Cinnamon a Remedy for Diabetes

We all know that a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, but what about cinnamon? This zesty and sweet spice is more than just a topping for your cider in the winter months- it can actually improve blood sugar and increase insulin production!

With as little as half a teaspoon of this piquant spice every day, you can help stabilize blood sugar levels and help prevent light-headedness, sleepiness, and that feeling that you just didn't get enough rest the night before.

A study published in Diabetes Care examined 60 people with type 2 diabetes, 30 of which were women and 30 of which were men. All participants in the study had an average age of 52. Divided into 6 groups, those in groups 1, 2, and 3 consumed 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon daily, respectively. Groups 4, 5, and 6, were given placebos that corresponded to the varying levels of cinnamon in the other groups.

What did they discover? All three levels of cinnamon intake reduced the fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels after 40 days. The results of this study show that those with type 2 diabetes that include cinnamon in their diet will reduce risk factors associated with not only diabetes, but also the #1 killer in America, cardiovascular disease.

In addition to these positive attributes for the modest spice, cinnamon increases glucose metabolism and possess agents that serve as antioxidants, pumping up your internal cleansing and your immune system.

What to do with it? Cinnamon is multi-functional both inside and out of our digestive systems. It can be used in tea or coffee, sprinkled on morning cereal or toast, or even a pinch on chicken before cooking. It's subtle flavor will help bring out the other flavors in the food and you still reap the health benefits.

As will everything, take it in moderation. As wonderful as are the benefits of this spice, it would be harmful to consume mass quantities as if it were candy. Try not to consume more than half a teaspoon per day. Enjoy its positive effects, but mind overdoing it since it can add to the effect of blood sugar medication and insulin.

References:Khan A, Safdar M, Ali Khan MM, Khattak KN, Anderson RA. Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2003 Dec;26(12):3215-8.