As one of the oldest spices known to man, cinnamon was treasured in ancient Egypt not only for its effective healing properties but also as a beverage flavoring and an embalming agent. As a result of its popularity, it had a value greater than gold. According to ancient manuscripts, China used cinnamon in its botanical medicine as early as 2,700 B.C. By the Middle Ages, the spice became one of the first commodities traded regularly between the Near East and Europe. 

Cinnamon is used widely even today for its anti-clotting and anti-microbial properties, as well as for control of blood sugar. Its calcium and fiber protect against heart disease and improves colon health. According to a recent study by the Association for Chemoreception Sciences in Sarasota, Florida, it was found that chewing cinnamon-flavored gum or even smelling the spice enhanced study participants’ cognitive processing, and improved their scores on tasks related to “attentional processes, virtual recognition memory, working memory, and visual-motor speed while working on a computer-based program.”  

Other studies have shown that the daily consumption at mealtime of just one half-teaspoon helps make insulin more efficient in controlling the body’s blood sugar. For those with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, or type 2 diabetes, it is recommended you double your daily consumption to one teaspoon daily. Not only is cinnamon effective in the control of blood sugar, it treats nausea and diarrhea; and adding one half-teaspoon to tea or applesauce helps alleviate an upset stomach. It also tastes great.

Clearly, cinnamon should be a staple in the pantry of every man and woman, particularly as they grow older and become more susceptible to degenerative diseases.  

Tempting the taste buds

According to www.whfoods.org, there are endless ways to consume cinnamon, and all of them delicious. Here are just a few: cinnamon toast, which you can dress up with a drizzle of flaxseed oil and honey on whole wheat toast; cinnamon sticks simmered in soymilk and honey to warm the winter holidays; cinnamon sprinkled Mexican-style on black beans; cinnamon sprinkled Indian style in curry; sautéed cinnamon sticks Middle Eastern-style with eggplant and raisins on lamb.  

At the fourth annual Nutrition and Health Conference held in San Diego, California, director of botanical education at the Program in Integrative Medicine, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog offered up the following recipe for good taste and optimum health.

Cinnamon Smoothie 

A cinnamon-spiked smoothie is easy to blend together using the following ingredients:

1 cup frozen peaches
¼ cup plain yogurt
½ cup soy milk
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 

Drink up, enjoy, and imagine the healthy benefits kicking in with each sip.

Source: Presentation by Tieraona Low Dog, MD, at the 4^th Annual Nutrition and Health Conference in San Diego, California