Cinnamon has long been a popular spice in baking and cooking. Research has found that it is not only delicious but it's healthy, too.  The 2 most popular types of cinnamon are  "cassia" and "ceylon." 

The better choice is ceylon cinnamon, also called "true cinnamon," comes from crumbly inner bark of the Cinnamomum zeylanicum tree. It's light brown, and has a sweet and delicate flavor.

Cassia comes from the Cinnamomum cassia plant, and is also called "Chinese cinnamon." This type is a darker, redder brown, and has a harsher, more overpowering flavor with less sweetness.

Ceylon cinnamon even has two advantages over cassia cinnamon. First, it has much less coumarin, which is an anti-coagulant (and can be irritating to the liver) and second, it tastes so much better.

You can read more about the differences on one of my favorite health information sites WHFoods.com here: The difference between cassia and Ceylon cinnamon.

Ceylon cinnamon is the preferred choice but either way, cinnamon is good for you, and a great ingredient to use in your daily diet.

Chinese medicine and Ayurveda have long honored cinnamon as a superfood used to treat things such as colds, indigestion and cramps and also believed to improve energy, vitality and circulation. The following are health benefits associated with this beloved spice that studies have suggested:

1.  Lower Cholesterol
   Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.
2.  Blood Sugar Regulation       Cinnamon may help treat Type 2 Diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing the amount of insulin production in the body.
3.  Helpful for Weight loss      Cinnamon supports healthy blood sugar levels while supporting normal bile flow (both are great for weight loss). A couple of dashes in your tea daily is all it takes.
4.  Candida Help                          Cinnamon has anti fungal properties, and it's been said that candida cannot live in a cinnamon environment.
5. Cancer Prevention                           In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
6. Anti-Clotting                                       It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
7. Arthritis Relief
   In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.
8. Anti-Bacterial
   When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
9. Brain Health
   One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.  It also helps prevent Alzheimer's Disease. According to a 2009 study, extracts of Ceylon cinnamon inhibited the formation of the proteins and filaments that are the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.
10. Natural Preservative                 When added to food, cinnamon inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.
11. High in Nutrients                               It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.

I am not advocating you go crazy with the cinnamon as it can be toxic in very large doses.  I do recommend adding it to your tea or coffee, sprinkled on your savory dishes and in smoothies like the one below.  It is a delicious natural remedy we can all enjoy!  

Apples are a low glycemic fruit with lots of fiber, they do not spike your blood sugar. Romaine is high in vitamins B, A C, K and is high in minerals like calcium, iron and magnesium.  Romaine contains all 8 essential amino acids so it is a complete protein. 

This recipe is one we will be using in the Fall Clean-Up Cleanse

2 servings  

3 Tb chia seeds*

1 cup water
1 small head romaine
3 apples, chopped peel if not organic
1 ½  scoops of vegan  or whey vanilla protein powder (I used Tera's Whey)
1½ teaspoons of cinnamon
½ teaspoon of ground ginger
1 cup of almond milk (unsweetened)
1 Tb maca (optional)

• Soak chia in water for 30 minutes or overnight
• Add all ingredients to the blender in the order listed above
• Blend, add more almond milk or water to get desired consistency

*If you don't have the chia you can make this recipe without it or you can use ground flax seeds instead.