Cinnamon is a warming spice with the flavor you know and love, especially during the holidays. It’s an essential ingredient in eggnog, pumpkin pie, apple pie, snickerdoodles, cinnamon tea, and many other holiday favorites.
However, the benefits of cinnamon go beyond holiday flavor and nostalgia; cinnamon is good for your health.
At Scott’s Protein Balls, we are obsessed with the health benefits of cinnamon and can’t wait to share more with you today. If you haven’t already read our previous blogs about cinnamon benefits, please go back and check these out:
- Benefits of adding cinnamon to coffee
- Cinnamon benefits for women
- Cinnamon health benefits from our dietitian
Now, let’s dive into our most important question: What are the health benefits of cinnamon?
The Benefits of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a good source of:
- Vitamins, like vitamin K, required for blood clotting
- Minerals, especially manganese, which is important for bone health and antioxidant activities
- Polyphenols – medicinal plant compounds
Beyond the vitamin and manganese benefits, many of the medicinal properties of cinnamon are because of the high polyphenol content.
Let’s look at six reasons to eat more cinnamon for health this holiday season.
Aids in Digestion
Cinnamon is anti-microbial and anti-parasitic, helping to keep gut pathogens away and support microbiome balance. Cinnamon is also soothing to the digestive tract. If you overeat or have any digestive symptoms from heavy holiday food, you might enjoy the calming benefits of cinnamon tea.
Acts as an Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory
Cinnamon polyphenol health benefits involve antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. The plant compounds in cinnamon help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. In other words, cinnamon helps to protect your cells and DNA from damage. It also helps reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Stabilizes Blood Sugar
A primary benefit of cinnamon is its positive effect on blood sugar balance. Much of the research on cinnamon and blood sugar has looked at people with type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon consumption in this population, often at therapeutic dosages, reduces fasting blood sugar and improves insulin resistance.
Alleviates Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where people experience significant inflammation, pain, swelling, and restricted joint movement. Studies suggest that cinnamon use in these patients may help reduce inflammation and associated arthritis symptoms.
Improves Cognition
Changes in brain health may occur with diabetes and other chronic diseases. In research, cinnamon demonstrates benefits for cognition and memory. People who regularly eat cinnamon have higher working memory levels than non-users.
It’s important to note that those who eat cinnamon may have a better overall diet for brain health. The brain likes healthy fats, anti-inflammatory foods, and colorful high-polyphenol foods like blueberries and cinnamon.
Protects Cardiovascular System
High blood sugar is problematic for your heart, and cinnamon use may address that risk factor. However, cinnamon may also help to normalize blood pressure and cholesterol levels, showing additional cardiovascular benefits.
A Delicious Addition to Healthy Diets
Cinnamon spice is safe and healthy to add to your diet in typical amounts found in recipes and added to dishes. You’ll also find cinnamon in our new cinnamon protein balls, which are the perfect holiday snack.
Cinnabun Balls
Cinnamon Bun Protein Balls offer protein, healthy fats, fiber, and cinnamon to help you feel your best this holiday season. It’s made with 100% plant-based ingredients and provides 8 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per serving.
Cinnabun Ball Ingredients
Look at the back of our protein balls packages and you won’t find a long list of unrecognizable ingredients like other protein balls. Instead, you’ll find quality, real food ingredients with numerous health benefits.
The ingredients in Cinnamon Bun Protein Balls are:
- Almond butter
- Allulose
- Pea protein
- Chia seeds
- Medium chain triglycerides
- Chicory root fiber
- Broccoli seed powder (link to sulforaphane article)
- Oat flour
- Flax seeds
- Coconut
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
Incorporating cinnamon into your diet, particularly during the holidays, is comforting and delicious, and good for you too! Grab a bag of Cinnamon Bun Protein Balls and incorporate cinnamon into your healthy snacking routine. You’ll get the benefits all year long!
