Is cinnamon good for you?

What is cinnamon? It's the brown bark of the cinnamon tree and is used in it's dried tubular form - known as "quill" or as a ground powder.

This spice is most commonly used in baking. [When I think cinnamon, I think warm apple pie. Yum.]
But besides being a spice, some studies have confirmed its medicinal properties, namely as an antioxidant. Its health benefits have been attributed to the essential oil components found in its bark. Studies have also demonstrated its ability to lower blood glucose levels and hence act as a supplement in patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Its ability to reduce blood glucose levels has been well documented in animal studies but has yet to be confirmed in human clinical trials.

Cinnamon is also a great source of manganese, fiber, calcium and iron. Its use as an essential oil has also gained popularity over the years in aromatherapy. Other therapeutic properties of cinnamon include anti-fungal, -microbial, -clotting, -bacterial and astringent.

Further to its healing properties, sprinkling cinnamon atop your morning cereal, afternoon snack or herbal tea and coffee will satisfy your sweet tooth and prevent you from reaching for an unhealthier option, such as something sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup or refined white sugar.

I normally add 1/4 tsp of cinnamon to my oatmeal (steel-cut oats - as these are unrefined and hence the most nutritious type). I also sprinkle cinnamon over sliced apples as a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack. If I'm craving something sweet after dinner, sometimes I'll heat up sliced apples, either in the oven or for 1-2 minutes in the microwave - just until they're warm and tender - and I'll lightly top them with cinnamon. It's my healthy but incredibly tasty version of warm apple pie.

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