Cinnamon For Inflammation + Our Healthy Sweets Picks

Plus cinnamon recipes!

Happy Friday!

As always, we covered a lot of ground this week! On Monday, we shared our “diet resolutions,” and no, not the traditional ones… so see what we recommended! We also took a look at one of our favorite snacks - nuts.

On Wednesday, we covered the carnivore diet: what it is and our takes. And Diana covered snacks that toddlers and adults can both get into!

Today, we are taking a deep dive into cinnamon - a wonderful warming spice perfect for this time of year. Cinnamon also boasts many health benefits. Keep reading to learn more, and try our recipes:

• Cinnamon-Baked Apples

• Cinnamon Almond Overnight Oats

We are also providing our sweet treat recommendations - healthier takes to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Finally, our New Year Fresh Start Challenge kicks off this Monday! Part 1 helps you take some simple action steps to refresh your kitchen, and in part 2 we take a deeper look at our relationship with food. Subscribe to the Weil Nutrition Corner™ email list today to be part of this action- and reflection-based program. It includes recipes, guides, and even a meal plan!

Every Friday, we share a quick roundup of products we actually use and love - whether in the kitchen, at the table, or while shopping. These are the tools and staples that make cooking, serving, and clean-up easier and more enjoyable. As an Amazon Associate, Weil Nutrition Corner™ may earn from qualifying purchases. Be assured we only recommend products we trust.

Chocolove Bars. I’m a big fan of dark chocolate and usually keep Chocolove bars on hand. The raspberry and almond with sea salt varieties are amongst my favorites. - Dr. Weil

Trader Joe’s Sweets. Most of my sweets come from Trader Joe’s; they really excel at them, and I love their smaller portion sizes. I often have their dark chocolate peanut butter cups, chocolate caramel squares, and mini ice cream cones on hand. - Diana

Tru Fru Chocolate Covered Frozen Fruit: I loooove TruFru for a simple and healthyish dessert. They have so many different fruit options these days, and they really hit the spot for me. - Diana

Food as Medicine: Cinnamon For Inflammation

Cinnamon is more than a warm, comforting spice; it offers real health benefits backed by both traditional use and modern research. Learn more about cinnamon, how we like to use it, and two recipes:

• Cinnamon-Baked Apples

• Cinnamon Almond Overnight Oats

History of Cinnamon

More than 100 different varieties are cultivated today. “Ceylon cinnamon” and “Chinese cinnamon” are the most popular. Ceylon cinnamon – also referred to as “true cinnamon” – is produced in Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Brazil, and the Caribbean. It is known for its relatively refined and subtle taste. Chinese cinnamon, also known as “cassia,” is produced in China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. It is less costly and is the most popular type in North America.

6 Ways Cinnamon Is Healthy

There are plenty of health benefits to cinnamon - it:

1. Is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich. Cinnamon is packed with polyphenols and antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, two drivers of aging, heart disease, and cognitive decline.