Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known. It was mentioned in the Bible and was used in ancient Egypt not only as a beverage flavoring and medicine, but also as an embalming agent. It was so highly treasured that it was considered more precious than gold. Now, according to a 2003 study at Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland, cinnamon could help control blood sugar in diabetics & cholesterol.
Cinnamon also has anti-clotting actions , helps stop the growth of bacteria as well as fungi, including Candida and just smelling the wonderful odor of this sweet spice boosts brain activity! Cinnamon is also an "anti-inflammatory" food that can be helpful in lessening inflammation and may also provide relief from constipation or diarrhea, great news for sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome. It has been used to provide relief for cold or flu, especially when mixed in a tea with some fresh ginger. In Germany cinnamon is approved for improving appetite and relieving indigestion
But the best news is the link between cinnamon and diabetes. Don Graves, an adjunct professor of biochemistry at the University of California in Santa Barbara who has studied how cinnamon works in the body, says for type 2 diabetics, biochemically cinnamon "does much the same thing as insulin".
Cinnamon may help people with type 2 diabetes improve their ability to respond to insulin, and so normalising their blood sugar levels. Cinnamon stimulates insulin receptors, and also inhibits an enzyme that inactivates them, therefor greatly increasing he body's ability to use glucose. For type 2 diabetics, consuming half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day was found to reduce blood sugar, triglycerides, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and total cholesterol. Higher doses doesn't add any further benefit. If you have Type 2 diabetes, you should monitor your blood sugar carefully when adding cinnamon because the spice may intensify the effects of insulin medication - better yet, talk to your doctor first.
Here are five easy ways to use cinnamon every day:
- Enjoy healthy cinnamon toast - Drizzle flax seed oil onto whole wheat toast and then sprinkle with cinnamon and honey.
- Simmer cinnamon sticks with soymilk and honey for a deliciously warming beverage.
- Adding ground cinnamon to black beans to be used in burritos or nachos will give them a uniquely delicious taste.
- Sauté lamb with eggplant, raisins and cinnamon sticks to create a Middle Eastern inspired meal.
- Add ground cinnamon when preparing curries.
Just add a little to your cereal, porridge, fruit or toast at breakfast to start seeing results without side-effects - no need for supplements!
Lizette le Clus-Fox is an ardent advocate for a holistic approach to health and runs www.wellnessthoughts.com and her ezine Wellness Thoughts provides regular in-depth information. To learn more about holistic health visit her web site today!
Contact the author, Lizette Le Clus-Fox
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