Cinnamon and weight loss go together so well it’s a wonder that cinnamon supplements aren’t best sellers because the benefits of cinnamon are truly extraordinary when compared with other foods and spices.

In fact, cinnamon benefits, especially cinnamon health benefits, far outweigh the slight inconvenience of consuming a full teaspoon of this tasty spice. Some people just can’t seem to get used to getting a full teaspoon of cinnamon down the hatch because of the intensity of the flavor. Others thrive on it. But cinnamon capsules can do the job quite easily.

Cinnamon is cheaper than the prescription drugs that are usually prescribed to control blood sugar levels; they don’t have any adverse side effects; and cinnamon and blood sugar work well together to maintain a healthy insulin balance.

The health benefits of cinnamon extend to weight loss, as well. Cinnamon and weight loss are the result of a dynamic interaction within the pancreas that takes place when enough cinnamon has been ingested. Experts agree that simply sprinkling cinnamon on food or drinking cinnamon spiced tea doesn’t provide nearly enough of this great tasting spice to do the job. More is definitely better - depending on the precise health benefit you are looking for. However, at least one full teaspoon is required for an effective cinnamon supplement.

Does cinnamon lower cholesterol? You bet it does! That’s another of cinnamon health benefits. Cinnamon and cholesterol mellow each other out when they meet in your blood stream.

But be wary of the cinnamon you find at the supermarket because it may not be the real thing. In supermarkets in the United States all of the powdered cinnamon sold is actually a similar tasting spice named cassia. Due to a toxic component in cassia called coumarin, European health agencies have recently warned against consuming high amounts of cassia because it can make a person quite ill. Instead of obtaining cinnamon at the supermarket, shop for it at a health food store where you’re much more likely to find real cinnamon.

Cinnamon is used in the preparation of chocolate, especially in Mexico, which is the main importer of true cinnamon. It is also used in the preparation of desserts,such as apple pie and cinnamon buns as well as spicy candies, tea, hot cocoa, and liqueurs. In the Middle East, it is often used in savory dishes of chicken and lamb.

In medicine cinnamon once had a reputation as a cure for colds. It has also been used to treat diarrhea and other problems of the digestive system. It is high in antioxidant activity.