It is widely
known that the key to a health-promoting diet is a variety of whole, nutritious
foods. However, there are certain foods – and certain food combinations – that
can greatly boost your wellness quotient if you incorporate them into a healthy
lifestyle. One of the most potent superfood duos out there is cinnamon and
honey.
Individually,
both cinnamon and honey boast amazing health benefits. Together, they are a
veritable powerhouse.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is
an ancient spice, and was used culinary and medicinally in both ancient Egypt
and China. This spice comes from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree, which
rolls into a “cinnamon stick” shape when it is dried. These sticks are either
used whole, or ground into powdered form.
There are
over 100 varieties of cinnamon, although what we commonly consume in the West
is cassia cinnamon, which hails from China. Ceylon cinnamon is known as “true
cinnamon,” and has a subtler flavour, but it is difficult to find in this part
of the world.
Got links where you can purchase Ceylon Cinnamon.
This sweet,
aromatic spice is rich in minerals, including calcium and manganese. It also
contains a number of essential oils with active components, including
cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl alcohol and cinnamyl acetate.
These
volatile compounds, as well as other antioxidants found in cinnamon bark, have
potent anti-inflammatory properties and help to combat disease-promoting free
radicals.
Thanks to
its essential oil content, cinnamon possesses antibacterial, antiviral and
antifungal properties. A 2013 study published in the International Journal of
Food Microbiology found that when cinnamon was added to carrot broth, it
effectively controlled the spread of Bacillus cereus, a foodborne bacteria, for
sixty days.
The
cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon has been found to improve circulation and prevent
the unwanted clumping of blood platelets. Because of this, it may aid in the prevention
of heart attack and stroke.
Cinnamon is
linked to helping to lower blood sugar, as it can slow the emptying rate of the
stomach after ingesting food. This improves insulin sensitivity, and can
therefore be of great use to individuals suffering from diabetes, as well as
those diagnosed with pre-diabetes.
The
anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon make it a key food in relieving
multiple types of pain, including joint pain, headaches and menstrual cramping.
Furthermore, cinnamon has been linked to boosting cognitive function – just a
whiff of its aroma may help to improve focus and memory.
Honey
Honey, like
cinnamon, is also an ancient food celebrated for thousands of years for both
its amazing taste and potent medicinal properties. Hippocrates, the father of
modern medicine, refers to it as “liquid gold” in his writings. However, not
all honey is created equal.
Processed,
refined honey is a far cry from natural, raw honey. Many honeys that have
undergone heavy processing no longer contain pollen, which is an important part
of real honey’s health benefits. Also, some honey products that hail from India
and other parts of Asia have been found to contain contaminants, and even
antibiotics and metals.
While a
certified organic honey is likely a safe bet, your absolute best source for
honey is a local, raw variety.
Raw honey
The
importance of finding a raw honey from a local source rests in its ability to
help desensitize your body to allergens commonly found in the area where you
live. When bees produce honey, they deposit a small amount of pollen into it.
Eating a spoon or two of local, raw honey can help build up your immunity to
environmental allergens in your hometown.
Raw honey
can also be extremely beneficial during a cold or cough. Adding a teaspoon of
honey to your tea is not just an old wives tale: it has been scientifically
studied to work. A 2007 study performed at the University of Pennsylvania gave
either raw honey or Dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant medication, to
children between the ages of 2 and 17 who were suffering from upper respiratory
infections.
Upon
analysing the results, the study authors wrote: "In a comparison of honey,
DM, and no treatment, parents rated honey most favourably for symptomatic relief
of their child’s nocturnal cough and sleep difficulty due to upper respiratory
tract infection. Honey may be a preferable treatment for the cough and sleep
difficulty associated with childhood upper respiratory tract infection."
Raw honey
has antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties, and can be applied
topically to both disinfect and help heal numerous wounds and skin conditions,
including minor burns, eczema and dermatitis. When it is ingested, these
properties can help to support your immune system in dealing with pathogens
that may make you sick if left unchecked.
One
particularly potent type of honey is manuka honey. This honey, which hails from
the flower nectar of the manuka tree, native to Australia and New Zealand, has
been found to have up to 200 times the antibacterial potency of any other
honey. Manuka honey can also help to support healthy gut bacteria, which along
with improving digestion may provide a significant boost to your immune system.
Note: Honey
should not be given to children under 12 months of age.
When their
powers combine…
In both
Ayurveda medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, the combination of
cinnamon and honey has been long celebrated. The following are just a few
benefits of blending these two superfoods:
Boosting the
immune system to help prevent seasonal illnesses and other infections
Speeding
recovery from colds and other seasonal ailments
Clearing
sinus congestion
Soothing
indigestion and other digestive disturbances
Aiding in
recovery from bladder infections
Supporting
healthy weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and exercise
Aiding in
the prevention of heart disease and other chronic ailments
Potentially
increasing longevity
Both
cinnamon and honey taste delicious, and the healing powers of these ancient
superfoods are vast. The truth is, we've barely scratched the surface when it
comes to the many benefits of honey.
On the next page we share everything we know about the
countless benefits of this amazing substance, such as the 5 reasons you should
eat honey every day:
Please note always check with your GP before trying anything.
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