Cinnamon For Treating Diabetes?
Cinnamon For Treating Diabetes?
Diabetes and regulating blood sugar is at epidemic levels with millions of people seeking ways they can control spikes in their sugar levels. The glycemic index of foods was created to assist diabetics with a list of how blood sugar reacts to various foods. Having suffered from diabetes, I know the pains of not enjoying certain foods because of how they affect the body. Then I discovered cinnamon.
Cinnamon is a powerhouse spice that has many benefits. Taken with meals, cinnamon slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, lowering the food’s glycemic index, thus reducing and eliminating spikes in the insulin needed by the body to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
In a 40 day study, cinnamon reduced blood sugar levels by 18-29%, triglycerides by 28-30% and LDL cholesterol by 7-27%. The participants were only given 1000 mg of cinnamon per day. That’s about ½ teaspoon per day. Did you catch that? An average drop of 20% in blood sugar levels with just ½ teaspoon cinnamon per day.
1 teaspoon of cinnamon (approx 2000 mg) provides 0.38 mg manganese, 1.24 g dietary fiber, 0.85 mg iron and 27.84 mg calcium.
Cinnamon helps prevent unwanted clumping of blood platelets and aids in normalizing blood flow and blood pressure. Other benefits are that cinnamon helps lesson inflammation, helps stop the growth of bacteria and fungi and can help provide relief from constipation and diarrhea.
Did you study before a test and still feel a little nervous? Cinnamon scent boosts brain function. Smell some cinnamon before the test for help with memory recall.
When I had diabetes I supplemented 2000-3000 mg of cinnamon a day to keep my blood sugar under control. I still take a couple 500 mg capsules each day because of its awesome benefits. Cinnamon is not just beneficial for diabetics. Include some in your diet and see for yourself the benefits cinnamon provides.