Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon has a multitude of health benefits. It can be easily found at most supermarkets at an inexpensive price. Many diets that include cinnamon are used for a variety of health issues, as well as for preventative measures for many diseases. It can be used as a diet aid in those who are on a weight loss regimen, to stabilize blood sugar, for digestive problems, nausea and more.

Weight Loss Benefits

A cinnamon diet can be used as a weight loss aid. Cinnamon warms the body and speeds up the metabolism. When a person's metabolism is faster then more calories are burned, which contributes to weight loss. The recipe for this to work includes taking half of a teaspoon of cinnamon and mixing it into a teaspoon of honey, putting it into a cup of water and boiling the mixture. Take a coffee filter and pour it into a mug and separate it into two equal amounts. Drink one of them about a half hour before eating breakfast and the other about half an hour before bedtime. Alternatively, the honey can be added after the cinnamon and water mixture has been boiled if you desire.

Diabetes Control

A diet that includes the regular intake of cinnamon is an excellent aid in controlling high blood sugar levels. Cinnamon is known to lower the levels of blood glucose in people who have diabetes Type 2. The Journal of Diabetes Care published a study back in 2003 showing 60 people who were afflicted with diabetes Type 2 who were taking pharmaceutical medications for diabetes. These people were given cinnamon in various doses while others were given a placebo for a time period of 40 days. The levels of blood glucose fell anywhere from 18% to 29% in those who had taken the cinnamon, while the people who were given a placebo had no improvement. It is recommended that a diet with daily cinnamon be used for reduction of blood glucose control, as well as for prevention.

Cholesterol Levels

According to Dr. Richard A. Anderson and his colleagues at the Human Nutrition Research Center of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a diet that includes regular consumption of cinnamon has the benefit of lowering blood lipid levels; the bad cholesterol. When consuming a regular diet of cinnamon, the LDL-Cholesterol levels drop anywhere from 7% to 27%, while the good cholesterol levels are not affected.

Digestion

Cinnamon is known to aid in digestion. People who have gastrointestinal issues can benefit from a diet which includes a daily dose of cinnamon. This will calm their digestive system by helping them to avoid chronic episodes of diarrhea, constipation and other gastrointestinal discomforts, as well as the nausea that can be associated with these ailments.

Resources and References

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-cinnamon.html

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/cinnamon.htm

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