Top 10 Reasons to Chew Cinnamon Sticks, the New Red Hots!

Some reasons why I always want to have a cinnamon stick handy to nibble on (TEENY, TINY bits)!

1. Fresh breath
2. A healthy alternative to gum chewing AND Red Hot candies
3. Appetite suppressant (perhaps, read here for more; link also includes help with blood sugar control)
4. Keeps your mouth busy so you aren't eating out of boredom (also may help with smoking cessation by keeping mouth and hands busy)
5. Cleans teeth, gum and mouth health, cavity prevention

Some other benefits that have been associated with cinnamon, many for thousands of years!

6. Anti-microbial, (check out effectiveness against H. Pylori -- cause of ulcers), anti-fungal, antiviral, antioxidant
7. Flatulence, indigestion, bloating
8. Pain reducer
9. May help with cancer, cholesterol, blood pressure, arthritis, and inflammation

From Dr Michael Greger's Update on Cinnamon for Blood Sugar Control video on nutritionfacts.org

I delayed this post by a month because I became concerned about which type of cinnamon to recommend. There is more research showing benefits of cassia cinnamon on blood sugar control, but getting too much could be harmful to the liver. Ceylon cinnamon is considered the safer cinnamon. Sometimes the cinnamon you shake is a combination, and doesn't even say which kind(s). But looking back to the big picture, it's cinnamon! It tastes delicious (reason #10) and may be good for our health too! We shouldn't go too crazy with it, like everything, just like grandma used to say, everything in moderation :) Grab a stick today!

Here is a link to my other posts about cinnamon, including recipes!