Treat Diabetes With Cinnamon
The inner bark of the cinnamon tree produces the spice cinnamon. Cinnamon originated in the countries of South East Asia. From here, the spice spread to other parts of the world.
Besides its sweet aroma, which enhances the flavor of foods, cinnamon is also noted for its medicinal properties. In traditional medicines, cinnamon is a popular substance for treating a large number of diseases. Recent studies have found enough evidence to support the medicinal properties of this spice.
Cinnamon prevents diabetes
In a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, researchers have found that people who drink cinnamon water solution daily have 23 per cent lesser chance of developing diabetes.
Researchers from the Center for Applied Health Sciences in Fairlawn in Ohio, USA, studied the affect of cinnamon on obese people diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a condition that precedes diabetes. At the pre-diabetes stage, the blood sugar level is higher than normal. However, it is not high enough to be included in the category of diabetes.
Half the participants in the study were advised to take 250 mg of cinnamon solution daily, while rest of the participants were given a placebo. At the end of the study period, the blood samples of the participants were tested. The study showed that cinnamon solution drinkers had 13 to 23 per cent high levels of blood sugar lowering antioxidants in their blood than non-cinnamon drinkers.
Cinnamon increases insulin sensitivity
Cinnamon treats diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to facilitate absorption of sugar present in the blood. Besides stimulating the insulin receptors in the body, cinnamon could slow down activities of an enzyme that inactivates the insulin receptors and reduces insulin sensitivity.
Cinnamon dose for diabetics
In an earlier study conducted by the US Agricultural Research Service, researchers found that the blood sugar level could drop by 20 per cent by taking only one gram of cinnamon per day. People suffering from diabetes might benefit by taking six grams of cinnamon daily.
Besides reducing the blood sugar level, studies have shown than cinnamon could reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. This spice promotes weight loss and prevents heart diseases.
