Renowned for its warm fragrance and spicy flavor, the bark of the cinnamon plant has been used for hundreds of years as both a seasoning and medicine. In modern naturopathic medicine, practitioners regard cinnamon as a natural treatment for chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. Although there is only limited evidence to support the use of cinnamon bark supplements, these products may be a helpful addition to a healthy lifestyle. Consult a physician or dietitian before using cinnamon bark supplements, particularly if you have a medical condition.
Nutrition
Cinnamon bark is associated with several important nutritional benefits. NutritionData regards cinnamon as a source of micronutrients such as vitamin K and iron, and also as a source of calcium, manganese and dietary fiber. Cinnamon is naturally low in fat and sugar, and Mayo Clinic cardiologist Thomas Behrenbeck acknowledges its ability to add flavor and zest to food without increasing its sugar, fat or calorie content.
Antioxidant Effects
Many of cinnamon bark's nutritional and medicinal benefits relate to its potent antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants are compounds that protect living cells against the damage associated with free radicals-- highly reactive oxygen molecules produced in response to pollution, poor diet, cigarette smoke and stress. One study, published in 2009 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, demonstrated that overweight people experienced less free radical damage while taking cinnamon supplements. By blocking the effects of free radicals, antioxidants such as cinnamon may help to prevent cardiovascular disease and certain forms of cancer.
Diabetes Management
Cinnamon is used in naturopathy to treat type 2 diabetes, a potentially serious medical condition which can cause dangerously high levels of glucose, or sugar, in the bloodstream. In 2003, the American Diabetes Association published the findings of a small-scale study, which determined that daily doses of 1 to 6g of cinnamon can help to reduce blood glucose levels. These findings were encouraging but inconclusive; more clinical trials are needed to prove cinnamon's efficacy as an alternative or complementary treatment for diabetes.
Cholesterol Reduction
The American Diabetes Association says that diabetic patients taking cinnamon experienced reductions in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while those taking a placebo did not experience these effects. Behrenbeck regards cinnamon as a feasible but unproven treatment for high cholesterol; he notes that large doses may interfere with the body's processing of fat, leading to modest decreases in cholesterol. However, Behrenbeck considers lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and smoke-free home, to be the most effective treatments for elevated cholesterol levels.
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