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A sweet spice has been shown to provide a one-two punch for diabetes and high cholesterol.
The finding is encouraging because the two conditions often go hand in hand. Diabetes damages the lining of your blood vessels. This means that cholesterol is more likely to stick to them, causing them to narrow or become blocked.
If you have diabetes, you usually have low HDL (good) cholesterol and high LDL/HDL cholesterol.
This is the “bad” type, which increases the risk of heart disease.
Taking just one, three or six grams a day can lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels
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Very good flavor
A study of 60 middle-aged Britons in the magazine Diabetes care Cinnamon has been found to improve blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
The participants were divided into three groups and given one (half a teaspoon) three or six grams of cinnamon per day.
Another three groups were given placebo capsules equivalent to the number of capsules consumed for the three levels of cinnamon.
The cinnamon was eaten for 40 days. This was followed by a 20-day “washout” period in which no pills were taken.
The researchers found that cinnamon reduced cholesterol by 18 percent and blood sugar by 24 percent.
They concluded that “incorporating” cinnamon into the diet of people with type 2 diabetes reduced the risks associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Other studies support this conclusion.
Researchers found Eating cinnamon daily reduced abnormally high blood sugar levels in pre-diabetics within two weeks.
Another study mentioned in Journal of Agricultural ResearchEating just one gram of cinnamon per day has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and help control or reverse type 2 diabetes.
Also published in 2007 analysis American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Six grams of cinnamon can reduce constipation and significantly lower blood sugar levels after a meal.
Research shows that six grams of cinnamon can reduce emptying of the stomach
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In addition to that, 2019 Research Review Cinnamon has been shown to help lower fasting blood glucose levels.
Editor’s take
It should be noted that more studies are needed to confirm these results.
As with many natural compounds, it is important to “recognize” that cinnamon is medically approved for the prevention or treatment of any disease, says Diabetes UK.
The literature suggests that cinnamon shows promise in treating diabetes.
So it can be added to your diet tool, but check with your doctor or health care team first.
Visible signs
Many people have type 2 diabetes without knowing it. This is because you may not always see any symptoms.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include:
- Scratching more than usual
- Always feeling thirsty
- Feeling very tired
- Lose weight without trying
- Itching around your penis or vulva, or frequent hives
- Wounds or wounds take longer to heal
- Blurred vision