If you think of cinnamon, you probably think of the tasty spice you add to breakfast foods, baked goods, and savoury side dishes. But the truth is that cinnamon isn’t just a delicious spice. It’s also a powerful food that helps you fight disease. That’s why people around the globe have used it for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.
The difference between Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon
It’s important to keep in mind that not all types of cinnamon provide the same benefit. The type of cinnamon that you’re probably most familiar with is Cassia cinnamon. It’s native to China, and you can find it in most grocery stores. Cassia cinnamon is lower in quality and less expensive than Ceylon cinnamon. Also called “true cinnamon,” Ceylon cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka.
Here are 5 reasons why you should add Ceylon cinnamon to your diet:
1. Packed with antioxidants
Ceylon cinnamon isn’t just any other spice. Instead, cinnamon contains more antioxidants than most foods, spices, and herbs. For this reason, it reduces oxidative stress and slows aging. Cinnamon may also protect the body from tumour growth and DNA damage.
2. Decreases inflammation
Ceylon cinnamon has powerful anti-inflammatory effects because of its high antioxidant concentration. Researchers have found, for example, that cinnamon can decrease pain by reducing muscle soreness.