Cinnamon for Diabetes: A Heady Spice to Control Your Blood Sugar
by Emily Modestino
Introduction
Cinnamon owing to its dominant, robust flavor is a popular spice used for flavoring various delicacies as well as drinks. Besides, this aromatic spice also finds its use in medicine. It has potent properties that make it quite useful in controlling diabetes, a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is a serious condition which if not adequately controlled can affect the health of your heart, kidney and can even cause nerve damage. You can take medications and insulin injection to manage it. However, if you are looking for some natural remedies, then cinnamon can be of help.
What is cinnamon?
Cinnamon is a sweet cum hot spice obtained from the bark of Cinnamomum trees. It has a pleasant and warm aroma and is widely used for flavoring various recipes. Besides, it has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which make it an excellent natural way to cure diabetes mellitus.
Types of Cinnamon
- Cassia
- Ceylon
How does cinnamon help combat diabetes?
Cinnamon is known to provide various health benefits and works like a magic spice for those who have diabetes. Read below to learn why you should include cinnamon in your diet to fight diabetes.
1. Cinnamon can mimic insulin and increase your body’s sensitivity towards it
Insulin is a crucial hormone in your body that manages your blood sugar levels. Those who have diabetes either have low insulin production or their body is not able to respond appropriately to insulin secretion. Both the factors lead to the rise in sugar levels in your body. In such a case, cinnamon can help you out for reducing blood sugar. It can mimic the work of insulin, thus increasing the absorption of glucose by the cells. Further, it also boosts the sensitivity of the cells of your body towards insulin thus increasing the transport of glucose into the cells. When glucose gets adequately used up your cells, your blood sugar level remains steady.
2. Cinnamon can lower blood sugar level after meals
There can be a dramatic rise in your blood glucose levels after you have your meal depending on the carbs consumed. This instant spike in the blood sugar level can be alarming especially for those who have diabetes. It is because the fluctuations in the blood sugar level can increase the oxidative stress and inflammation that can damage the cells of your body, thus increasing the risk of chronic diseases. Researchers claim that consuming cinnamon whether as whole or in extract form can significantly bring down the blood sugar levels — the miraculous spice aids in blocking digestive enzymes and slowing down the stomach emptying process.
3. Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants that effectively help fight diabetes
Cinnamon brims with antioxidants that make it great for your health and well-being. It comes second after cloves for containing maximum antioxidants. These active compounds present in cinnamon are useful for people who have diabetes as they help reduce the oxidative stress in your body by combating the free radicals that cause much damage to your body’s cells. The oxidative stress is directly related to the development of chronic diseases including type-2 diabetes.
4. Cinnamon also reduces the risk of other diseases associated with diabetes
Cinnamon is a wondrous spice that not only helps manage the blood sugar level in those who have diabetes but also lowers down the risk of other complications arising out of the disease. People with diabetes are more vulnerable to developing heart diseases, but consuming cinnamon can help prevent it. It is because it is rich in antioxidants and reduces inflammation that may strain your heart. It also helps in lowering the bad cholesterol levels and triglycerides that contribute to heart disease; and increases good cholesterol levels in your body. Further, the spice is known to regulate the blood sugar level by lowering the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Also, it contains a compound known as Cinnamaldehyde that dilates blood vessels, thus easing the high blood pressure.
Too high sugar levels can damage your brain also. Diabetes can affect your nerve cells increasing the risk of conditions like Alzheimer’s. Studies state that cinnamon can restrict the activity of tau proteins and beta-amyloid that can form plaques in the nerves resulting in the development of Alzheimer’s.
The best way to use Cinnamon for managing diabetes
You can include cinnamon in various recipes and enjoy its amazing flavor and aroma along with numerous health benefits including healthy blood sugar levels. You can make cinnamon tea or add it to your dishes, drinks or desserts. However, the best way to use cinnamon for controlling your diabetes is to take a supplement early morning with food. You will find a noticeable difference in your blood sugar levels over regular consumption.
Too much cinnamon can create trouble for you
Cinnamon does efficiently manage your blood sugar level, but over-consumption of it can be dangerous. It is known to contain a harmful substance known as coumarin which has a toxic effect on your liver. Thus, excessive consumption of cinnamon can damage your liver. So you must consume it in moderate amount. On an average, one can take anywhere between one to six grams of cinnamon a day. Cassia cinnamon is known to contain more coumarin as compared to Ceylon. Also, people already on medications for diabetes must consult their doctor before adding cinnamon for diabetes management as it can further lower down the blood sugar level.
Cinnamon is known to effectively manage your blood sugar levels and prevent the risk of other complications associated with it. Thus, it is a wonderful spice for people who have diabetes. Include it in your diet and follow a healthy lifestyle to combat the condition and live a happy unrestricted life.
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- Author Bio
Emylee Modestino is a passionate blogger at www.howtocure.com with an endless enthusiasm for bringing a bunch of useful information to communities. Her favorite areas of interest include quality healthcare, natural health, fitness, and food. Her articles have the capability to condense even the complicated health issues through easily resolvable home remedies and cure.