Coconut Balls

If you're a lover of coconut then this energy snack is perfect for you. With maple syrup as a natural sweetener and cinnamon, a spice that packs a healthy punch.

Antioxidants protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. 

Cinnamon is loaded with powerful antioxidants, such as polyphenols (3, 4, 5).In a study that compared the antioxidant activity of 26 spices, cinnamon wound up as the clear winner, even outranking “superfoods” like garlic and oregano (6)

Inflammation in the body is incredibly important. It helps the body fight infections and repair tissue damage. However, inflammation can become a problem when it is chronic (long-term) and directed against the body’s own tissues. Cinnamon may be useful in this regard, because some studies show that the antioxidants in it have potent anti-inflammatory activity (3).

In animal studies, cinnamon has been shown to reduce blood pressure (3)

Apart from the beneficial effects on insulin resistance, cinnamon can lower blood sugar by several other mechanisms. First, cinnamon has been shown to decrease the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream after a meal. It does this by interfering with numerous digestive enzymes, which slows the breakdown of carbohydrates in the digestive tract (12, 13). Second, a compound in cinnamon can act on cells by mimicking insulin (14, 15). This greatly improves glucose uptake by cells, although it acts much slower than insulin itself. Numerous human trials have confirmed the anti-diabetic effects of cinnamon, showing that it can lower fasting blood sugar levels by up to 10-29% (16, 17, 18) 

The effective dose is typically 1-6 grams of cinnamon per day (around 0.5-2 teaspoons).

Basically use cinnamon whenever you can, in your morning coffee perhaps.

Ingredients 

1 3/4 cups of unsweetened shredded coconut, divided

2 teaspoons of melted coconut oil

3 tablespoons of maple syrup

2 tablespoons of unsweetened coconut milk

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1/8 teaspoon of salt

Directions

1. Place 1 cup of shredded coconut in a food processor along with the coconut oil. Process on high speed, scraping down the sides periodically, until it reaches a paste like consistency. It does not have to be completely smooth, coconut texture is good!

2. Add the maple syrup, coconut milk, cinnamon, and salt, and process until well combined. Add 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of shredded coconut to this mixture and mix till well combined.

3. Shape the mixture into 12 (1-inch balls) and coat with remaining shredded coconut. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Lasts for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving. 

I got this recipe courtesy of The Kitchn... This is my fourth post of my January healthy dessert calendar, Resolution Recipes. Resolution Recipes is a energy bar calendar... Everyday I will be posting a new healthy bar or dessert you should definitely try starting 2017! So get ready to burn some calories and start the new year right!

              "Mini Desserts From Your Mini Blogger..."