Health & healing

the solution: Cinnamon

the investigation: In a Wrigley's-sponsored study at the University of Illinois at Chicago, subjects were given either Big Red gum (which contains cinnamic aldehyde, a natural component of cinnamon oil) or gum with natural flavors other than cinnamon; a third group was given flavorless gum. After 20 minutes of chewing, the Big Red group's saliva showed a 50 percent reduction of the anaerobic bacteria that causes bad breath. Non-cinnamon-flavored gum lowered oral bacteria by 40 percent, while no effect was observed from the flavorless gum.

the history: Cinnamon oil is an antiseptic used traditionally to relieve bloating and upset stomach,

how to benefit: Chew a stick of cinnamon gum, Or try a Cup of cinnamon-bark tea after you eat; the tea hasn't been clinically proven to improve bad breath, but it does contain the same cinnamon oil.

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