Cinnamon a spice found in many kitchens around the world especially at Christmas time. Although it is used by Jewish people at Rosh Hashona (the Jewish New Year that falls in September each year). It has been found that this flavoursome spice has its uses for people who are Type 2 Diabetics and helps to control their Blood Sugar.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder, where the body is unable to control the Blood Sugar.

Insulin a hormone secreted by the Pancreas is essential in helping to control the Blood Sugar.

Some unfortunate people are resistant to Insulin so they have to very strictly adhere to a reduced fat intake in their diet. This is to minimise the possibility of Coronary Artery Disease.

If the body is resistant to Insulin, the Insulin deposits fat around the belly and in the blood vessels.

This is very common in people from Bangladesh and parts of India and Pakistan.

If you are ‘pear shaped’ eg big belly and small hips you should get yourself checked out for Diabetes as soon as possible.

What Are The Symptoms of Diabetes?

· Frequent passing of urine

· Feeling of unusual thirst

· Abnormal appetite

· A Feeling of ‘Unusual’ Tiredness

· Blurring of Vision

Psychological Aspects of Diabetes

Many patients who have been diagnosed with Diabetes just can’t believe they have the disease. This results in them not following their GP’s advice and treatment. So adjusting their diets doesn’t happen.

· The patient may suffer with depression

· A feeling of loneliness

· Becoming easily irritated

· Unable to sleep

Diabetics should have the following tests done once a year:

· Full vision test (Sugar Deposits in the eyes can cause blindness)

· Check up of the feet (Sugar Deposits can settle in the feet and cause gangrene)

· Complete check up of kidney function

· Blood pressure

· Check for Cholesterol in Blood

Diabetics come under 2 groups.

1. Type 1 are Insulin Dependent Diabetics

2. Type 2 are Age Onset Diabetics, these patients control their Diabetes with diet and don’t have to rely on insulin injections.

How Taking Cinnamon Can Help

In a recent survey in the USA, 60 Type 2 Diabetics were divided into four groups.

· Group 1 was given one gram of cinnamon per day

· Group 2 received three grams

· And Group 3 six grams

· Group 4 were given placebos.

Those who had been given cinnamon reduced their blood sugar by 18 –29%, their triglycerides by 23 –30% and their LDL cholesterol by 7-27% plus their total cholesterol by 12-26%.

The group that had been given placebos showed no change in their blood sugar.

So adding cinnamon to your daily diet will not only enhance the flavour of your food but could prove very helpful to your health.

Other Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon has been used for its medicinal properties for hundreds of years.

It has been found that cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces cholesterol and is also one of nature’s best blood sugar balancers.

In 2003 the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice published an animal study. This study was carried out on rats. They were given 300 mg of cinnamon per kilogram of body weight, daily for 3 weeks. The results showed they were able to absorb 17% more blood sugar per minute than rats not given the cinnamon.

Again using rats in another study they were fed a high fructose diet. Usually this would induce significant metabolic changes. But they were also fed some cinnamon. The result of this test was their glucose metabolism was improved so much there was no noticeable difference from the rats that didn’t receive the high fructose.

These studies seem to prove that cinnamon can lower your risk of developing diabetes.

For those who are already Diabetic, it can be an effective and affordable tool to help manage your condition.