Enjoy cinnamon's health benefits

Embrace cinnamon this season. It may be a common flavoring, but it has uncommon benefits.

What is it? An ancient spice made from tree bark, cinnamon's flavor and aroma are universally appealing. It's most popular during the holidays, but it has been a culinary partner in both sweet and savory cooking for thousands of years. Research indicates that cinnamon may positively affect blood sugar and cholesterol. It's too early to know whether doctors will someday prescribe a trip to the spice aisle instead of the pharmacy, but the findings can inspire great table talk while enjoying cinnamon's unmistakable and festive flavor.

How cinnamon may be good for you

•Lowers blood sugar. Researchers have seen encouraging results in the spice's potential to lower blood sugar. But there have also been recent studies that show no benefit. "The confusion comes because cinnamon is best for lowering glucose when eaten with meals," says Dr. James O'Keefe, director of the Preventive Cardiology Fellowship at St. Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Mo. Some researchers believe the more uncontrolled your blood sugar is, the bigger benefit cinnamon may have.

•May help reduce inflammation. Richard Anderson, a nutrition scientist at the USDA and one of cinnamon's biggest proponents, led a number of studies in which cinnamon lowered blood sugar levels. Anderson also believes the aromatic spice has "potential to significantly affect any inflammatory disease," including heart disease, asthma and arthritis.

Adding it to your diet

It's easy to add cinnamon to baked goods. Here are many delicious ways to add cinnamon to other foods:

•Sprinkle over hot or cold cereal

•Stir into coffee or hot chocolate

•Shake over popcorn or sweet/hot snack mixes

•Boil cinnamon sticks to make cinnamon tea

•Stir into yogurt