Several spices used in Indian dishes are beneficial to health in many ways. Those can be garlic, turmeric, ginger, pepper, cinnamon and many more.
A new study from Ball State University concludes that a spoonful of cinnamon powder used with food can reduce blood sugar for 2 hours.
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| English: Cinnamon (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
The Ball State researcher found that volunteers who took 6 grams of cinnamon along with their breakfast, got reduced blood sugar by 25% for next two hours; who were either obese or non-diabetics.
Chezem's study involved 37 participants and confirms that in both healthy-weight and obese adults, cinnamon reduced blood glucose concentration and enhanced insulin sensitivity, strengthening the body's ability to ward off diabetes.
Cinnamon can be added to a wide variety of foods. Some ideas include yogurt, iced coffees and teas, fruit smoothies, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, fruit, pastries, ice cream, egg nog and muffins. They used 6 grams or about 2 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon in this study; and the taste was also acceptable.
In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in
June 2007, researchers found that rice pudding seasoned with 6 grams of
cinnamon significantly reduced the subsequent rise in blood sugar after
eating.
One study published in 2009 found that cinnamon taken twice a day for 90
days improved glycosylated haemoglobin level; a reflection of average blood
sugar level for the past three months, in people with poorly
controlled type 2 diabetes (haemoglobin A1C levels greater than 7
percent).
Hydroxychalcone, an active ingredient in cinnamon increases insulin sensitivity to glucose, thereby facilitating
delivery of glucose into the cells where it can be either stored or metabolised.
Manganese found in cinnamon is useful in reducing blood sugar level. two spoonful of cinnamon can supply body about 1/3rd of daily requirement of manganese.
Additionally, certain compounds in cinnamon inhibit an enzyme that
inactivates insulin receptors, further improving cell's ability to
utilize circulating glucose.
Cinnamon is the 2nd highest ranked anti-oxidant rich spice with an
incredible ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity) score of 267,536.
Cinnamon has three major oils; cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate and cinnamyl alcohol. These oils have anti-inflammatory property.
Cinnamon is naturally attained from the inner bark of a specialized
family of trees with the genus name Cinnamomum. It is primarily grown in
South East Asia regions with Sri Lanka being the major producer at
80-90 percent of the world's supply.
It will improve blood sugar level in diabetics and pre-diabetics if, cinnamon is used to make spicy dishes. The drug used for diabetes may be reduced to some extent.
