduce or eliminate heart disease and stroke
  • Excellent source of manganese, dietary fiber, iron, and calcium
  • Has anti fungal, antibacterial and anti parasitic properties
  • Reduces arthritis and joint pain

I was happy to discover something as simple as Cinnamon has all these wonderful health benefits that everyone can certainly use.  So easy to fit into my diet too, I just add a little to my coffee, on cereal, on toast, so many things you can add it too.

How much Cinnamon do you need?  About 1/3 a teaspoon a day is good.

IMPORTANT: Make sure it’s FRESH.  If you smell it and the Sweet Cinnamon smell isn’t strong, then you need to get FRESH Cinnamon.  Crushed Cinnamon only lasts about 6 months.

WARNING: Since Cinnamon has anti clotting properties, if you are taking medications that also do this same function, you may need to consult with your doctor if you take Cinnamon daily.  Most likely they will reduce, possibly eliminate, your medication.  It’s possible Cinnamon may interact with other types of medications (most likely Heart and Diabetes meds) as well.  If you are going to take it on a daily basis you should do some research and talk to your doctor.

Cinnamon Types - In doing my research, I also discovered that “true” Cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka.  Most of the Cinnamon we get is actually Cassia.  Cassia Cinnamon may also be called Chinese, Vietnamese,  or Indonesian Cinnamon.  Not to worry though as that almost all the studies done used Cassia Cinnamon.