Can Cinnamon Help Me Control My Blood Sugar?

Many people have heard information in the news lately about the benefits of cinnamon for those who have disorders linked to insulin resistance. So what's all the hype about?

As hard as it may be to believe, it all started out with apple pie! A group of researchers were looking at the effects of common foods on blood sugar. When testing apple pie (which was naturally spiced with cinnamon), the researchers expected an increase in blood sugar. Surprisingly, they saw a decrease.

This led the researchers to conduct a study in 2003 examining the effects of cinnamon supplementation in non-insulin dependant diabetics. They found that cinnamon not only helped the diabetics lower their fasting blood sugar, but also decreased their cholesterol. It appears a compound in cinnamon is able to mimic insulin in the body, and also increase the body's own natural insulin production, allowing more glucose to be pulled out of the blood stream and into the cells. Since this initial study, researchers have continued to add more evidence that cinnamon improves blood sugar control, insulin resistance, and cholesterol levels in diabetics.

Does this mean you should start taking cinnamon? Cinnamon has started showing up in natural products and many supplements. If you are already taking supplements or medications to help with insulin resistance, you will want to talk to your doctor before adding cinnamon to your regime. Cinnamon can add to the blood sugar lowering effects of your other medications. In combination with exercise, proper diet, and other natural measures, cinnamon may prove to be an important piece of the blood sugar control puzzle.

Khara Lucius, ND