Tag: food

The Wonders of Cinnamon: Stick to the Real Stuff

Cinnamon, beloved by most, hated by a select few. Seriously, if you hate cinnamon, aside from allergy reasons, you need to reevaluate your life. Back to the magic. Derived from the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, cinnamon is packed with great taste and science-backed benefits. Did you know cinnamon was once so valuable it was worth more than gold in ancient times? Today, it’s a kitchen staple with two main varieties: Ceylon (“true” cinnamon) and Cassia (the “regular” kind).

Here’s the low down on cinnamon, in a nice quaint bullet point list:

• Cinnamon does have antioxidant properties and can scavenge free radicals, which combats inflammation and oxidative stress. See this.
• Recent studies show cinnamon may help regulate blood sugar. See this.
• Cinnamon may also lower cholesterol. Another link to read.
• It might also assist weight loss efforts. Last link for now.

Question Is, Should I Use The Spice Cinnamon Or Buy A Supplement?

To put it bluntly, ground cinnamon from your spice rack delivers the same bioactive compounds—without the fillers or inflated price tags.

Supplements often use Cassia cinnamon, which contains high levels of coumarin, a compound that may harm your liver in excess. Now, you may say, my supplement is Ceylon, not Cassia! This is where Ceylon cinnamon shines. Grown primarily in Sri Lanka, it has ultra-low coumarin levels (about 0.004% vs. Cassia’s 1%), making it safer for regular use. Its flavor is subtler and more complex, too—perfect for baking or tea. Research, like a 2017 study in Metabolism, shows Ceylon offers the same blood sugar benefits as Cassia, minus the risks.

That’s all good and fine, but do you really need that much cinnamon? Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the circumstances. Are you working with a doctor or health professional that is recommending it? Then maybe the answer is “Yes, I do need that much you dope.” I’ve never heard that one, but if that’s the truth then more power to you. If not, then maybe consider that a sprinkle in your coffee, tea, or on toast is good enough, and reserve your daily pill cache and money for better options.

Have I Tried It

Yes. I’ve tried ceylon capsules on 2 occasions. The first time for about a month, went through the whole bottle on the recommended dose……Zero. Difference. At. All.

When I decided to give it a 2nd good ol’ college try, I upped the dose to double the first week, and then quadruple the next 2 weeks. Zero. Difference. At. All.

I’ll stick to a sprinkle on my coffee, thank you very much.

So, back to reality here. For most of us, the spice cinnamon is good enough, added to food or drink in moderation, just opt for Ceylon. For the rest of you people under the guidance of a health or medical professional, trust them and not me, and I hope if makes you feel special.

Where to buy Ceylon cinnamon? Try the grocery store. If you’re lazy like me or pressed for time, just Google it. Maybe Amazon. And no, I absolutely get zero commissions for that Amazon link, I got it straight from a google search. I don’t have time for all that hullabaloo.

Again, thank you for tuning in. Keep on keepin’ on.

-The Old Crank