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Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum )
Cinnamon Extract Spices Up Sugar Metabolism
Cinnamon adds zest to more than just food. The spice contains substances that, in test tube studies, wake up body cells to the hormone insulin. Because insulin regulates glucose metabolism and thus controls the level of glucose in the blood, the substances may have the potential to delay or prevent adult-onset, or type 2, diabetes.
Cinnamon is a spice which has been used for thousands of years as a herbal medicine. In powder form, it can be used as a flavouring because of its sweet smell and it’s oil has been used as a herbal medicine.
The connection between diabetes and cinnamon has recently been studied scientifically. Dr Richard Anderson at the US Department of Agriculture's Human Nutrition Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland found that just half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon a day significantly reduces blood sugar levels in diabetics. The effects of cinnamon on diabetes can even be achieved when you soak a bark of cinnamon in your tea.
The researchers were looking at the effects of food on blood sugar when they stumbled across the benefits of cinnamon. They found that an apple pie spiced with cinnamon helped reduce blood sugar levels. Eating apple pies and cakes covered in cinnamon is not recommended because of their fat and sugar content, but adding cinnamon to your tea can help.
The link between diabetes and cinnamon is not the only benefits of cinnamon. The herb has also been used in fungal infections, stomach ulcers and some allergic reactions. Just as a point to note, cinnamon can also reduce blood sugar in non-diabetic people.
It is advised that you speak to a trained healthcare professional, such as your doctor, before you start taking any herbal treatments to combat your diabetes or any other medical condition.
In the study that was done (Journal reference: Diabetes Care (vol 26, p 3125) some of the diabetics’ blood sugar levels started to creep up after they stopped taking cinnamon. But in general, all people in the study responded within weeks; having blood sugar levels that were on average about 20 per cent lower than those of the control groups!
The connection between diabetes and cinnamon is being studied further. With a disease like diabetes, it is important to speak to a health professional before you start treatment as there are other things that can affect the condition (e.g. weight, lifestyle etc).
About the Author:
Wasuk Jones is the owner of http://www.mydiabetesdata.com, a web site which helps those who have been diagnosed with diabetes answer those niggling questions.
