The short answer is yes, but there is so much more to it than we thought. The use of Cinnamon for health benefits has become popular lately and it is something we use in baking especially around the holidays. But before you go liberally sprinkling cinnamon on all of your goodies, there are a few things you should know.
Here are just a few of cinnamon’s health benefits:
1) It is loaded with Antioxidants – which is a secret weapon to fight against disease and infection.
2) It has Anti-inflammatory properties (source)
3) It can improve insulin sensitivity and has been known to help people with Type 2 Diabetes (source, source)
4) It may cut the risk of heart disease by reducing total Cholesterol numbers and lowering the LDLs, triglycerides, and blood pressure (source)
So what’s the problem, you ask? While we should add cinnamon into our daily diet, we can’t just use any old kind. We should be eating a variety called Ceylon.
Sadly this is not the kind that is sold at your neighborhood grocery store, which is called, Cassia. And Cassia contains Coumarin – a chemical found naturally in several plants. The problem is Coumarin in large doses acts as a blood thinner and has been linked to kidney and liver disease. And by large doses I mean 1-2 teaspoons a day can be toxic.
But don’t give up on Cinnamon yet, just use the kind Ceylon, known as the “true cinnamon”. Ceylon cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka and Southern parts of India and has a delicate, mildly sweet flavor suitable for desserts. While both types of Cinnamon do have Coumarin, Ceylon has far less (source).
When it comes to cinnamon more is not necessarily better, it should be used in moderation for culinary and medicinal purposes. And always work with your doctor when managing health conditions.
There are many ways to incorporate cinnamon into your daily routine, I love it on yogurt or oatmeal 0r if you want to bake something, why not try these delicious Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls!
