1. It's a Powerful Antioxidant

Aside from having more antioxidants than a handful of blueberries, in a recent study, cinnamon proved to be more of an antioxidant powerhouse than 25 other spices like garlic and oregano. In fact, it's so successful at preventing oxidisation that it can be used as a method of food preservation.

2. It's an Anti-Inflammatory

Experiencing some post-gym soreness? Try adding a little cinnamon to your protein shake. In a study of 60 women aged 13 to 25, cinnamon was proven to significantly reduce muscle pain in the participants. Cinnamon also has the ability to reduce inflammation in the central nervous system, which brings us to our next point…

3. It Supports the Brain

An extract of cinnamon called CEppt significantly reduces the number of toxins in the neural cells and improves cognitive performance, even reducing symptoms of and future proneness to Alzheimer's disease. Ground cinnamon has also been found to counteract symptoms of Parkinson's disease due in part to the protective nature of sodium benzoate, which is what digested cinnamon metabolises into. 

You don't have to eat raw cinnamon to reap its brain-boosting benefits, either: In one study, participants were given cognitive tasks on a computer and administered cinnamon gum, cherry gum, peppermint gum, flavorless gum, or no gum in five different tests. Out of all of the tests, the participants showed the most success while chewing cinnamon gum in terms of memory, visual-motor response, and attention.

4. It Promotes Heart Health

If you've just overindulged in a fatty meal, eat some cinnamon afterward: Triglycerides or levels of fat in your blood have actually been shown to decrease by about 30% after eating the spice.

Cinnamon is also proven to reduce blood glucose levels and cholesterol when consuming 120 milligrammes per day. One teaspoon is equal to 5000 milligrammes, so rest assured you'll get your daily dose in one day without feeling like you're consuming too much.

5. It Lowers Blood Glucose Levels

Type 1 diabetics don't produce enough insulin, however, the polyphenol Type A polymers in cinnamon are proven to act as insulin-like molecules. And as mentioned previously, cinnamon helps lower blood glucose levels, making it a powerhouse against diabetes.

6. It's an Anti-Cancer Agent

While tested in mice, cinnamon extract was found to reduce oxidative stress in melanoma cells. Cinnamic acid (found in cinnamon oil) has also been shown to reduce tumour growth as well as kill tumour cells, suggesting that it's a successful force against cancer.

I have some in capsule form, if I remember to take it it might boost my memory to always remember to take it! I think I have an inherent objection to taking meds etc so am programmed to forget :(

Me too Viv.   That's a good excuse for me to remember too.

I have always added a teaspoonful of cinnamon to my cereals in the morning, whether it be muesli, porridge etc. I must have known! Seriously, it tastes yummy and a small jar lasts a long time. Wouldn't bother with capsules.

I keep the cinnamon jar in the fridge next to the LSA, wheat  germ etc so it is with these additions to my cereals and not forgotten.

The  use of too much cassia cinnamon can be toxic...stay safe and use Ceylon cinnamon...

Types of cinnamon

Ceylon Cinnamon – Cinnamomum verum, called true cinnamon tree or Ceylon cinnamon tree is a small evergreen tree belonging to the family Lauraceae, native to Sri Lanka. Among other species, its inner bark is used to make cinnamon.

Chinese Cinnamon – Cinnamomum cassia, called Chinese cassia, is an evergreen tree originating in southern China, and widely cultivated there and elsewhere in southern and eastern Asia. It is one of several species of Cinnamomum used primarily for their aromatic bark, which is used as a spice.

While the two species of cinnamon share certain characteristics such as antimicrobial, and in terms of inhibiting the growth of fungi and yeast, and regulating blood sugar, their contents differ much in terms of the amount of coumarin, which is a naturally occurring substance with strong blood-thinning properties.

The coumarin level in Ceylon cinnamon is negligibly small, while that in Chinese Cinnamon is 1200 times higher. Due to its high levels of coumarin, which could damage the liver if taken in huge amounts, European health agencies have warned against consuming high amounts of Chinese Cinnamon.

Next question: Where is Ceylon Cinnamon readily available?

According to Google you can get it at Coles & Woolworths

My husband & I have added cinnamon to our first morning cuppa-in my case ginger & lemon -with a teaspn of honey for a good few years. Mainly for anti inflammatory properties so far we ve managed to not have much problem with arthritis. He also has cherries fresh in season or frozen, result has not had a bout of gout for over 2 years! Put cinnamon on oats fruit & anything else I fancy. And my cholesterol reading last week which had been high has started to go down. I refuse to take statins btw as they do more harm than good. Good health everyone.