Cinnamon Benefits For Diabetics

What is Cinnamon?

One of the cinnamon’s most impressive health benefits is its ability to improve blood glucose level. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels, triglycerides, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. These natural therapies in conjunction with good nutrition and exercise will better your health.

There are two types of cinnamon: Ceylon and cassia, both derived from the bark of evergreen trees. Ceylon cinnamon is grown in South America, Southeast Asia, and the West Indies, while cassia cinnamon is grown in Central America, China, and Indonesia. Ceylon cinnamon bark looks like tightly rolled scrolls, while cassia cinnamon is more loosely rolled. Cassia is the variety most commonly sold in the United States.

Cinnamon and Blood Sugar

Cinnamon might reduce blood sugar levels, according to research reported in the May 2006 issue of the “European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.” Scientists at the University of Hannover in Germany observed that type 2 diabetics consuming cinnamon extract, which contained the equivalent to 3 grams of cinnamon powder, daily for four months lowered their blood glucose levels compared with those ingesting a placebo.

Possible effects of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a relatively safe supplement when consumed at a dose of a few grams per day (1 teaspoon of powdered cinnamon is about 4 grams). No significant adverse events have been reported. It has been pointed out that cassia cinnamon contains a compound called coumarin, which is toxic to the liver and can cause potentially irreversible damage. Definitely, anyone who has liver disease or liver problems should avoid taking this type of cinnamon.

Note: no researchers have investigated the effect of cinnamon on type 1 diabetic subjects.

Benefits derived from Cinnamon

• It enhances your antioxidant defenses.
• It increases your glucose metabolism significantly.
• It qualifies as an insulin substitute.
• It improves the effectiveness, or sensitivity, of insulin.
• It may alter the insulin-signaling activity in your fat cells.