Adding cinnamon to your diet can ward off the threat of type 2 diabetes, a new study suggests.
The finding adds to an encouraging body of evidence that points to the blood sugar-lowering benefits of the aromatic spice.
Researchers found that ingesting a daily supplement of cinnamon lowered abnormally high blood sugar levels in prediabetics over the course of two weeks.
Eighteen participants who were overweight or obese were recruited for the randomised, double-blind trial (where neither the researchers nor the patients know what they are getting).
Cinnamon has been shown to lower blood sugar levels
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After two weeks of a low polyphenol “beige” diet consisting of simple carbohydrates and no cinnamon, half of the participants consumed daily supplements totaling four grams of cinnamon, while the placebo group took the carbohydrate maltodextrin for four weeks.
This was followed by a two-week “wash out” phase where no pills were taken before swapping groups.
The researchers — using continuous glucose monitoring devices to measure participant’s blood every 15 minutes — found that those consuming cinnamon had lower blood glucose levels and peaks than those who took the placebo.
However, the oral glucose tolerance tests — which use blood samples drawn after fasting, after consuming cola, and again after taking either the cinnamon or placebo pills at four different instances during the trial — yielded no difference between the two groups, likely due to the continuous monitoring being more sensitive, the study authors add.
It follows previous research that suggested cinnamon can help to improve blood glucose levels and increase insulin sensitivity, both of which are crucial to staving off the development of diabetes and helping to manage the condition.
Results from a clinical study published in the Diabetes Care journal suggest that cassia cinnamon (cinnamon bark) improves blood glucose and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes, and may reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Another analysis published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that six grams of cinnamon slows stomach emptying and significantly reduces blood sugar spikes after meals.
What might explain this effect?
Many health experts claim that the "sweet but pungent" spice contains properties that are beneficial for blood sugar regulation and treatment of type 2 diabetes, Diabetes UK says.
Blurred vision is a sign of diabetes
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However, bear in mind that like many natural compounds cinnamon is yet to be medically approved for prevention or treatment of any disease," the health body adds.
Type 2 diabetes - how to spot itMany people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because they may not always notice any symptoms.
According to the NHS, symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include:
- Peeing more than usual
- Feeling thirsty all the time
- Feeling very tired
- Losing weight without trying to
- Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- Blurred vision.
The health body advises seeing a GP if you have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes or you're worried you may have a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.