Does cinnamon have health benefits?
Asked by lottafuss on Jan 30, 2011
in Nutrition
I use cinnamon and Splenda to flavor a lot of my favorite foods. With a baked sweet potato, the moisture is already there, and so I just add the Splenda and cinnamon and it's awesome. I also put it on shredded wheat, in vanilla yogurt with a little fresh pumpkin and in oatmeal. I just want to be sure I am not choosing something unhealthy.
Answer
Cinnamon actually has many health benefits. It has anti-inflammatory activity that protects the artery walls and anti-bacterial activity that stops the growth of microbes and fungi. It may protect against vaginal yeast infections and stomach ulcers. It may help to control blood sugar by enhancing insulin activity and slowing stomach emptying. There are two forms of cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, a potent blood thinner, and so don’t overdo that. The World Health Organization recommends a daily dose limit of 2 to 4 grams (1-2 teaspoons): however, that recommendation is not backed by research. An intake of 1/4 teaspoon daily of cassia cinnamon seems to be risk-free for most adults. Read about the Health Benefits of Cinnamon at About.com.
