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Cinnamon 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 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.
This sweet tasty spice can
be added to foods and beverages such as coffee, tea and breakfast
cereal. It tastes great in apple and pumpkin dishes including puddings
and applesauce.
My favorite way to get my daily cinnamon for diabetes is to
use it in a beverage. 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). 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 to it
if you like....Enjoy!
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