Cinnamon is that sweet, hot spice used to create red hot candies. It’s also found in a variety of Middle Eastern and Indian dishes. If you are a big fan of this flavor, you may be benefiting from its antioxidant and antidiabetic effects.

What is the Secret of Cinnamon?

This spice is made from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree. There are two types of cinnamon, but the one you are most likely familiar with is cassia cinnamon.

Many people love the flavor of this spice, but there are other reasons to enjoy it. Research indicates that it helps improve insulin sensitivity, acts as an anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol, and even fights cancer. There are many other benefits to adding this spice to your diet, but we’re focusing on how best to eat it.

How to Take Cinnamon

First of all, you can sprinkle the cinnamon powder into your food to get about a gram per day, or half a teaspoon, without much effort. Previously mentioned research showed benefits for people who ate one gram daily. Think about adding it to oatmeal, cinnamon toast, mixing it in coffee, or even trying a new dish, like Curried Chicken. Some people like to buy the sticks and use them whole or in pieces to flavor sauces and soups. Consider using a cinnamon stick to swirl your coffee too!

A Brief Warning About Supplements

You may also want to pick up a cinnamon supplement that’s easy to take daily. Just make sure that your supplement is made with Ceylon cinnamon if you plan on taking large doses. All cinnamon contains a chemical called, coumarin, which is toxic in large amounts. However, Ceylon cinnamon contains much less coumarin than Cassia does. Coumarin can potentially cause kidney, liver, and lung damage.