Cinnamon is a spice that makes every taste nice, so the saying goes. Cinnamon also helps in reducing blood pressure and blood sugar levels, improving your cardiovascular health and lowering the risk of diabetic complications. Cinnamon contains volatile oils, phenolic compounds, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes and has medicinal properties as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and immune-modulatory product. Consult your doctor about your diet and the benefits of cinnamon.
Blood Pressure in Animals
Cinnamon reduces blood pressure in animals. Scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC found that cinnamon reduces systolic blood pressure in rats with high blood systolic pressure, according to research published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" in April 2006. The results demonstrate that increasing the dose of cinnamon has greater effects on reducing systolic blood pressure. The scientists also found that cinnamon reduced the blood levels of insulin in rats fed sugar-containing diets.
Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar in Humans
Cinnamon also reduces blood pressure and blood sugar in humans. Scientists at Thames Valley University in London, England found that 2 g of cinnamon for 12 weeks significantly reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure and blood sugar in Type 2 diabetics with high blood pressure, according to research published in "Diabetic Medicine" in October 2010. The results also demonstrate 2 g of cinnamon reduces HbA1c. Glycosylated hemoglobin, also called HbA1c, is a substance in your blood that indicates blood sugar levels over the past six to 12 weeks. Individuals taking cinnamon also had a reduction in waist circumference.
Blood Sugar and Cholesterol in Humans
Diabetics have an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Increasing your intake of cinnamon reduces blood sugar and lowers cardiovascular risk factors. Consumption of between 1 and 6 g of cinnamon per day among Type 2 diabetics reduces blood sugar, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, according to research by scientists at Agricultural University in Peshawar, Pakistan and published in "Diabetes Care" in December 2003. LDL cholesterol is the type of cholesterol that increases risk of cardiovascular disease.
Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of high blood pressure, elevated insulin, high cholesterol and expanded waistline that occur together and increase your risk of diabetes, stroke and heart. Eating cinnamon reduces your risk of metabolic syndrome. Scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, Maryland report that cinnamon may be effective in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome, according to research published in the "Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology" in May 2010. The scientists evaluated results from in vitro, animal and human studies involving cinnamon.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Cinnamon; May 25 2011
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Whole Cinnamon and Aqueous Extracts Ameliorate Sucrose-Induced Blood Pressure Elevations in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats; Harry Preuss, et al.; April 2006
- "Diabetic Medicine"; Glycated Haemoglobin and Blood Pressure-Lowering Effect of Cinnamon in Multi-Ethnic Type 2 Diabetic Patients in the Uk: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial; R. Akilen, et al.; October 2010
- Cleveland Clinic; Glycolated Hemoglobin Test (Hba1c) for Diabetes; 2010
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse; Diabetes; November 2008
- "Diabetes Care"; Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People with Type 2 Diabetes; Alam Khan, et al.; December 2003
