Cinnamon For Diabetes Is A Preventative Wand Against Sugar Spikes!
Cinnamon, the antioxidant powerhouse, and the sweet touch to your food may help you control diabetes.
Uncontrollable sugar spikes are a major health concern for diabetics as it raises the risk of heart disease, kidney failure, or nerve damage.
Ultimately, a diabetic needs to pick food wisely.
Whether you are on the verge of developing diabetes or suffering from it already, cinnamon for diabetes is a delightful alternative to sugar and a healthy replacement for ‘white poison’.
Although research on the health benefits of cinnamon for diabetes is preliminary, the nutrient bombs the sweet sticks are, and there’s no harm in trying it out.
After in-depth research on cinnamon’s benefits for diabetes, we have figured top 4 ways it may help you manage your blood sugar levels.
1. Rich In Antioxidants
Cinnamon is another amazing superfood that’s packed with a high amount of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.
According to a comparative study, when the antioxidant count of 26 herbs and spices was compared, cinnamon ranked second highest (the first being cloves).
Antioxidants protect cells against free radicals that cause oxidative damage. A study found that intake of cinnamon extracts for 12 weeks dropped oxidative stress marks (about 14%) in prediabetic adults. In fact, oxidative stress is one of the causes of the development of type-2 diabetes.
2. Improves Insulin Sensitivity
Diabetic people fail to produce adequate insulin or may not respond completely to insulin causing a spike in blood sugar levels.
Here’s when cinnamon comes into play:
a. It works by imitating insulin to boost glucose transport to cells.
b. It also helps you manage blood glucose levels by improving insulin sensitivity.
c. It handles the most absorption of glucose into cells.
3. Decreases Fasting Blood Sugar
Some controlled studies have found cinnamon to reduce fasting blood glucose levels. A review study involving 543 diabetic patients found that cinnamon can help with a decrease of more than 24mg/dL.
But, the effect of cinnamon on hemoglobin A1c-a mark of blood sugar control for a longer duration is unclear. Few studies report a prominent decrease in hemoglobin A1c while others found no effect.
Yet, it matters from person to person and the ways they keep their blood sugar in check.
4. Helps Manage Post-Meal Blood Sugar
If you take care of your meal sizes, and calorie consumption, cinnamon can help keep your blood sugar from a dramatic rise. As the sudden spikes can boost oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Which are damaging to cells and increase the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and more.
Cinnamon guards your body against abnormal sugar spikes after meals. Few studies back it up with the argument that cinnamon slows down the digestion process and keeps your stomach.
Other studies suggest that cinnamon may make it happen by inhibiting digestive enzymes that are responsible for breaking carbs in small intestines.
Which Type of Cinnamon Is Best For Diabetes?
The cinnamon stick is a sweet and aromatic spice derived from the Cinnamomum tree’s bark. You can find many varieties of cinnamon on the market, where the two most specific categories are:
- Cassia: inexpensive and used in most commercially available cinnamon food products.
- Ceylon: A little expensive, yet known as the ‘true cinnamon for its potent antioxidant power.
Ceylon is the most effective cinnamon for diabetes. It lowers blood sugar levels and controls symptoms of diabetes. The higher antioxidants prevent not only type-2 diabetes but heart disease and other health complications.
How Long Does It Take Cinnamon To Lower Blood Sugar?
Several studies have found cinnamon to immediately reduce blood sugar levels after its consumed. A study involving 7 men found that cinnamon immediately improves the body’s insulin sensitivity after it’s consumed, while the effects last for up to 12 hours.
How Much Cinnamon Should you Consume in a Day?
Cassia cinnamon, especially, is rich in antioxidants as well as a harmful substance named ‘coumarin’. Many rat studies have found coumarin to be damaging to the liver.
Thus, it’s recommended to take only about a half teaspoon of cassia cinnamon a day.
Ceylon cinnamon has a low amount of coumarin, so you can consume it in a higher amount.
Moreover, overconsumption of cinnamon can increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level).
Final Verdict
Cinnamon for diabetes is a sweet antidote. Its antioxidant power and ability to reduce blood sugar levels make it a go-to home remedy that every diabetic must try.
