Monday, December 1, 2008

Cinnamon as a health food

Cinnamon is not only a spice, but with it’s unique healing abilities make its health benefits too good to pass up.



Do you use cinnamon?



Cinnamon has gotten a bad rap in the past because it always mixed in with sugar. But on its own it’s fantastic for your health.

Now the funny thing about cinnamon is it taste terrible on its own. But when you add it to foods that need something to spice them up, it makes them taste great.

Cinnamon contains:

Manganese:

It is a great source of manganese, manganese is an essential trace mineral needed for healthy skin, bone, and cartilage formation.

It helps to protect us against viruses and other infections by strengthening our cell walls, bones, collagen and connective tissue such as ligaments.

Manganese is good for athletes who need help with joint lubrication.

Fiber:

High fiber foods help control your weight!

Most people don’t come close to getting the 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day necessary for good health.

Eating a higher fiber diet has been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels; prevent constipation, and slow digestion.

But make sure you drink plenty of water with a high fiber diet.

Calcium:

Calcium is necessary for strong bones and teeth, not to mention it plays an important role in weight loss.

Most people on strict weight loss diets do not take in the enough calcium since they avoid cheese, and dairy products.

If you do not consume enough calcium your body will rob your bones of it and you will be at risk of getting osteoporosis. Adults require around 800 milligrams per day.

The health benefits of cinnamon:

It helps in the relief from congestion from colds, or allergies.

It aids in digestion.

It helps to relieve or eliminate muscle, and joint pain.

It thins the blood to increase its circulation.

It contains anti-inflammatory properties to reduce pain from arthritis.

It helps prevent tooth decay, and gum disease.

Just smelling the odor from cinnamon boost brain activity.

Cinnamon aids in controlling blood sugar helping people with type 2 diabetes. Just sprinkle it on a high carbohydrate food to lesson its impact on your blood sugar levels.

How to buy and store cinnamon:

Cinnamon is available in either stick or powder form. The sticks can be stored for a longer period, but the powder has a stronger flavor.

Try to smell the cinnamon to make sure it has a sweet smell to indicate that it is fresh.

Cinnamon should be kept in a tightly sealed glass container in a cool dark, and dry place. Ground cinnamon will keep for about 6 months, while sticks will stay fresh for about 1 year.

Make sure you buy organic cinnamon!

Remember if it doesn’t smell sweet it isn’t fresh, throw it away.


Foods to add cinnamon to:

Oatmeal - most people don’t like oatmeal plain. Just add I teaspoon of cinnamon to make it a tasty dish.

Yogurt – add half teaspoon of cinnamon to give it some extra flavor.

Bananas – sprinkle quarter teaspoon to take it up a notch.

Coffee – sprinkle half teaspoon to make your own blend.

Do you use cinnamon? If so what foods do you add it to?

Want to know more? See - The health benefits of drinking tea

2 comments:

ssnuffy said...

So very true, in fact there's very little created by God that doesn't harmonize with our bodies. With good clean water being at the forfront. Great post thank you.If I was Smarter, I'd link to your site as it has much needed healthy advice Gods Best Al

Kiefers Corner said...

Your welcome