Is Cinnamon Safe for Diabetes

Can the cinnamon in a piece of apple pie lower blood glucose levels? Well, maybe apple pie is not the healthiest food for diabetics, but cinnamon for diabetes, may turn out to be an excellent way to help control blood sugar.

That wonderful all-American dessert, apple pie, in a recent scientific study, had a very interesting effect on the blood sugar of diabetic participants. The diabetic subjects who ate the pie showed significant improvements in their blood glucose levels. As scientists followed the trail to find out what the active ingredient was, they discovered it was cinnamon. So, cinnamon and diabetes are linked by these surprising results.

In another study, it was found that as little as ¼ teaspoon (4 – 500 milligram capsules) of cinnamon each day can reduce blood sugar significantly. The test subjects took 2 to 6 grams of cinnamon per day. Nearly all of these people with diabetes showed substantial improvement. Cinnamon and diabetes were connected clearly in this study because it was also found that when the treatment was stopped, volunteers’ blood sugar levels started to rise again.

People who exhibit diabetic symptoms are either unable to use insulin correctly (insulin resistance) or the pancreas produces insufficient amounts. The newly discovered compounds in cinnamon activate essential enzymes in the body, thus stimulating the receptors in the cells so that they respond more efficiently to insulin. This helps to process glucose in the blood and to remove excessive amounts. More great news about cinnamon and diabetes is that the new compounds inhibit enzymes found to deactivate insulin receptors (which cause insulin resistance).

There’s even more good news concerning cinnamon and diabetes. It has a number of polyphenols, which act as powerful antioxidants to prevent free radicals from developing in the body. People with diabetes, seem to have more of a problem with these free radicals than other people. The cinnamon compounds are also anti-inflammatory and can help to prevent cancer.

How to Use Cinnamon for Diabetes and Information about Toxins

This sweet tasty spice can be added to foods and beverages such as coffee, tea and breakfast cereal. It tastes great on cereal, in apple and pumpkin dishes including puddings and in applesauce.

But, are there toxins found in cinnamon that may not be good for you? Yes, there are, but when taken in the small amounts recommended here, any toxins should not have an appreciable affect on your body. If you are concerned, you can make a liquid concentrate with hot water. Then pour off the oils on the top and leave the gel substance in the bottom where the toxins are found. Use small portions of this liquid spice in tea, on cereal or in other drinks.

In beverages, cinnamon tastes good in many beverages or coffee, but my favorite way to get my daily cinnamon for diabetes is to use it in hot chocolate or tea. I add about ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cinnamon to a cup of hot water along with 1 or 2 teaspoons of plain cocoa (high in polyphenols, good for your body) or a tea bag. Stir well and add your favorite non-nutritive sweetener (I like to use Xylitol). This is one of the best breakfast beverages I’ve ever had. You can add a little milk or soy milk to it if you like….Enjoy!