Cinnamon is a common spice obtained from the bark of cinnamon trees. There are two types of cinnamon: Ceylon which is grown and harvested in Sri Lanka and South India and Cassia which is grown and harvested in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Vietnam and China. Cinnamon has been consumed by humans since as early as 2000 BC and was known to have been used by Ancient Egyptian doctors to treat illnesses such as arthritis, coughs, and sore throats.

There is evidence that cinnamon may be beneficial as an aid to digestion and for people living with diabetes, cinnamon has been shown to lower blood sugar levels by decreasing insulin resistance. Cinnamon supplements may also be helpful when dieting as it has been shown to increase metabolism. In one study, where volunteers took from one to six grams of cinnamon over a period of forty days, cholesterol levels were significantly lowered.

With all of the many positive uses of cinnamon being documented throughout the centuries, consuming one to six grams of cinnamon a day by sprinkling it on food or adding a dash to hot beverages or deciding to take a daily cinnamon pill, capsule or tablet may not be a bad idea.