Nutrition
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
Obsession-Worthy Foods
Cinnamon
Not only does cinnamon add a comforting spice to your dessert or coffee, but for centuries it has also been used as an herbal medicine due to its many health benefits.
There are several different types of cinnamon, but a combination of Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon) and Cinnamomum aromaticum (Cassia cinnamon or Chinese cinnamon) are the kinds most commonly sold in stores. Cassia cinnamon, in particular, has been used to treat muscle and stomach spasms, flatulence and nausea, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. While the exact benefits of the spice are inconclusive, adding cinnamon to your meals may also help ward off diabetes. According to a 2012 study by researchers at Ball State University, healthy weight and obese adults who ate a breakfast cereal with about two and a half teaspoons of cinnamon, had a 25 percent drop in blood sugar levels over the next two hours.
Incorporate cinnamon into your meals by adding it to your favorite hot beverage or sprinkling on top of oatmeal or toast.
