Benefits of Cinnamon

By: Susan Hickey

Cinnamon is a popular scent this time of year. It has a heartwarming, calming smell. Did you know that cinnamon, while helping us make our homes more festive, can also make our bodies healthier? Several research studies have been done in recent years that potentially demonstrate positive effects on our bodies. 

One commonly known benefit of cinnamon is its ability to lower blood sugar by improving the body’s sensitivity to insulin. As we age, our bodies can become resistant to insulin, which can explain the increased development of diabetes in the older population. Diabetes is a result of impaired sugar processing leading to elevated levels of blood sugar. Cinnamon imitates the role of insulin which can help our bodies move sugar into cells more effectively so it can be used for energy. Controlling blood sugar can help prevent side effects of diabetes, including heart disease. 

While the effect on blood sugar is likely the most recognized, cinnamon has a variety of lesser-known benefits. Cinnamon is a good source of polyphenols and antioxidants. These are compounds that help improve immune system function. Just one tablespoon of cinnamon contains 4 grams of fiber, which is higher than many fruits and vegetables, and plays an important role in digestive function. Cinnamon also has antibacterial properties which may help with bad breath as well as ward off tooth decay. And finally, early studies are showing that cinnamon can potentially reduce the size of cancer cells, which would be a promising development in the fight against this killer disease. 

Are you convinced? Try this simple maple cinnamon oatmeal recipe one morning before heading to the YMCA for your workout! It will help you get your busy day off to a healthy start. 

Slow Cooker Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal 

Ingredients: 

3 cups old fashioned oats 

2 cups milk 

4 cups water 

1/3 cup pure maple syrup 

2 T cinnamon 

½ tsp salt 

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low about 4 hours. 

Nutritional Information Per Serving (8 servings): 

193 calories 

34 g carbs 

5 g protein 

1 g saturated fat 

6 mg cholesterol 

181 mg sodium 

229 mg potassium 

4g fiber 

11g sugar 

1.5mg iron 

References:

https://dizzybusyandhungry.com/slow-cooker-maple-cinnamon-oatmeal/#wprm-recipe-container-13436

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cinnamon-and-diabetes#section3

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/11/09/surprising-cinnamon-benefits.aspx