Extolling the benefits of cinnamon

It’s not just good-tasting, but proven to be good for you as well.

Cinnamon is one of those ingredients we always have on hand in our pantries. That’s one of the reasons it is a top-selling product produced by the JR Watkins Company. Its quality is well-known, having been given international recognition at previous World Fairs. The spice is not just delicious in apple pies or on buttered toast. Cinnamon is chock full of health benefits. Ancient Chinese medicine has long valued cinnamon for its medical value. Now that natural products and home remedies are so in vogue, we're paying more attention to the capabilities of this special spice.

The following are some of the health benefits of cinnamon.

1. The spice's aroma has been said to boost mood, cognitive function and memory. Specifically, notes the website World's Healthiest Foods: "Cinnamon improved participants' scores on tasks related to attentional processes, memory and visual-motor speed while working on computer-based programs."

2. Cinnamon is known to lower blood sugar in individuals with diabetes. It also can help stabilize blood sugar, which assists in weight loss. So add a dash to your cereal or coffee each morning.  Your hunger and sugar cravings will be reduced throughout the day.

3. Just half a teaspoon a day may lower "bad cholesterol" (LDL), but this does not mean that you should forego exercise or wantonly indulge in foods high in saturated fats.

4. It can help stop the growth of bacteria in foods, thus making it a natural food preservative.

5. When mixed with hot water and honey or tea with ginger, it may prevent the onset of the flu. It may also alleviate headaches or migraines.

6. High in antioxidants, the spice may come in handy treating acne issues and making way for clearer complexions. Learnvest.com suggests trying this treatment method: "Mix 1 teaspoon of powdered cinnamon with 3 tablespoons of honey, apply to the skin, and let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight. Wash off with warm water."

7. Medication-resistant yeast infections may also benefit from the ingestion of cinnamon, based on its anti-fungal properties.

So go ahead, make the spice a grander part of your life, and see what it can do for you.  If you like tea, add a dash to your mug.  Given the numerous health benefits of tea, combining the two practically guarantees to take your health to the next level.

Watkins now offers two types of cinnamon, the original in a tin can, and Saigon cinnamon which comes in a glass bottle.  Both are available online at www.AllNaturalCountryStore.com.