CINNAMON – TAKE THE CHILL OUT
As the weather starts to chill, warm up your body with a dash of cinnamon. Cinnamon is a very popular spice during the holidays and can be used in hot drinks, sprinkled on toasted bread, and mixed within baked goods. As good as this spice tastes, there are some medicinal benefits as well that make it that much better!
Cinnamon is made from the inner bark of trees called Cinnamomum. It is made by cutting the stems of the tree, where the inner bark is extracted and woody parts are removed. Once it has dried, strips are formed that curl into rolls, which you may know as cinnamon sticks. The sticks can be ground to form a powder.
Way back in the day, possibly as early as the Ancient Egyptians, it has been used in cooking, as a healing power, and regarded as a gift due to it being rare and valuable. Today it is a fairly cheap spice and can be found in any supermarket or grocery store.
TWO MAIN TYPES:
- Ceylon cinnamon – known as “true” cinnamon
- Cassia cinnamon – your household cinnamon, commonly produced and found
It is best to use the “true” cinnamon due to the cassia form having a compound called coumarin which can be harmful in very large doses. Cassia is typically what is found in stores. No matter the type, the distinct smell cannot be missed. This smell and flavor come from a compound known as cinnamaldehyde. Cinnamaldehyde is responsible for some of cinnamon’s most powerful effects on health and metabolism.
SOME OF THE BENEFITS:
- It’s is loaded with antioxidants – cinnamon is loaded with polyphenols that protect the body from oxidative damage that is caused by free radicals
- It has anti-inflammatory properties – the antioxidants found within it help the body fight infections and repair tissue damage
- May cut the risk of heart disease – this spice has been shown to reduce the levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
- It lowers Blood Sugar levels and has an anti-diabetic effect – studies have shown cinnamon is able to decrease the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream after a meal. There is also a compound in it that mimics insulin, improving the glucose uptake by cells. This helps lower blood sugar and can be very beneficial for diabetics.
- Also helps fight bacterial and fungal infections – cinnamon oil has been shown to be effective in the treatment of respiratory infections caused by fungi. It can also inhibit the growth of certain bacteria.
Embrace the cold by enjoying a nice slice of warm bread with some sprinkled on top and a cup of hot coffee sprinkled with it too – the benefits will soon follow!
Dishin’ Out Healthy: Nichelle
