Cinnamon for Diabetes
The benefit of cinnamon-for-diabetes is based on the capability of one component to increase sugar metabolism in cells by up to twenty- times. Studies at the USDA’s Human Nutrition Research Center revealed that an ingredient in cinnamon mimics insulin and increases the sensitivity of the cells to insulin. Recent studies have shown many potentially beneficial health effects of cinnamon such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties, anti-microbial activity, blood-glucose control, reducing cardiovascular disease, boosting cognitive function, and reducing risk of colon cancer. Studies also indicate that cinnamon-for-diabetes beneficial effects can occur with as little as a half teaspoon of cinnamon a day. A 2007 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to rice pudding
moderated the high blood sugar response normally experienced following dessert. This does not mean that we should all run out and buy a sugar loaded pastry just
because it has some cinnamon on it.
Cinnamon is used to flavor a variety of foods. It is especially popular in bakery goods from bear claw pastries to sweet cinnamon and pecan rolls. Flavoring black tea with cinnamon is an excellent way to get the right amount of cinnamon. Black tea is also another good way to boost insulin activity. I like cinnamon on my oatmeal and sometimes sprinkle some in m
Cinnamon, the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree has two main types, Ceylon cinnamon and Chinese Cassia cinnamon. Cinnamon is available in either its whole quill form (cinnamon sticks) or as ground powder. While Ceylon cinnamon is primarily produced in Sri Lanka, a South Asian country, it is produced in several other countries as well. The cinnamon-for-diabetes beneficial effects appear to be real but all cinnamon is not made equal. Both Ceylon cinnamon and cassia cinnamon contain coumarin. Coumarin is a naturally occurring plant compound with strong anticoagulant properties and may have toxic effects on the liver. The coumarin content in Ceylon cinnamon is small and the coumarin level in cassia cinnamon appears to be much higher. It is always important to discuss the use of any herb, including cinnamon, with your
physician.
Moderate amounts of cinnamon should be healthy but it would be prudent to avoid cassia cinnamon because of the increased health risks involved with higher
levels of coumarins. This is another instance when it is important to read labels. Unfortunately we don’t always know what kind of cinnamon is used in
commercially prepared foods. It would probably be a safe bet that cinnamon in commercially prepared foods is cassia because it is cheaper than
Ceylon.
To your good health and better living,
Clem