Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an ancient spice that comes from the bark of several species of the Cinnamomum genus of evergreen trees, which belong to the laurel family. The most popular types of cinnamon are native to Sri Lanka and China, though cinnamon is grown throughout Asia, Europe, and North America.

In antiquity, cinnamon was prized as much for its sweet, sharp, and sensuous fragrance as it was for its taste. The ancient Egyptians used cinnamon along with myrrh to embalm the dead, and the Romans burned it on funeral pyres. It was used in religious ceremonies by the ancient Hebrews and is mentioned in the Bible as an ingredient in the preparation of a holy anointing oil. 

During the Middle Ages in Europe, cinnamon was a status symbol ingredient in cuisine enjoyed by the elite, brought west from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) by Arab traders. The Portuguese took over the cinnamon trade in Ceylon during the 15th century, and centuries of fighting over the spice ensued between them, the Ceylonese, and Dutch and British colonizers,  In time, cultivation of the sought-after spice spread across the globe. Today, cinnamon is more likely to evoke feelings of comfort rather than bloodlust. 

Benefits:

1.Loaded With Antioxidants: Antioxidants protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Cinnamon is loaded with powerful antioxidants, such as polyphenols

2.Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Helps your body fight infections and repair tissue damage. The antioxidants in cinnamon have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help lower your risk of disease.

3.May Cut the Risk of Heart Disease: It reduces levels of total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while “good” HDL cholesterol remains stable.

4.Improve Sensitivity to the Hormone Insulin: This is known as insulin resistance, a hallmark of serious conditions like metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. The good news is that cinnamon can dramatically reduce insulin resistance, helping this important hormone do its job.

5.Lowers Blood Sugar Levels and Has a Powerful Anti-Diabetic Effect: Cinnamon has been shown to reduce fasting blood sugar levels, having a potent anti-diabetic effect at 1–6 grams or 0.5–2 teaspoons per day.

Serving way:

• Make your own Honey Granola, spiced just right.

• Indulge yourself by whipping up a batch of Nutty Date cookies, with a touch of cinnamon.

• Enjoy the pumpkin without the pie and make Cinnamon-Baked Pumpkin as a simple, healthy treat!

• Experience the savory side of cinnamon by baking Winter Squash and Chicken Tzimmes (a Passover-friendly dish that is perfect for a Seder meal).

• When the weather turns chilly, grab the cinnamon sticks and warm up with an Alcohol-Free Hot Toddy.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon#section12