Hello Ladies!
Let’s talk some spice. Yes, spice – those aromatic substances that bestow loads of zest and flavour to tantalizing recipes!  Ancient cinnamon it is this week!!!
With its origin traced back to Sri Lanka but also largely present in other parts of Southeast Asia, South America and the Caribbean, cinnamon is gotten from the inner bark of a group of wild trees called Cinnamomum. Known for its warm soothing fragrance, cinnamon isn’t just a spice but a highly esteemed medicinal substance as well.  History has it that in ancient times, cinnamon was rare and more valuable than gold. Little wonder it was regarded fit for kings only.

Today, though easily found on shelves in almost every grocery store you step into, ground cinnamon is readily available and mainly used as food flavouring but not so highly regarded. Reason? Many don’t know the enormous health benefits contained in cinnamon.
Loaded with large amounts of highly potent antioxidants which protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and gives it a huge anti-cancer value, cinnamon is rated number one protective spice. Shown to inhibit the growth of tumours, cinnamon also has the ability to combat fungal, bacterial, and viral elements in foods. A proven preservative; not only to the body but to food substances too!
Regularly ingesting cinnamon helps to lessen the effects of fatty meals by slowing the increase in blood sugar post-meal. It’ll also increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels, thus removing LDL (bad) cholesterol from your body. Importantly, cinnamon can reduce blood pressure effectively while also reducing insulin resistance to significantly lower blood sugar levels.  Are you on a weight management regimen? Cinnamon shouldn’t be absent on your spice rack.
Notably high in calcium, iron and fiber, just a teaspoon of cinnamon provides about a whopping 68% of the daily recommended manganese value. How important is manganese? This super trace mineral aids the formation of strong bones and connective tissues in your body. It’s also essentially needed for the optimal functioning of your brain and nervous system. Adequate blood coagulation, blood sugar regulation, fat metabolism (burning off fat) and calcium absorption are some other effects of manganese.
Still on manganese, having the appropriate levels of this mineral in your system has been proved to help prevent diabetes, arthritis, epilepsy, and even the dreaded popular pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS).
All of these definitely aren’t all there is to this extraordinary culinary spice. Worthy of note is cinnamon’s effectiveness in balancing feminine hormones and reducing infertility. Diarrhea, muscle spasms, vomiting, common cold and infections and even erectile dysfunction are other ailments that sure get kicked out with your intake of cinnamon.
I really could go on and on with all that cinnamon’s got to offer. But with all you just read about cinnamon, wouldn’t you rather make it a constant part of your staple? You really should!