Cinnamon is a spice that many people love to use in their cooking. It has a sweet and warm flavor that goes well with many foods. But did you know that it may also help you manage your diabetes? Here are some ways that cinnamon may help you control your blood sugar and prevent diabetes problems.
Cinnamon may act like insulin
Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use the sugar (glucose) that you get from the food you eat. When you have diabetes, your body either does not make enough insulin or cannot use it well, which makes your blood sugar go too high. High blood sugar can harm your organs and cause other health issues.
Cinnamon may help you lower your blood sugar and fight diabetes by acting like insulin and helping the sugar move from your blood into your cells. It can also help your body respond better to insulin, which makes it easier for the sugar to get into your cells.
Cinnamon may slow down digestion
Another way that cinnamon may help you lower your blood sugar is by slowing down how fast your body digests carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates are foods that turn into sugar in your body, which raises your blood sugar after you eat. Cinnamon can help keep your stomach full longer and stop some of the enzymes that break down carbohydrates, which may prevent a big rise in blood sugar after a meal.
Cinnamon may prevent complications
Diabetes can cause many long-term problems, such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye problems. These problems are often related to oxidative stress, which is a type of damage to cells caused by harmful molecules called free radicals.
Cinnamon is full of antioxidants, which are substances that protect your cells from oxidative stress. Antioxidants can also reduce inflammation, which is another factor that contributes to diabetes problems. By taking cinnamon, you may lower your chance of getting these problems.
How to use cinnamon for diabetes
If you want to try cinnamon for diabetes, you should talk to your doctor first. Cinnamon is usually safe and easy to take, but it may interact with some medicines or cause allergic reactions in some people. Your doctor can tell you the right amount and kind of cinnamon for you.
There are two main kinds of cinnamon: Ceylon and Cassia. Ceylon cinnamon is also called true cinnamon and is more expensive and less common than Cassia cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon is the kind that you usually find in grocery stores and food products.
Both kinds of cinnamon have similar effects on blood sugar, but Cassia cinnamon has more coumarin, a substance that can be bad for your liver in large amounts. Therefore, you should limit how much Cassia cinnamon you take to no more than 1 teaspoon (5 grams) per day. Ceylon cinnamon has much less coumarin and is safer to take in larger amounts.
You can use cinnamon in different ways, such as:
Sprinkling it on rice, oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, or coffee
Adding it to smoothies, soups, sauces, or baked goods
Taking it as a supplement in capsules or liquid form
Summary
Cinnamon is a spice that may have some benefits for people with diabetes. It may help lower blood sugar levels by acting like insulin, slowing down digestion, and preventing complications. However, you should talk to your doctor before using cinnamon for diabetes and choose the right kind and amount for you.
Dr. Karuturi Subrahmanyam, MD, FRCP (London), FACP (USA)
Internal Medicine Specialist
Kify Hospital
Danavaipeta
Rajahmundry
Phone : 85000 23456
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