During the holiday season, almost every grocery store has a cinnamon broom barrel implemented in their floral section. It is impossible to pass the screen without a hint of spicy-sweet aroma ?? and it always puts me in the mood for a cup of apple-cider cinnamon.
Cinnamon is known in the area of health to stabilize sugar levels in the blood and enhancing cognitive function. In addition, it is thought to have an effect on cancer cells.
Cinnamon and cancer cells
Cinnamon has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. One study found that "the proliferation of tumor cells strongly inhibited" and "induces active cell death of tumor cells" by blocking the signals that would otherwise tell cancer cells divide and spread through the body.
cinnamon extract may also inhibit the production of a protein known as vascular endothelial growth factor. Studies show that pleural mesothelioma tumors often test positive for this protein.
In addition, a study in the latest issue of BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that mice treated with cinnamon water extract showed a decrease in TNF-alpha levels in their blood serum. TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor) plays a crucial role in the development of malignant mesothelioma by increasing the number of asbestos-damaged cells that are susceptible to malignant transformation.
Although ground cinnamon is recommended for many recipes, the cinnamon extract is the ingredient that gives mostly positive health benefits in laboratory tests. The following recipe for orange cinnamon cider gets much of its flavor extract ?? so comfortable with a cup and enjoy!
Cinnamon-Orange Cider
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 3 cups apple cider (not apple juice)
- 1 large orange
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon extract
- 1 tablespoon fresh honey (useful for calming a cough related mésothéliome-!)
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg coffee
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- Small pinch of cardamom (helps improve circulation in the lungs)
Directions:
Juice the orange (and cut several slices of bark for garnish). Add all ingredients in a pot.
Simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes to an hour. Serve hot with optional orange peel garnish. Like most apple cider brands already contain sugar (and extra honey will add more), you probably will not need to add additional sweeteners for cider.
If you try this recipe, come back and let us know how you like in the comments below or on Facebook! And feel free to share other holiday recipes as healthy as you plan to do this year!
