Interested in trying our FREE 7-day healthy diet plan? A favourite household spice, cinnamon was once traded as currency. The spice has a pleasant flavour and cinnamon bread recipe smell, making it popular in cooking, especially in sweet bakes and savoury curries.

Derived from the inner bark of a small evergreen tree, the bark is peeled and laid in the sun to dry, where it curls into rolls known as cinnamon sticks. Cinnamon is also available in powdered form. Discover our full range of health benefit guides and check out some of our delicious cinnamon recipes, from cinnamon buns to cinnamon tea. The distinctive smell and flavour of cinnamon derives from the essential oils contained in the bark, called cinnamaldehyde. These bacteria may help restore the balance of bacteria in your gut, support digestive health and alleviate any digestive issues. Human trials are promising and suggest cinnamon may have a moderate effect on lowering fasting blood sugar levels in those with diabetes. In Alzheimer’s, accumulation of protein fragments in the brain act by slowing how a person thinks and remembers.

1 tsp per day is considered safe for most adults, with less for children. In rare circumstances, some people may experience allergic contact dermatitis. However, it is high in compounds called coumarins, which in large doses may cause toxicity. Ceylon, or ‘true’ cinnamon, has relatively low levels of coumarins and may be better tolerated.