Cinnamon
What Type of Cinnamon to Buy
Make sure to purchase true cinnamon, known as Ceylon cinnamon. Many stores sell cassia, also known as Chinese cinnamon, which is similar in flavor to cinnamon but does not have the same health benefits. In addition, cassia contains coumarin, a toxic component that can cause kidney and liver damage in large amounts. True cinnamon does not contain these toxic levels of coumarin.
Benefits of cinnamon
Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.
Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.
In some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.
In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.
When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory. Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices. It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium. Cinnamon Helps You Lose Weight
Cinnamon can help with weight loss for several reasons:
- Cinnamon Decreases Blood Sugar: When your blood sugar is constantly spiking from the foods that you are eating, you will be more likely to gain weight or have a hard time losing extra weight that is already present. Keeping your blood sugar levels in check is an essential element of weight loss.
- Cinnamon Manages Insulin Levels: Along with maintaining blood sugar levels, cinnamon also helps to keep insulin levels in check. The insulin levels go hand-in-hand with your blood sugar levels, and maintaining lower insulin levels is an important element of overall health and weight loss.
- Cinnamon Creates a Chemical Reaction: When cinnamon is consumed, the body actually reacts chemically to digest the cinnamon. This reaction actually speeds up the metabolism in order to offset the extra heat that is occurring as a result of the cinnamon. When the metabolism speeds up, you are burning more calories and you will lose weight more quickly.
How To Use Cinnamon for Weight Loss
With a little bit of creativity, there are many ways that cinnamon can be added to your regular meals. Sprinkle cinnamon on your cereal for breakfast in the morning, sprinkle some on a pear, apple, or other fruit for an afternoon snack, sprinkle it on yogurt, or add some to your coffee or tea.
It doesn’t matter how you consume the cinnamon as long as you eat it on a regular basis. Keep a container of cinnamon readily available so that you can add it to your meals every day.
Cinnamon Nutrition
Would you believe that a mere teaspoon of cinnamon contains 28 mg of calcium, almost one mg of iron, over a gram of fiber, and quite a lot of vitamins C, K, and manganese? It’s true. It also contains about half a gram of “usable” (non-fiber) carbohydrate.