Will Cinnamon Help Curb Your Sweet Tooth?

The scent of warm, spicy cinnamon conjures thoughts of hot baked treats: cinnamon rolls, apple pie, coffee cake, and more. But besides being a delicious flavoring for both sweet and savory dishes and drinks, cinnamon has a laundry list full of health benefits and medicinal properties. This prized bark has been around for centuries, dating back to Ancient Egypt where it was used for embalming ceremonies and medicinal applications.

Fast forward to modern day, we still use the versatile spice for its effects on the body. Studies show that cinnamon is high in antioxidants, improves insulin sensitivity, and lowers cholesterol, but most significantly, cinnamon aids in reducing blood sugar levels, according to Healthline. For individuals with diabetes, cinnamon can be added to the diet to increase the body's insulin sensitivity.

But, cinnamon's insulin stabilizing powers extend beyond individuals with diabetes, aiding in regulating blood sugar for non-diabetic individuals which, in turn, can reduce sugar cravings.

When sugar cravings strike, they can be hard to curb. But understanding what brings them on can help you learn how to minimize them. These cravings can be due to low blood sugar, according to Very Well, causing your body to want sugar to improve your sugar level. However, you can also experience sugar cravings after a meal when your blood sugar spikes, causing insulin to rise and thus, triggering sugar cravings. are already elevated. This is where powerhouse cinnamon comes to the rescue, regulating blood sugar levels and reducing insulin sensitivity.

"Research has shown that cinnamon can help to reduce sugar cravings by controlling blood glucose levels, and this helps to minimize insulin spikes that result after an unbalanced meal, which typically lead to increased hunger and sugar consumption," ​​nutritionist Liam Mahoney told Harper's Bazaar.

If you're looking to keep your sugar cravings at bay — and reap all the aforementioned benefits — cinnamon can easily can be added to your breakfast, like on oatmeal, in a smoothie, even over your morning mug of joe. It can also be added to a variety of savory curries, marinades for meat and veggies, and more.