Uses Of Cinnamon Recipe

Is cinnamon healthy? It’s been claimed that it can support the regulation of blood sugar and ease digestive discomfort, so we asked registered nutritionist Jo Lewin to explore the science behind this popular spice

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A favourite household spice, cinnamon was once traded as currency. The spice has a pleasant flavour and warm smell, making it popular for cooking, especially in sweet bakes and curries.

Cinnamon Tea: The Benefits Of Cinnamon Tea

Derived from the inner bark of a small evergreen tree, the bark is peeled and laid in the sun to dry, where it curls into rolls known as cinnamon sticks. Cinnamon is also available in powdered form.

Discover our full range of health benefit guides and check out some of our delicious cinnamon recipes, from cinnamon buns to cinnamon tea.

Like other spices, cinnamon contains plant compounds called polyphenols that have protective, antioxidant properties. It is these compounds that provide many of cinnamon’s health benefits as well as support its role as a preservative in food preparation.

Ways To Use Cinnamon Sugar

These same antioxidant compounds contribute towards cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory effects. As we age this may be helpful because the process of chronic inflammation is heavily involved in the progression of many age-related diseases.

Cinnamon is thought to have many medicinal and soothing properties, and is used frequently in Chinese herbal medicine. The distinctive smell and flavour of cinnamon derives from the essential oils contained in the bark, called cinnamaldehyde.

Cinnamon has a reputation for helping manage blood sugar. It appears to do this by a number of different mechanisms, including managing the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream.

Ways To Use Cinnamon For Weight Loss, Side Effects, & Tips

Human trials are promising and suggest cinnamon may have a moderate effect on lowering fasting blood sugar levels in diabetics with poor blood sugar control.

Insulin is the hormone involved in transporting blood sugar from our blood to the cells where we need it, this means it plays an important role in regulating our metabolism and energy levels.

As we age we may become resistant to the effects of insulin and this has the potential to disrupt blood sugar balance and over time lead to type 2 diabetes. While more research is needed it does appear that extracts from cinnamon mimic the action of insulin and potentially reduce the risk of insulin resistance.

Ceylon Cinnamon: Health Benefits, Uses, And More

Conditions like Alzheimer’s are more common as we age, and are typically caused by a progressive deterioration of brain cells. In Alzheimer’s, accumulation of protein fragments in the brain act by slowing how a person thinks and remembers.

Cinnamon contains two compounds that appear to inhibit the build-up of these proteins. Much of this evidence is derived from animal and test tube studies, so there is still much for us to learn with regards to how this effect may be of benefit to us.

There is some evidence to suggest that consistent consumption of cinnamon is associated with a short-term reduction in blood pressure. Although the evidence looks hopeful, it is early days and more long-term random controlled trials are needed.

How To Make Cinnamon Tea

Blood pressure may not be the only cardiovascular risk factor aided by regular cinnamon consumption it also appears to have a positive impact on reducing blood triglycerides as well as cholesterol levels.

Some spices, including cinnamon, have prebiotic properties. Consuming them regularly may help restore the balance of bacteria in your gut, support digestive health and alleviate digestive issues.

Although evidence to date is limited to test tube and animal studies extracts from cinnamon may provide some protection against cancer. In this regard, the spice appears to be useful at reducing the growth of cancer cells, limiting the formation of blood vessels in tumours and killing off cancer cells.

The Best Ways To Use Cinnamon In Your Cooking

A traditional use for cinnamon has been as a tooth powder to treat toothache and other dental problems including bacterial overgrowth and bad breath.

For the majority of people, cinnamon is generally recognised as safe when consumed as a culinary spice and in small amounts – no more than 1 tsp per day is considered safe for most adults, with less for children. In rare circumstances, some people may experience allergic contact dermatitis.

Most of the cinnamon purchased from supermarkets is a variety called Cassia cinnamon – this has a stronger taste and is cheaper to buy. However, it is high in compounds called coumarins, which in large doses may cause toxicity. Ceylon, or ‘true’ cinnamon, has relatively low levels of coumarins and may be better tolerated.

Everything You Need To Know About Cinnamon

There are plenty of reasons to add warming cinnamon to your diet. It’s high in antioxidants, which may help protect against disease, inflammation and ageing. What’s more, it may improve gut health, dental hygiene, reduce cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure. However, it’s important to note that more studies are needed into some of the benefits.

If you’re on prescription medication, have a relevant medical condition or have other related concerns, speak to your GP for further guidance.

Jo Lewin is a registered nutritionist (RNutr) with the Association for Nutrition with a specialism in public health. Follow her on Twitter @nutri_jo

Cinnamon Recipes: 25 Ways To Use The Spice Beyond Cinnamon Rolls

Is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.Cinnamon rolls, snickerdoodle cookies, Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Those are the first things I thought of when I began researching this cinnamon-focused blog post. I thought to myself, “What a delicious assignment!” Little did I know, cinnamon is one of the most widely used and highly beneficial spices out there. It can be sprinkled, simmered, baked with or taken as a supplement. It’s full of nutrients and has long been known as a blood sugar regulator, not to mention countless other health benefits.

Similar to my recent post on ginger, I went on a cinnamon investigation. I came across tips, recipes and fun facts that I hope you’ll enjoy. Let me know if you’ve got a unique recipe or use for cinnamon; I’d love to hear from you!

Is less expensive, and is the most common use of the word “cinnamon.” Most of the research for diabetes and blood sugar management involves C. cassia. Cassia has a stronger flavor, but C. verum is generally considered to have a more delicate flavor suitable for desserts.

Uses Of Cinnamon Beyond Cooking

Being one of the most versatile spices out there, the ways to use cinnamon are endless. Most of the benefits come from consuming it, but it also is shown to deliver an energizing scent that increases alertness. Here are several ways that consuming cinnamon is beneficial:

Supports digestive health - Counteracts congestion - Promotes healthy circulation - Shown to support healthy blood sugar levels already within the normal range - Fights bad breath - Effective for supporting menstrual pain - Supports joint health

When it comes to using cinnamon in my everyday life, I must admit that I have only tried it in sweet recipes. For the sake of this post—and for the sake of trying something new—I decided to try one sweet recipe and one savory. Enjoy!

Health Benefits Of Cinnamon (plus Some Tasty Recipes!)

First off, I made pita bread according to the Pita Bread recipe we recently featured on the Swanson Recipes page. Then, I modified this recipe for Garlic & Herb Pita Chips. Here are the easy-to-follow steps:

1. Position oven racks in middle and lower third of oven; preheat to 350° F. Coat two large baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Cut pitas into 8 wedges each and separate each wedge at the fold. Place the pita wedges rough-side up, in an even layer on the prepared baking sheets. Brush with oil and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls {cinnabon Copycat}

3. Bake the pita wedges, switching the baking sheets halfway through, until golden and crispy, 6 to 10 minutes (depending on the thickness).

Note: I found it helpful to switch my oven to broil at the end of the 6 to 10 minutes, for extra crispiness.

Who doesn’t love a good slow cooker meal? I found a great recipe from this fun blog called Life With 4 Boys. The recipe recommends combining all of the ingredients and then freezing them in a zip-top bag until you’re ready to use, but I decided to make mine the next day, so I just refrigerated it over night.

How To Make Cinnamon Sugar—and 5 Ways To Use It

Step 3: Pour contents of the bag into your slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.

Just when I thought I had seen everything cinnamon-related that the Internet had to offer, I found a bunch of blog posts that said that cinnamon would lighten hair. Naturally, I had to give it a try. I didn’t follow any one recipe; I just came up with my own, and tried it on a small section of my hair.

The first time I tried it, I put conditioner on my wet hair first, then added the water/cinnamon paste. I left it on all night, covered in plastic wrap, and washed my hair in the morning. Nothing. I tried it a few more times, each with

What Is Cinnamon?