Why Cinnamon for Diabetes Treatment is Among Most Simple, Effective Solutions

Cinnamon is indeed a powerful, health-boosting food. It’s been used for centuries in holistic medicines—for everything from the common cold to stomach disturbances. But more recent research shows that cinnamon health benefits aren’t merely restricted to protecting against the cold – cinnamon for diabetes treatment may actually be one of the most simple and effective of diabetes solutions.

Why Everyone Should Consider Using Cinnamon for Protection Against Diabetes

For a study, which was published in the Journal of Diabetic Medicine, a group of adults diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes were split into two different groups. The first group was given your run-of-the-mill insulin controlling pharmaceuticals, while the other group was given two grams of cinnamon every day. What the researchers found 12 weeks later was remarkable, to say the least.

The group who was given drugs from Big Pharma didn’t measure up to the cinnamon group. Those on the daily regimen of cinnamon experienced lower fasting glucose (blood sugar) levels than the other group and showed reduced body fat overall.

A British review of eight different studies also showed why everyone should be using cinnamon for diabetes, finding that every study agreed on cinnamon’s effectiveness in reducing fasting blood sugar levels and reducing blood sugar after a meal.

Another study, this one from the United States, found that 22 subjects monitored for blood sugar and body fat experienced positive results in both areas when supplementing with cinnamon. Cinnamon actually showed benefits in reducing overall body fat and increasing lean muscle mass.

How Cinnamon for Diabetes Treatment Works

Here is how cinnamon can positively affect your metabolism and help with diabetes:

• Cinnamon improves the sensitivity of insulin by slowing the emptying of your stomach following meals.
• Cinnamon enhances your antioxidant defenses. According to a study published in 2009, “Polyphenols from cinnamon could be of special interest in people who are overweight with impaired fasting glucose since they might act as both insulin sensitizers and antioxidants.”
• Glucose metabolism can be increased nearly 20-fold thanks to cinnamon. This increase greatly improves blood sugar regulation.
• Cinnamon acts as an insulin substitute and possesses “insulin-like effects” due to a bioactive compound.
• Proanthocyanidins in cinnamon could alter insulin-signaling activity in your fat cells.

As reported by us in the past, cinnamon has a wealth of other health benefits. Other benefits of cinnamon include:

• Reducing bad cholesterol
• Promoting cardiovascular health
• Preventing heart disease
• Treating arthritis
• Alleviating menstrual pain
• Reducing inflammation

Cinnamon: King for Regulating Blood Sugar – But Which Kind is Best?

Not all ‘cinnamons’ are created equal. The kind you find in your local grocery store may be able to reduce your blood sugar, but a more expensive variety could be even better.

Cassia cinnamon is the kind of cinnamon you likely have in your kitchen right now. It’s more abundant and is the type sold in most grocery stores. Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum zeylanicum ), however, is a milder cousin to Cassia, and may be safer to take in higher doses.

Ceylon comes from a small tree native to Sri Lanka, whereas Cassia cinnamon can come from China, Indonesia, and a handful of other countries. Cassia has a stronger, “hotter” flavor and is darker in color.

Ana Sortun, executive chef of Oleana restaurant in Cambridge, Mass. says Ceylon has “lighter, brighter citrus tones.”

One meta analysis on cinnamon published earlier this year in the journal Annals of Family Medicine found that cinnamon can lower blood sugar and cholesterol in humans significantly, but the type of cinnamon studied was ceylon, as opposed to the ‘safer’ cassia. The analysis included 10 studies and a total of 543 patients. Doses in the studies ranged from 120 milligrams a day to six grams.

Most of the research on the benefits of cinnamon has been conducted on the more common variety, Cassia. These studies have indicated the spice’s ability to reduce blood sugar moderately—about 3 to 5%. The only problem with this, some say, is in heavy doses Cassia cinnamon can be toxic to the liver in people who are sensitive.

Cassia cinnamon has high levels of something called courmarin. In a small group of sensitive people, this naturally occurring component has been known to cause reversible liver toxicity.

“So the warning is, for cinnamon lovers, is to be aware of excessive intake of cassia,” says Angela Ginn, a diabetes educator.

But, how much is “excessive”? The European Food Safety Authority recommends no more than one teaspoon a day for sensitive adults. But most people never consume that much. However, if you are seeking the medical benefits and want to be on the safe side, Ceylon offers an alternative.

Ceylon cinnamon can be purchased in specialty spice shops or online. While it is more expensive than Cassia cinnamon, it will not break the bank.

At Penzeys Spices, a reputable spice vendor, I found a 1.6 oz. jar of ground Ceylon for less than $8.

Even if your blood sugar is normal, you may enjoy experimenting with this milder form of the popular spice.

Add a stick to your tea or sprinkle some ground cinnamon on your meals. It’s a versatile spice with a variety of worthwhile benefits. You may also consider a cinnamon supplement.

In addition to cinnamon helping manage diabetes, there has also been a connection made between turmeric and diabetes, magnesium, foods rich in vitamin K, and oil from wild almond trees known as sterculia foetida.