Glucose is an important energy source that travels in your blood to supply your tissues and organs. However, when blood glucose is higher than normal for extended periods of time, it can cause release of large amounts of insulin, the hormone that regulates glucose. This may raise your risk of developing diabetes, a disorder that can be serious. Cinnamon is a natural remedy that may help keep your blood glucose in a healthy range. Discuss its use with your doctor to determine if it is appropriate for you.
Cinnamon
The familiar spice cinnamon comes from the bark of several trees, all members of the genus Cinnamomum, that grow in tropical Asia. The bark contains an essential oil with medicinal properties. Practitioners of traditional medicine recommend cinnamon for a number of complaints, including inflammation, indigestion, infection and lack of appetite.
Properties
The oil in cinnamon bark contains several natural compounds, including cinnamaldehyde, eugenol and a form of cinnamic acid. These natural chemicals have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and may boost your immune system, helping you fight off infection. One or more of these compounds may also help regulate blood glucose by mimicking the action of insulin. According to a laboratory study published in 2001 in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," a compound isolated from cinnamon called hydroxychalcone mimics the action of insulin by binding to its receptor, reducing glucose production.
Human Research
A number of clinical trials have examined the effect of cinnamon on blood glucose. In one study of subjects with Type 2 diabetes, published in 2003 in "Diabetes Care," those who took cinnamon daily experienced a drop in blood glucose as well as lowered blood levels of cholesterol compared to others who took a placebo. In a large review of eight studies of cinnamon for glucose reduction, published in 2011 in the "Journal of Medicinal Food," the authors concluded that cinnamon effectively reduces blood glucose when consumed regularly.
Recommendations
Cinnamon is available as a spice from food stores or as a supplement in capsules from health food stores. Although generally considered safe, it may cause mouth irritation or an allergic reaction in some people. Cinnamon may interact with some medications, including blood thinners and diabetes medicines. Do not take cinnamon if you have a hormone sensitive disorder, since it may have some estrogenic activity. Discuss cinnamon with your doctor before making it part of your regular regimen.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Diabetes
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Cinnamon
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; A Hydroxychalcone Derived from Cinnamon Functions as a Mimetic for Insulin...; K. Jarvill-Taylor et al.; August 2001
- "Diabetes Care"; Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People with Type 2 Diabetes; A. Khan et al.; December 2003
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; Cinnamon Intake Lowers Fasting Blood Glucose...; P. Davis and W. Yokoyama; April 2011
