Cinnamon Health Benefits Make Cinnamon a Medicinal Spice

The health benefits of cinnamon may come as a surprise, especially if you only associate cinnamon with high calorie-low nutrition cinnamon rolls and related pastries. On the contrary, cinnamon, when not associated with traditional, gooey comfort foods, is a wonderful and yes, tasty, wellness supplement that has been used quite successfully as a medicinal spice.

Cinnamon is one of the most popular spices. It is derived from the bark of a small evergreen tree that grows in the Middle East and regions of South Asia. Cinnamon is sold either as ground cinnamon, cinnamon sticks or quills. It has a pungent aroma and a spicy taste with a hit of sweetness. Ground cinnamon is most commonly used as an additive to desserts.

Healthful Properties of Cinnamon

Cinnamon health benefits are as close as your cinnamon bottle! Cinnamon has been used successfully to alleviate several uncomfortable wellness problems. According to Organic Facts, cinnamon health benefits include purifying the blood, helping poor circulation, helping facilitate the healing process, is recommended for arthritis and decreases the risk of colon cancer to name a few of its many health benefits. These health claims come as no surprise since cinnamon is extremely high in antioxidants, fiber and the minerals manganese, iron and calcium.

Cinnamon Can Reduce Blood Sugar Levels

The high antioxidant composition of cinnamon makes this spice effective in alleviating a number of physical aliments. Perhaps the most high studied of cinnamon's health benefits is its ability to reduce blood sugar.

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, cinnamon significantly lessened the rise in blood sugar levels after meals.

Cinnamon is effective with Type 2 diabetic patients and helps them respond better to insulin and normalize their blood sugar levels. According to research conducted by the Agricultural Research Service diabetic subjects who consumed less that half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day had significantly reduced blood sugar levels.

More “sweet” cinnamon health benefits for those with type 2 diabetes. According to a study published in December 2004 Diabetes Care, subjects who consumed as little as one gram of cinnamon daily found that their blood sugar, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels were all reduced.

Cinnamon May Help With IBS and Protect Against Heart Disease

The addition of cinnamon to the diet may also help protect against heart disease since cinnamon helps to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. According to The World's Healthiest Foods, the calcium and fiber in cinnamon work together to remove bile salts from the body. The high fiber content of cinnamon may help those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome who suffer from constipation.

Honey and Cinnamon for Weight Loss

Honey and cinnamon for weight loss may not only be a sweet idea, but may be a delicious reality. Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and a teaspoon of raw honey to a cup of hot water. Drink this about an half hour before breakfast and before going to bed. This makes a delicious tasting “Christmas-flavored” tea!

You can experiment with different types of cinnamon to see what works for you. This remedy may work by stopping the body from accumulating fat and helping to burn the fat that you have already accumulated. Both raw honey and cinnamon have many helpful antioxidants that will do nothing but benefit your body.

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Cinnamon Benefits Memory and Thinking

According to research led by Dr. P. Zoladz, scientists have found that the flavor or taste of cinnamon significantly improved brain activity. This may pave the way for cinnamon to be used for people experiencing test anxiety and those diseases that impair cognitive abilities.

Cinnamon and Honey

The properties of honey and cinnamon are enhanced by each other. They are complementary and work in various ways not only as a delicious combination, but also for important wellness benefits. For more information on the wonderful wellness benefits of cinnamon and honey see Honey Health Benefits.  With cinnamon and honey you can literally sprinkle and sweeten your way to better wellness.

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