Cinnamon has been in use as early as 2,000 B.C. It is a spice made from the dried bark of the evergreen tree Cinnamomum cassia. Today, we typically encounter two types of commercial cinnamon: Ceylon and cassia cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon is primarily produced in Indonesia and has the stronger smell and flavor of the two varieties. It has a darker, redder color than Ceylon cinnamon or Mexican canela. This cheaper variety is what we usually buy in grocery stores to sprinkle on our apple pies or French toast. The more expensive Ceylon cinnamon, is the dried inner bark of shoots of C. zeylanicum Nees. Most of it is still produced in Sri Lanka, has a milder, sweeter flavor popular for both baking and flavoring hot drinks such as coffee or hot chocolate.
1 teaspoon of cinnamon provides 6 calories, 2 gm carbohydrate, 1 gm dietary fiber, 3% calcium, and 1% iron. These is insufficient evidence to rate the effectiveness of cinnamon for diabetes. There is inconsistent evidence on the effectiveness of cassia cinnamon for treating diabetes. Early research suggests that taking cassia cinnamon for about 6 six weeks might help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. However, other evidence suggest that taking cassia cinnamon daily for 12 weeks improves blood pressure, but not cholesterol, blood sugar, or weight in people with diabetes. Overall, research is inconclusive. Some studies show benefit and other studies show no benefit.
You can substitute ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon extract for 1 cinnamon stick. For milling, wrap the ground cinnamon in cheesecloth or a coffee filter which is tied with a kitchen string or clean twist-tie.
Check out the Cinnamon Peach Smoothie and Breakfast Bread Pudding recipes in Flavorful Fortified Food - Recipes to Enrich Life.
1 teaspoon of cinnamon provides 6 calories, 2 gm carbohydrate, 1 gm dietary fiber, 3% calcium, and 1% iron. These is insufficient evidence to rate the effectiveness of cinnamon for diabetes. There is inconsistent evidence on the effectiveness of cassia cinnamon for treating diabetes. Early research suggests that taking cassia cinnamon for about 6 six weeks might help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. However, other evidence suggest that taking cassia cinnamon daily for 12 weeks improves blood pressure, but not cholesterol, blood sugar, or weight in people with diabetes. Overall, research is inconclusive. Some studies show benefit and other studies show no benefit.
You can substitute ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon extract for 1 cinnamon stick. For milling, wrap the ground cinnamon in cheesecloth or a coffee filter which is tied with a kitchen string or clean twist-tie.
Check out the Cinnamon Peach Smoothie and Breakfast Bread Pudding recipes in Flavorful Fortified Food - Recipes to Enrich Life.
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