You may be surprised as I was when I researched the health benefits of the spice, cinnamon and one of mankind's original sweeteners, honey. These two ordinary staples, found in most kitchens, carry a powerhouse of benefits. It is not often that foods that taste good are also good for you too.

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known to man and comes from a small tree that grows in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam and Egypt. The spice is extracted through the bark of the tree and is dried and then rolled into cinnamon sticks, also called "quills". The sticks can then be ground into the powder that most of us use. The unique flavor and aroma of cinnamon comes from an essential oil in the bark called "cinnamonaldehyde."

Did you know that there are four main varieties of cinnamon? Of course not, but I learned that Ceylon and Cassia are the most popular. The Ceylon cinnamon is considered the sweetest and easiest to grind of the group and that is probably the reason why it is also the most expensive and sold mostly in specialty stores. Supermarket cinnamon is the Cassia variety. It has a darker color and the sticks are harder and more difficult to grind.

Besides the delicious and aromatic benefits in cooking, scientific studies of cinnamon have been performed substantiating many of the following amazing health benefits:

* Just half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.

* Cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.

* In one study, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

* It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.

* When added to food, it reduces bacterial growth making it a natural food preservative.

* The smell of cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.

* Cinnamon fights the E.coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.

* Cinnamon is a good source of manganese, fiber, iron and calcium.

* Traditional Chinese medicine uses cinnamon for colds, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea and painful menstrual periods. They also believe that it improves energy, vitality and circulation.

* It is a common ingredient in chai tea, believed to aid in digestion of fruit and dairy products.

Even with a simple spice like cinnamon, there are warnings for people who add high doses of it to their diet for health benefits. People on diabetes medication, or any medication that affects blood glucose or insulin levels,

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