Cinnamon is one of the oldest cultivated spices in the world. Originating in Asia, cinnamon has been renowned for its health properties for centuries and is currently produced in large plantations around the world in such places like India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, and Egypt. Beyond spicing up dishes and adding flavor to French toast, the bark of the cinnamon tree is chock full of health promoting properties. Here are a few common cinnamon health benefits, either as cinnamon powder or cinnamon bark.

Lowers Cholesterol – Research has shown that a teaspoon of cinnamon each day can help lower levels of LDL cholesterol. This is great for people looking to ward off possible heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions associated with high levels of cholesterol. Cinnamon is also available in pill form to make it easier for people with high cholesterol to toss back. A spoon full of cinnamon can be a bit difficult to swallow.

Regulates Blood Sugar – Perhaps the biggest benefit of cinnamon is its ability to help regulate blood sugar. A number of studied have shown that cinnamon, consumed on a regular basis, can help people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon helps control the rate at which glucose is released into the bloodstream, helping people with diabetes and sugar sensitivity effectively manage their conditions by mitigating the sudden spike of sugar levels, an occurrence that can render a person in shock or possibly into a coma.

Yeast Infections – Some medication resistant strains of yeast that cause yeast infections may be treated by consuming cinnamon as a form of treatment.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Fighter – Recent studies by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have found that regular ingestion of cinnamon bark or cinnamon supplements may combat the growth and spread of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

Anti Coagulant – A further heart healthy health benefit of cinnamon is its ability to lower the risk of blood clots, helping protect people who are at risk for stroke or heart attack.

Preservative – While not so much a direct health benefit, cinnamon is a natural antibacterial agent and can help prevent food from spoiling. This makes cinnamon a better preservative compared to artificial substances.

Anti Inflammation – According to Danish researchers, combining half a teaspoon of cinnamon with a tablespoon of honey and ingesting it acts as a mild anti inflammatory agent, helping people with arthritis manage their pain better.

Nutritional Content – Cinnamon, especially cinnamon bark which can be chewed or dissolved into tea, is rich in manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium, all of which are essential daily vitamins and minerals. In addition, cinnamon is rich in antioxidants which fight off the oxidizing harm of pathogens and toxins called free radicals.

There are several ways to gain the cinnamon health benefits listed above.  These include adding a bit to your cooking, cinnamon pills and cinnamon tree oil extract are available for more direct usages. The choice is yours depending on your dietary restrictions and need for concentrated doses of cinnamon.