Cinnamon: A Fat-Burning Super Spice

Cinnamon is a great spice that is a known fat-burner. This aromatic delight also prevents diabetes and is so potent that when taken in capsule form on a daily basis, it can help lower your blood sugar. However, cinnamon is so delicious it seems a waste to take it in a capsule when there are so other ways to enjoy its healing components.

The Benefits of Eating Cinnamon

The Cinnamon Plant

There are actually two types of cinnamon: true (or Sri Lankan) cinnamon and cassia cinnamon. Both come from the bark of an evergreen tree and both can help you to lose weight because they are in the same plant family. They do differ slightly in taste because cassia is slightly sweeter but hotter than true cinnamon. It is also easier to find cassia unless you visit specialty shops that sell spices from India.

As a potent antioxidant, eating cinnamon reduces your risk for developing cancer. In fact, some people have been able to give up smoking by placing a stick of cinnamon in their mouths instead of a cigarette.

Cinnamon contains 11 vitamins and minerals. One teaspoon is a significant source of manganese and calcium. It can decrease the amount of LDL and triglycerides in the blood stream, which leads to a reduction in the overall blood stream cholesterol levels. Cinnamon will also help lower your blood pressure and decrease your risk heart problems.

This tasty gift from nature also has constituents in it that help you increase muscle mass. Cinnamon’s ability to regulate blood sugar is not just good for diabetics, it is also good for those who want to lose weight and for athletes. It has a great deal of chromium in it that helps to prevent cravings and decrease feelings of hunger.

Never try to eat a teaspoon of cinnamon (or any spice for that matter) by itself. Spices are ground finely and can cause serious lung irritations and infections if inhaled. Eating a spoonful of cinnamon will cause you to cough and inhale these fine particles. In addition, you can end up choking to death from it.  So use the spice with moderation and do not overdo it when preparing food.

Adding More Cinnamon To Your Diet

In the morning, prepare your plain oatmeal and add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to it. Chop an apple or a banana and stir into the pieces into the yogurt. Or add cinnamon and a sprinkle of sugar on top of your waffles or toast instead of syrup.

For a snack, consider adding 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 2 tablespoons honey to 1 cup of yogurt. Or add a little cinnamon to some hot tea or coffee. 

Cinnamon can also make just about any non-dairy beverage taste better. Add it to coconut milk or almond milk to give it a bit more of a punch.

Cinnamon can also be used to season your treats, like popcorn, kale chips and dry toasts. It is also great mixed with cream cheese.

You can also incorporate more cinnamon into your diet by adding it quite liberally to spicy Indian or Chinese style dishes. It can add a bit of a sweet bite to curry and other sauces.

For more information about the Healthy & Active Program please visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call us in Toronto at (41) 440-2217 and ask for Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Michael Rahman or email us at adrienne@healthy-active.com.