This time of year is filled with holiday spices and foods. A favorite spice of many is cinnamon, and there is a good reason for that! Cinnamon is a very versatile spice and it may even be good for you as well. Commonly in America cinnamon is used in sweeter things such as pies, apple cider, cereals, cookies and coffee. However, in many other cultures cinnamon can be found in savory foods including soups and chicken and lamb dishes. Cinnamon is a great spice to add to any type of meal! One reason we have kept cinnamon as an important spice for the last thousand years may correlate with its potential health benefits. This spice has been used to treat things from muscle spasms to the common cold. The National Institute of Health states that a chemical found in Cassia cinnamon, cinnamaldehyde, is known to fight fungal and bacterial infections. Along with this, cinnamon contains many antioxidants. Antioxidants are known for their ability to stop free radicals from causing damage to our body’s cells. All of these potential health benefits are given to us through cinnamon! It has always been a favorite and now we can see why. Don’t be afraid to add an extra pinch into one of your favorite recipes or even try a new savory dish with cinnamon!
Sources: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095232789990128X
