***The Health Benefits of Cinnamon

If the word cinnamon conjures up the mouth-watering spicy smell that wafts through the air when cinnamon rolls are in the oven, then you may be thrilled to know that cinnamon has been found to have a number of health benefits! The US Department of Agriculture recently published their findings which showed a beneficial link between cinnamon intake and the reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease. According to this new research, participants in the study found that taking cinnamon, which is high in antioxidants, decreased glucose levels in the blood as well as reducing oxidative stress. The study was performed on obese patients who were evaluated as “pre-diabetic” based on their cell response to insulin. Pre-diabetes is a condition where cells are resistant to the higher-than-normal levels of insulin produced by the pancreas in an attempt to help remove elevated glucose levels from blood. As part of normal digestive body function the body creates insulin which these cells would accept, but in pre-diabetes the cells show signs of rejecting the insulin. If not quickly addressed, full-blown diabetes can quickly develop from pre-diabetes. The study gave half the pre-diabetic participants a placebo and the other half received 250mg of dried water-soluble cinnamon extract twice a day for 12 weeks. Water-soluble cinnamon extract is known to be high in antioxidants and helps to decrease glucose levels in the blood. The results of the tests showed that those taking the cinnamon daily had up to a 23% increase in antioxidant levels compared to the placebo group. The study reiterated that cinnamon may be an effective natural alte ative for treating pre-diabetes, possibly preventing the onset of full diabetes. Cinnamon is also effective in activating essential enzymes in the body. Cinnamon bark contains a host of essential vitamins and minerals including calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, B1, B2, and C, many of which are important for the prevention or treatment of diabetes. Other similar studies have shown that cinnamon also plays an important role in maintaining natural energy levels in the body and helps maintain a healthy circulation. In their book Reverse Heart Disease Now: Stop Deadly Cardiovascular Plaque Before It's Too Late, Stephen Sinatra M.D. and James C. Roberts M.D state that “Recent studies show that cinnamon stimulates circulation and boosts the ability of insulin to metabolize glucose and carry it into cells for energy production”. However, doctors continue to stress that the main way to improve blood glucose levels is by weight loss, which unfortunately means easing up on the cinnamon roll intake too!