Everything from heart and brain health to digestion and virus protection, lets chat about 8 of the many reasons that true Ceylon cinnamon is so insanely good for you!

Cinnamon, the smell of the holidays! Its amazing how our senses of smelling and tasting can quickly transport us to a time and place. That is one thing cinnamon definitely does for me! It transports me to the Holiday Season!! The crisp cool air, Christmas trees and Christmas lights, singing carols, laughing and eating with friends and family, and so much more! I love so much about this fantastic spice, but it is also because I know how GOOD cinnamon is for me and my family!!!

Cinnamon has been used medicinally throughout the world for thousands of years. Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is from the bark of a tree in Sri Lanka and is different from Cassia Cinnamon. But lets focus on what Ceylon Cinnamon can do to help improve your life!

1 - Cinnamon can help fight viruses and infections.

Cinnamon has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties that naturally help your immune system fight off those inevitable germs that you encounter. That makes this ingredient not only seasonally perfect, but also medicinally perfect for the illness all around us this time of year! Try to add a bit more cinnamon (true Ceylon cinnamon) into your diet to help fight off infections!

2 - Cinnamon has great anti-inflammatory properties.

What is more soothing for aching joints than a warm cup of tea!? I know there are a lot of other ways that you can consume cinnamon, but I am a bit biased to just making it in tea form! And what is better than a tea that is warm and soothing as well as naturally beneficial to reduce inflammation? Inflammation is a reaction in the body when the white blood cells are released to the affected area and are trying to protect your body from foreign substances. Some of the chemicals from the white blood cells cause a release of fluid into the area which results in swelling and like many of us know, this swelling can definitely lead to pain and discomfort. When this swelling occurs in joints it can be particularly painful because of the pressure cause from the build up of this fluid. Cinnamon is a fantastic way to naturally help the body fight off this inflammation and release this fluid that builds up.

3 - Cinnamon is great for the heart.

About 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year making it the leading cause of death for both men and women. 1 in every 4 deaths are from heart disease. There is so much research that shows how cinnamon is good for the heart and can reduce the risk of heart disease! In May of this year, the American Heart Association released findings that indicate the popular spice can help lessen the risk of heart disease or cardiovascular damage, which are often linked to eating a high-fat diet.

4 - Cinnamon can help regulate blood sugars by lowering insulin resistance.

In one study conducted for 40 days, volunteers consumed 1-6 grams of cinnamon per day. This study found that cinnamon cut both cholesterol and blood sugar levels! Cholesterol was lowered by 18% and blood sugar levels by 24%!

5 - Cinnamon contains powerful antioxidants.

We all know the power of building antioxidants in your system! Free radicals cause oxidative damage in the body and antioxidants are important to help protect our bodies from this damage! Free radicals can start a chain reaction like dominos

6 - Cinnamon is great for brain health.

Studies have shown that by eating cinnamon, you increase the levels of sodium benzoate in your brain which in turn increases the levels of neurotrophic factors. This process is crucial for helping with the longevity of the neurons in your brain along with the creation of new neurons. Long live brain health!!!

7 - Cinnamon is great for digestion.

This could be a topic all on its own! With natural properties that help the body naturally eliminate indigestion, flatulence, stomach cramps, nausea, and heartburn, WHY don't we drink this after EVERY MEAL?!? The entire digestive system can be naturally kicked into gear with this great ingredient!

8 - Cinnamon is great for your breath.

Add to the perfect pairing of an herb to drink after meals, cinnamon kills bad breath germs before they have a chance to kill a good conversation! Another great reason that I love to serve a perfect chai with dessert at dinner parties!

Need cinnamon now right!? Well FIRST you definitely want to make sure that you have TRUE CINNAMON! Ceylon Cinnamon is "True Cinnamon" that I am talking about in this post. Other "cinnamons" are called Vietnamese, Saigon, or Cassia and those are not True Cinnamon, nor do they contain the powerful properties found in Ceylon Cinnamon from Sri Lanka.

There are plenty of Cozy Leaf tea blends that contain this delicious CEYLON CINNAMON!