Cinnamon Can Help Control Your Blood Sugar

by Dr. Joseph Mercola

A Swedish research team has again confirmed previous studies from 2000 and 2004, showing the positive effect of cinnamon in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: LINK

This new study found a meaningful decrease in blood sugar in patients who consumed 6 grams of cinnamon with their rice pudding, versus those who ate their pudding without cinnamon.

They were also seeking to find whether cinnamon had any effect on satiety, but the results were negligible at best.

Cinnamon has previously been indicated as a potential insulin substitute for those with type 2 diabetes -- researchers have found that cinnamon contains a bioactive component with "insulin-like" effects.

It has also been determined that this inexpensive spice increases glucose metabolism 20-fold.

Some additional background information:

Previous studies found that half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day significantly reduces blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It also reduces triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels among this group.

Cinnamon's other benefits include:

• Supporting digestive function;
• Relieving congestion
• Relieving pain and stiffness of muscles and joints
• Anti-inflammatory compounds that may relieve arthritis
• Helping to prevent urinary tract infections, tooth decay and gum disease
• It's a powerful anti-microbial agent that can kill E. coli and other bacteria

Cinnamon is an incredibly inexpensive and, not to mention, great tasting tool for diabetics and the likelihood of this food causing any long-term complications is very small. But although this is wonderful news well worthy of repeating, you should remember that simply adding cinnamon to your diet will not "cure" you of diabetes.

The really great news is that virtually anyone with type 2 diabetes can be permanently "cured" of this disease and horrible premature disability and death by committing to a nutritionally typed appropriate diet and exercise program. This is important to understand because what nearly all conventionally trained physicians are teaching their patients about diabetes is actually killing them.

The best route to cure diabetes (as well as prevention of it) is to avoid foods that increase insulin, meaning limiting your intake of grains and sugars. In addition, you should be sure to get daily exercise to improve insulin sensitivity.

So go ahead and have your cinnamon, it is one of my favourite spices, but don't for a second believe that it is the final solution for diabetes. If you do you will be just as deluded as the patients taking oral hypoglycemics and believing they are "controlling" their diabetes.

Become a member of The Canadian, with your donation-pledge. Help support independent, progressive, and not-for-profit journalism.