Cinnamon and Diabetes
and Other Health Benefits

You might not think about cinnamon and diabetes when you sprinkle some of this aromatic spice on your toast or oatmeal, but you should.

Cinnamon has long been used in both Eastern and Western cultures as a medicine. Some of its many therapeutic uses include:

• The treatment of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and indigestion.

• To counteract congestion, colds and flues.

• To aid peripheral circulation.
  

• It warms the body and enhances digestion, especially the metabolism of fats.
  

• It's been used to fight fungal and yeast infections and as an antiseptic.
  

• It has even been used in the treatment of epilepsy with excellent results.
  

• It's thought to have anticancer properties: in laboratory tests it has stopped the growth of liver cancer and melanoma cells.

• Doses of cinnamon tincture taken every fifteen minutes have been shown to stop uterine bleeding.

• Because of its high concentration of antioxidants can protect against free radical damage especially in the brain, helping defend against Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
  

• Its anti-inflammatory properties can help fight inflammation throughout the body.

Cinnamon and Diabetes

As wonderful as all these facts are, most of the research has been done on cinnamon and diabetes.

Researchers recently discovered that this warming spice can actually help to lower your blood sugar.

Some of the natural compounds in cinnamon, called polyphenol polymers, have the ability to mimic insulin, helping glucose to reach the cells, where it can be used for energy, and significantly lowering blood sugar in the process.

One study done by Dr. Richard Anderson, PhD, involving 60 men and women found that taking as little as 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (or 1 to 2 g.) of cinnamon a day lowered fasting blood sugar by 18 to 29%, their LDL cholesterol dropped 7 to 17%, their triglycerides fell 23 to 30%, and their good HDL cholesterol rose slightly.

They also tested higher amounts of the spice - 3 and 6 g. - but they found that there was no advantage to taking more than 1 g.

Significantly, the volunteers' blood sugar levels started climbing again when they stopped taking the cinnamon.

Cinnamon also contains the mineral manganese, which may improve the way your body uses blood sugar. Just 2 teaspoons can set you up with more than a third of the manganese you need for the day.

The natural chemicals in cinnamon can help to prevent blood platelets from clumping together and forming dangerous clots that can trigger a heart attack.

And studies show that the spice has an unexpected effect on the brain: a mere whiff of cinnamon can boost brain activity and improve concentration.

Serving Suggestions:

• Add cinnamon to apple sauce as the apples are cooking or use it to spice up baked apples.
  
  
• Shake it on wholegrain toast or wholegrain English muffins.
  
  
• Add a half teaspoon or so of cinnamon to ground coffee before starting the pot. You can also add it to tea or drink chai, which contains cinnamon and other spices.
  
  
• Mix it into hot cereals, especially porridge.
  
  
• Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top of ice cream or frozen yogurt or add it to plain yogurt along with a little honey.
  
  
• Mix some with low-fat cream cheese for a tasty spread.
  
  
• Add a cinnamon stick or pinch of ground cinnamon to minced beef dishes or stews.
  
  
• Flavor winter squash or sweet potatoes with cinnamon.

Are you wondering whether there are any supplements that can help you fight this condition? What are the best supplements for diabetes? Click on NEXT to find out or go back to the Treatment of Diabetes main page to select another article.

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Articles in the Diabetes Series

Treatment of Diabetes (main page)

Causes of Diabetes

Types of Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Complications of Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes Diet

Reverse Diabetes with Healing Foods

Healing Foods for Diabetes - Part 1

Best Diabetes Foods - Part 2

Cinnamon and Diabetes

Supplements for Diabetes

Magnesium Rich Foods

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What Are Whole Grains?

Glycemic Index of Foods - How to Use it To Your Advantage

Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load - What's the Difference?

Slow Carbs vs. Fast Carbs

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