Cinnamon is a spice that you may only associate with baking and desserts, but there are plenty of cinnamon benefits that make it a great spice to use everyday and as a dietary supplement.
When using cinnamon as a supplement be sure to use organic cinnamon and not the conventional variety you typically find in the spice aisle at the grocery store. Just like with vegetables, conventional spices can contain the same herbicides and pesticides when they are conventionally manufactured.
There are several ways you can use more cinnamon each day, from using the powdered form in your cooking and baking, as an extract, to taking it in supplement form. If you go the supplement route be sure to consult with your doctor as to the dosage and to make sure it won’t interact with any medications you’re taking.
[hr]
1. Improves Metabolism
Cinnamon often makes it onto the list of foods that you should be eating if you are trying to lose weight. It has the ability to rev up the metabolism, which can help you lose weight more effectively, especially if you have a sluggish metabolism.
Consider adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to a smoothie for added nutrients and a way to take your metabolism into a higher gear.
Other ways to speed up a slow metabolism: adding lean muscle to your body, avoiding eating too much in one sitting, and stick to foods that help increase metabolism, like broccoli, apples, and foods high in calcium. Daily exercise is also a natural way to get your metabolism going.
The cinnamon factor: In order to receive the maximum amount of benefit towards your metabolism, you’ll need to commit to supplement with cinnamon daily, at least a tablespoon each day.
[hr]
2. Reduces Bad Cholesterol
Cinnamon has been shown to help lower the levels of LDL cholesterol in the body, often referred to as the bad cholesterol, mile leaving the good cholesterol levels untouched. This makes it a fantastic all natural remedy for high cholesterol levels.
The reason it is so important to keep your cholesterol levels and check is because high cholesterol over long periods of time can lead to more serious heart problems such as stroke and heart attack.
Cinnamon alone may only have a marginal effect on your cholesterol levels, which is why it’s important to consider all of the factors that go into the condition of high cholesterol. If you suffer from high cholesterol you may need medication as well as make several dietary changes.
The cinnamon factor: Cinnamon can be used as part of a natural approach to lowering your cholesterol levels, but always check with your doctor and work in harmony with their recommendations.
[hr]
3. Helps Blood Sugar Levels
Cinnamon has been shown to help keep blood sugar levels where they should be, and is often recommended to diabetics to help naturally regulate blood glucose levels. You can use cinnamon even if you are not diabetic as a way to keep your blood sugar within healthy guidelines.
Stabilizing your blood sugar levels typically results in natural weight loss and keeps you focused and alert throughout the day. Don’t rely on cinnamon alone, it should be used as part of a conscious effort to keep your blood glucose in check.
If you are at risk for developing diabetes it is in your best interest to find natural ways to regulate it, and cinnamon can play a part in that strategy.
The cinnamon factor: Doctors are aware of the ability of cinnamon to help with blood sugar levels, which is why they often recommended it to diabetic patients.
[hr]
4. Antibacterial Properties
Cinnamon acts as an antibacterial agent in the body, and with that because of that it is very helpful in treating a myriad of problems. This is why it is often recommended for an upset stomach, because it can help clear harmful bacteria from the digestive system.
It’s also why you’ll see cinnamon as a remedy for acne, since it helps to kill off bacteria on the skin and help the blemish heal. It’s even been noted for helping to kill off candida, which can be helpful if you have an overgrowth of candida in your system, a condition known as candidiasis.
In order to maintain a healthy body overall, you’d need to consumer cinnamon on a daily basis, a tablespoon a day for most adults.
The cinnamon factor: Regularly consuming cinnamon helps where the body of harmful bacterial organisms that could be affecting the way you feel.
[hr]
5. Cancer Fighter
Cinnamon has been shown to be an effective cancer fighting food, and there are many reasons for this, but the chief among them is cinnamon’s ability to suppress tumor formation.
Taking a cinnamon supplement may be the best way to make sure that you’re getting enough of it for cancer prevention. It makes it easy to take and removes the need to add it to your cooking or taking it directly in powder form.
The cinnamon factor: Of course you can’t prevent cancer just by taking cinnamon, but when you combine the power of cinnamon with proper eating, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle you give yourself the best chance of avoiding it.
[hr]
6. Heart Disease Prevention
Because of cinnamon’s ability to lower cholesterol levels and improve blood circulation throughout the body, it can be used to help prevent heart disease.
Many factors go into heart disease, so you should consider all of the different facets of heart health and not focus solely on cinnamon use as a way to prevent heart disease. It can assist in that area, but it can’t overcome unhealthy eating and a sedentary lifestyle.
Cinnamon should be used along with a lifestyle that helps prevent heart disease, including eating healthy foods and getting regular exercise. There is no magical cure for preventing heart disease, it takes a long-term approach and consistent effort to treat your heart right.
The cinnamon factor: Cinnamon makes a great addition to a heart-healthy lifestyle. Add it to your daily regimen to keep your heart in great shape.
[hr]
7. Anti-Inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory nature of cinnamon means that you can use it to help with a number of conditions caused by inflammation. Cinnamon is one of the few spices and herbs recommended as an anti-inflammatory agent. Others include turmeric, curry, and ginger.
Arthritis is one disease that can be helped by cinnamon and other anti-inflammatory foods. Since there are so many different diseases that are caused by or worsened by inflammation, it makes sense to use cinnamon and other foods to help lessen that inflammation and reduce the pain and occurrence of other symptoms.
It’s hard to think of a spice like cinnamon as being anything more than a flavoring agent, but it does contain important substances, like cinnamaldehyde, which is currently being studied for its beneficial effects on several parts of the body.
The cinnamon factor: Using cinnamon along with an anti-inflammatory diet can help ease the symptoms of conditions brought on or worsened by excessive inflammation in the body.
[hr]
8. Helps Balance Hormones
The cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon can help balance hormones in women, making it a great all-natural remedy to try before turning to medication. Always consult with your doctor and follow their advice, and get their approval before starting on any supplementation. Even though it’s a natural spice you never know how you will react to it, or if it will affect any other treatments you’re on.
Cinnamon acts to lower the amount of testosterone produced by women, while increasing the amount of progesterone.
Again, it is the cinnamaldehyde that is responsible for this benefit. This occurs naturally in cinnamon and gives it its distinctive color and aroma.
The cinnamon factor: Cinnamon can act as a hormone balancer when taken in the right amounts. To get these benefits of cinnamon you’ll need to take it as a supplement, as it requires larger doses than just sprinkling it on food.
[hr]
9. Helps Brain Function
Cinnamon can help your brain work better and keep you more alert, just by smelling it. The research on this is fascinating because even chewing cinnamon flavored gum can produce the desired results.
If you’re ever mentally taxed or need to focus on the task on hand, try chewing cinnamon gum or smell the aroma of ground cinnamon spice. You don’t have to ingest it, making this a quick mental pick-me-up that you can use as a natural way to be more mentally focused.
Rather than use energy drinks or other artificial ways to make yourself zeroed in, you can use the scent of cinnamon to give you that extra mental edge needed during a typical workday.
The cinnamon factor: The aroma of cinnamon has long been thought of as being a brain booster, and modern science is backing that up. Reason enough to start opt for cinnamon scented candles, or cinnamon essential oils for aromatherapy.
[hr]
10. Clears the Digestive Tract
Cinnamon can help clear out your digestive tract, which will help your body absorb the nutrients from the foods you eat more easily.
This also means you’ll have fewer stomach problems including indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation. A clean digestive tract can help in a surprising number of ways, even helping the way you think. Harmful bacteria in your gut can actually make you more likely to get depressed, and evidence is pointing to a stronger connection between gut health and mental health.
In a situation like this it often makes sense to make dietary changes before science catches up. This is an all-natural remedy with few side effects and plenty of benefits to be gained. When the risk is low and the potential benefits to be gained are high, it’s wise to be an early adopter.
The cinnamon factor: The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of cinnamon help clear out harmful bacteria from your digestive system, improving its ability to function.
[hr]
11. Increases Circulation
Cinnamon has a warming effect on the body, and can help improve blood flow throughout. There are plenty of diseases and conditions that are caused by poor circulation, so taking steps to improve that circulation can be very beneficial indeed.
The main benefit of increased blood flow is to the heart, and improved circulation should mean a decrease in your heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Improved blood flow in the body can help improve the sex drives of both men and women, as it helps blood flow to the reproductive organs. For men this means stronger erections and for women it means increased sensitivity of the clitoris and labia.
The cinnamon factor: Cinnamon by itself may not be enough to make a noticeable effect on your circulation, but when combined with other steps and all-natural methods you can start to see signs of marked improvement.
[hr]
12. Improves Your Mood
You can use cinnamon as a sort of aromatherapy to help improve your mood. That’s because for this benefit of cinnamon you simply need to smell it. The aroma of cinnamon acts to shift you to a better mood.
Many things can occur throughout the day to put us in an off mood, so it’s important to have a collection of steps you can take to try and shake you out of a funk and get you back to feeling good.
If you’re ever feeling stressed or overwhelmed you can use the smell of cinnamon to help break up those feelings and introduce a better thought process. It can become a part of your all-natural approach to feeling your best throughout the day.
The cinnamon factor: The mood altering potential of cinnamon makes it a great part of your daily routine. It’s an all-natural way to feel better without resorting to a pharmaceutical solution.
[hr]
13. Improves Colon Function
A properly functioning colon is paramount to your overall health, and cinnamon can help it work better. Eating a healthy diet and doing regular colon cleanses throughout the year can also contribute greatly to a healthy colon.
Cinnamon has the distinct ability to help prevent colon cancer as well, thanks to the calcium and fiber it has, which helps protect the cells of the colon and prevent cancer from forming there.
Because of the fiber that cinnamon contains it helps food pass through the digestive system, including the colon, more easily. Eating other foods high in fiber is a great way to keep your fiber levels where they need to be without resorting to processed foods with fiber added as a sales gimmick.
The cinnamon factor: Regularly using cinnamon can help keep your colon running smoothly, which can help maintain a healthy weight and prevent certain diseases and conditions.
[hr]
14. Alzheimer’s Prevention
One of the more surprising cinnamon benefits is its ability to help prevent Alzheimer’s as well as other cognitive disorders. You will want to take a cinnamon supplement, or use a cinnamon extract to get a strong enough dose to make a difference, and not rely on powdered cinnamon in cooking or baking.
It’s the substances found within cinnamon that account for its ability to help prevent the disease. Research is promising in regards to cinnamon’s effect on the brain, enough so that it would be smart to start taking it as a supplement if you feel you are at risk for Alzheimer’s.
It’s hard to make the connection between a spice like cinnamon and a reduced likelihood of getting Alzheimer’s, but it’s important to remember that cinnamon intake alone is not enough to prevent it. Taking a balanced approach is key, including keeping the mind sharp with activities meant to stimulate the brain, eating a healthy diet, and keeping fit with exercise.
The cinnamon factor: Preventing Alzheimers and other degenerative diseases requires a long-term view and daily consistency. Add cinnamon to your daily routine and you could be helping to stave off this debilitating disease.