Sentiments From Cinnamon

I remember waking up on Sunday mornings to prepare breakfast for my family. I always seemed excited to get up before everyone else because I knew when I cooked, my parents and my brother will rise to the smell of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and cinnamon-spiced apples.

In 2000 BC, cinnamon was one of the first spices to grow in Ancient Egypt and Chinese herbal medicine. Thousands of years ago, cinnamon was used to help remedy ailments due to its medicinal properties. The leaves, flowers, fruit, and roots of cinnamon were also used for cooking and medicinal purposes.

It's said cinnamon originates from areas of South America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia.

I love the warm smell of cinnamon throughout the kitchen, its versatility to prepare, and the cozy feeling it creates around the holidays.

Here are a few health benefit perks of cinnamon.

Scientifically known as Cinnamomum, is made from the inner bark of trees and cut from the stems of cinnamon. When cinnamon dries, it forms curls at the ends creating cinnamon sticks.

Cinnamon trees grow in moist well-drained soil areas. The spice trees can grow upward to 49 feet in height. The cinnamon leaves are smooth and oval-shaped. The younger leaves are red and deep green when mature.

Load up on your antioxidants with cinnamon!

I was shocked to discover cinnamon is PACKED with antioxidants! Vitamins and minerals are important for your immunity system and overall health.

The antioxidant activity in cinnamon is higher than in garlic and oregano.

Cinnamon is packed with polyphenols as well as vitamins B and K, lutein, zeaxanthin, choline, beta-carotene, and alpha-carotene. These essential vitamins and minerals found in cinnamon can help with neurodegenerative diseases by reducing protein buildup in the brain.

Cinnamaldehyde is a component of cinnamon that can help with infections. Cinnamaldehyde contains anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that combat tooth decay and bad breath.

Cinnamon is a godsend to the cardiovascular system.

Maintaining your blood pressure and glucose is very important. Luckily, cinnamon can help calm your blood pressure and glucose at ease.

Studies showed cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties that can lower the rest of heart disease, bad "LDL" cholesterol, and stabilize good cholesterol. Cinnamon can lower the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream. Compounds found in cinnamon can act like insulin, though it's much slower than prescribed insulin.

Studies showed anti-diabetic effects of cinnamon can lower blood sugar by 10% to 29%.

Cinnamon can lessen HIV activity.

A 2000 study of extracts of Indian medicinal plants found cinnamon could help protect against HIV.

A 2016 study discovered an extract from cinnamon showed it was most effective in reducing HIV activity.

There are numerous ways to enjoy cinnamon.

Alternatively scientifically known as Cinnamomum zeylancium and Cinnamomum aromaticum, are two types of cinnamon.

Ceylon cinnamon originates from Sri Lanka. Ceylon cinnamon is known as "true" cinnamon.

Cassia cinnamon originates from areas of China. This is the most common cinnamon found at supermarkets and grocery stores.

You can enjoy cinnamon in powder and capsule form. I use to consume cinnamon capsules form to maintain my blood sugar. I love to bake sweets and pastries with cinnamon. I love to accent my mustard fried chicken with notes of cinnamon and Stella Bistro Foods Rustic Italian Sultry Spice.

Using cinnamon, it's best to use small amounts. Too much cinnamon can lead to blood thinning. Be sure to converse with your doctor or physician prior to using you're prescribed medicines.

How do you like to use cinnamon?

Which way do you prefer to use cinnamon - as a spice or capsule?

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