I decided to look into these benefits that I kept hearing about since I never really listened to what was being said, and there are plenty of them! The two most popular reasons for using cinnamon are to lower bad cholesterol levels and to keep blood sugar in check. For individuals seeking to be heart healthy, lowering your cholesterol is a big deal. Components in cinnamon lower your bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels within the body, which equates to a healthier cardiovascular system as well as overall wellness. If you're diabetic or hypoglycemic, cinnamon helps regulate glucose amounts which helps control any dramatic changes in insulin levels.
Anyone suffering from arthritis? You guessed it, cinnamon can help with that too! Scientists have proven that those nasty cytokines, which trigger the pain where you have arthritis, can be lowered with cinnamon. Unfortunately, cinnamon can't rid you of arthritis but it definitely can make that unbearable pain become a small ache.
Dr. Oz (that charming doctor you see on TV everyday) even pointed out some less known abilities of cinnamon. Along with detoxifying the system and stimulating brain function, cinnamon can help rid you of a bladder infection. Instead of waiting to see your Dr and then having to take antibiotics, Dr. Oz recommends making yourself a strong cup of cinnamon tea within the first 48 hours of symptoms and you can but that bladder at ease.
One thing that I've noticed with any natural remedies or additions to your diet, you'll notices certain aches go away or maybe even stumble upon your own natural fixes. I have come to learn that when I get some aching gums or sensitive teeth, I like to brush with a little bit of cinnamon extract or swish around a small bit of water with cinnamon mixed in.
Hopefully I've gotten you excited to try adding some cinnamon to your diet to help increase your overall health, but I have the feeling that some of you may be a little confused on how to get this additional cinnamon into your diet. At first I felt the same, but then I let my creativity fly and found some delicious ways to get my cinnamon fix, and no it's not just in oatmeal so don't you worry!
My favorite ways to eat cinnamon:
1) oatmeal, add in some apples, raisins or nuts for crunch
2) a sprinkle in coffee
3) in some non-fat yogurt with honey
4) a sprinkle over cereal
5)honey mixed with cinnamon for a great dip for apples
6) in an apple/cinnamon protein smoothie
7) baked apples with cinnamon and a dash of Stevia
So as you can see, you don't always need drugs to fix problems! Mother Nature has provided us with an all natural and inexpensive pharmacy for us to use that tastes great too!! Just a delicious teaspoon a day and you can see your blood results come back better each time. However, remember to check with your doctor before making changes to your diet and don't over do it!! A teaspoon is enough, I don't want to see any of you end up like these kids trying to eat a tablespoon of dry cinnamon. Don't do it!!!!!!! (but go ahead and enjoy a laugh here at this link: http://youtu.be/mNQEcTGkAgM)
Until next time...
Have a happy healthy day!
Klaudia Fronczek
