In addition to being a delicious spice associated with the holiday season, cinnamon is also rich in nutrients. Native to India and imported to Egypt as early as 2000 BC, cinnamon was so lauded among ancient Egyptian society that it was considered a gift for kings or even deities. Today, cinnamon is a tad more commonplace, but that doesn’t make it any less valuable.
Health Benefits of Cinnamon
The health benefits of cinnamon are innumerable. According to the National Institutes of Health, this multifaceted spice is an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial. It can also lower your risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, and some studies have indicated it may even fight against the progression of diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. “Now, this doesn’t mean that we should break out the cinnamon challenge, nor will a teaspoon of cinnamon a day cure you of all your diseases,” says Gale Pearson, a Registered Dietician and Certified Diabetes Educator with TPMG Nutrition Services. “But it is a good idea to start thinking of ways you can include this spice in your everyday cooking.”
How to Add Cinnamon to Your Diet
Looking for ways to add cinnamon to your diet? Try this simple recipe for Apple Cinnamon Muffins that are rich in fiber and cinnamon, and schedule a consultation with a dietician at TPMG Nutrition Services in Newport News and Williamsburg, VA.
Ingredients
- 2 cups white whole-wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups finely chopped, peeled apples
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe
Directions
- To prepare, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or coat with cooking spray.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Combine the mixtures and fold gently.
- Stir in butter until well incorporated.
- Fold in the apples.
- Spoon about 1/3 cup of batter into each muffin tin and sprinkle evenly with granulated sugar.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until muffins fully puff and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let muffins cool for 20 minutes.
About Gale Pearson, MS, RDN, CDCES
Gale Pearson, MS, RDN, CDCES is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with over 25 years of experience working with patients on dietary and nutrition wellness planning. Gale received her undergraduate degree from Hampton University and her Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Howard University.
With extensive experience in nutrition counseling, Gale works with her patients to develop strategies to improve their eating habits and lifestyles, in turn helping them to manage their weight and medical conditions. She credits witnessing her patients’ symptoms and overall health improvement as a result of the lifestyle changes as one of the most gratifying and rewarding aspects of her career.
At TPMG Nutrition Services in Newport News and Williamsburg, Gale provides one-on-one consultations, nutrition and weight management counseling, and diabetes education.
