Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants that inhibit blood clotting and bacterial growth (including the bad-breath variety). It also helps control your blood sugar. USDA researchers found that people with type 2 diabetes who consumed 1 gram of cinnamon a day for 6 weeks (about 1/4 teaspoon each day) significantly reduced not only their blood sugar but also their triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol. Credit the spices active ingrediants, methylhydroxychalone polymers, which increase your cells’ ability to metabolize sugar by up to 20 times.