With the Holiday Season right around the corner, it’s time to start considering that all-important delicacy that most adults look forward to tempestuously (at least I do) during this time of year. I’m not talking about presents. I’m not talking about vacation. I’m not even talking about those ever-elusive and far-too-rare familial gatherings. No, sirs and madams, I’m talking about that month-and-a-half-long, no-holds-barred, home-cooked holiday food buffet!
Every family has recipes and traditions that manifest over the years and are continued with each passing season. And, speaking of seasons, the “seasoning” of such traditions has become all-important due to the signature nature of specific dishes. Therefore, taking notes of which spices and seasonings create the best dynamic flavors while taking into consideration the health benefits/consequences of these tasty additives can be paramount when cooking for your family, I’ll be concentrating on going over the specific health benefits of some of my favorite spices starting today with…wait for it…Cinnamon…the spice of kings.
Cinnamon is an incredible little spice! It’s tasty, powerful or faint (depending on the application) and hosts a whole slew of incredible health benefits. Of the two types of cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon is the one considered to be the healthiest, by far. It’s the one considered to be “true cinnamon.” The compound in cinnamon that is universally considered to be responsible for the benefits on health and metabolism is called cinnamaldehyde.
It can lower your blood pressure
Antioxidants run rampant in cinnamon. Antioxidants, such as the polyphenols found in cinnamon, protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. In fact, it is so rich
in antioxidants that it even eclipses known superfoods such as garlic and oregano. Additionally, cinnamon may help reduce the risk of heart disease due to the fact that it actively reduces blood pressure while lowering the levels of LDLs (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides. It has even been shown to increase HDLs (good cholesterol) in studies where subjects were given just 120 milligrams per day.
It works as an anti-inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory properties in cinnamon are also a health staple. The antioxidants specific to cinnamon may have anti-inflammatory properties in them which help the fight against inflammation which, over the long term, can ultimately be dangerous due to the body turning on itself and attacking its own tissues. Cinnamon may help fight against these chronic forms of inflammation.
It can lower your blood sugar
In addition, cinnamon is known to have extremely beneficial effects on blood sugar levels. It lowers blood sugar levels by decreasing the amount of glucose that enters into the bloodstream after eating and by mimicking insulin. Furthermore, cinnamon has been shown to effectively increase the body’s sensitivity to its own hormonal insulin by reducing an individual’s “insulin resistance” which is a common trait for people with such conditions as Type 2 Diabetes.
It can prevent neurodegenerative diseases
Studies have recently shown that cinnamon may have an important role in fighting/preventing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. Studies show that compounds found in cinnamon seem to help inhibit the build-up of the protein tau which is one of the tell-tell signs of Alzheimer’s Disease while, at the same time, help to improve motor functions and skills and neurotransmitter levels in mice.
Cinnamon fights cancer
There has been recent evidence to suggest that cinnamon may help in the fight against cancer. Certain test tube and animal studies have shown that certain cinnamon extracts can be toxic to cancer cells, resulting in overall cell death, and can be beneficial in the prevention of blood vessel formation in tumors thus slowing tumor growth. Furthermore, cinnamaldahyde, which is the active ingredient in cinnamon, has been shown to help fight other various bacterial and fungal infections ranging from respiratory tract infections and salmonella to tooth decay and bad breath!
It also fights HIV
Lastly, cinnamon from the Cassia strain has been found to fight against HIV-1 which is the most common form of the HIV virus found in humans. Human trials are needed to confirm these test-tube findings, but cinnamon was found to be the most effective treatment for HIV-1 out of almost 70 different medicinal plants.
The take-home message is that cinnamon is a delicious supplement to any meal with extraordinary health benefits on many different fronts. It is important to remember that the Ceylon strain is the more beneficial of the two strains and, as a result, may be a bit harder to find as it’s more expensive than the Cassia strain. Additionally, be sure to use cinnamon that is “Non-Irradiated” (it says so right on the container) for the sake of maintaining the integrity of all the medicinal benefits that cinnamon has to offer. Now, go enjoy your holiday meals with the “spice of the kings” and stay healthy!
The post 5 Reasons To Use Cinnamon In Your Holiday Recipes appeared first on CedarCide.
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