PLANT POWER: Cinnamon packs more punch than most super foods
June 15, 2019 • 1 min read
Good news for lovers of cinnamon doughnuts – your artery-clogging treat possesses certain beneficial health properties.
In a study comparing antioxidant activity of 26 spices, cinnamon was the clear winner, even outranking so-called superfoods, including garlic and oregano.
The spicy taste and fragrance of cinnamon can be attributed to the presence of cinnamaldehyde, which scientists believe is responsible for most of cinnamon’s health benefits.
Of special interest to scientists is the spice’s potent anti-inflammatory properties. Foods high in sugar and trans-fats cause inflammation, which is linked to a range of diseases, including cancer.
Cinnamon is also known to boost ‘good’ HDL cholesterol, and has been shown to decrease the amount of glucose entering the bloodstream after a meal.
Several studies suggest that including cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes will reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Go hard on cinnamon, easy on the doughnuts.