Cinna-magic

by: AndreaDow
Total views: 461
Word Count: 354

Sunday, October 14th

Tis the season for hot apple cider, pumpkin bars and apple pie. I love fall and the foods that represent the season. One of my favorite fall spices is cinnamon. Have you heard about all of the wonderful benefits of this powerful spice? This week's blogs will be dedicated to 3 important spices that could turn your spice rack into a medicine cabinet!

According to NatrualHomRemedyCures.com there is good news for people with Diabetes. "Cinnamon supplementation of 1 gram per day resulted in a 30% reduction of blood glucose concentration levels."

Richard Anderson of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Diet, Genomics and Immunology Lab in Belleville, Maryland conducted a study were he gave 1 gram, 3 grams or 6 gram a day of ground cinnamon or a placebo to 60 Pakistanis with Diabetes. According to Nutrition Action writer, David Schardt, after 40 days of Anderson's study, those taking the placebo showed no changes in their blood glucose while those taking 1 gram of cinnamon per day lowered blood sugar by 25%, those taking 3 grams per day lowered sugars by 18% and the 6 gram per day group dropped 29%. Anderson did another study that demonstrated a 10% drop in blood sugar by 12 pre-diabetics taking 10 grams of cinnamon per day. Anderson also says that "high doses of cinnamon lower blood sugar levels in mice with diabetes."

How does cinnamon work its magic? The active ingredient polyphenol type-A polymer in cinnamon activates insulin receptors on cell membranes very similarly to insulin. If you are going to experiment with cinnamon for a long period of time, Anderson recommends that you "use a supplement made from a water extract of the spice." Other forms of cinnamon may contain coumarins which can actually thin the blood. Also check with your doctor if you want to take cinnamon as researchers are not sure of any possible drug interaction problems. As with any food substance being examined for medicinal benefit, more research needs to be done.

In the meantime, sprinkle some cinnamon on your oatmeal or pumpkin pie or shake some into your cider or cocoa!

Rating: Not yet rated