The Facts About Cinnamon for Diabetes
Diabetes is an epidemic! Over the years, there have been many suggestions that certain herbs and spices can help with the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.
Cinnamon is one of those spices.
There are two types of cinnamon – Ceylon cinnamon (which can be found in South America, the West Indies and Southeast Asia), and Cassia cinnamon (which grows in Central America, Indonesia and China). Almost all of the studies concerning blood sugar levels, other health benefits and cinnamon, have been done with Cassia Cinnamon.
If you’re like me, then you are most likely forever looking for more natural ways to help control your diabetes. I’ve found personally that is does help lower my sugar levels significantly, just a teaspoon a day!
Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices recorded and research has shown that it does have many significant health benefits.
Health benefits of cinnamon for Diabetes
- Cinnamon for diabetes, can improve your blood sugar regulation by increasing your glucose metabolism.
- It can help to reduce those sharp increases in blood sugar levels after eating, as it slows down the emptying of the stomach.
- Cinnamon improves the effectiveness of insulin.
- It is known to help with the digestive functions.
- Helps to prevent tooth decay, and associated gum diseases
- Assists in keeping those LCL (Bad) cholesterol levels under control, in type 2.
- Helps with keeping blood pressure at manageable levels
Yes, just a half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day in your diet, can significantly help with your blood glucose control. You must also keep in mind: to have any benefit you must be combining it with a proper diabetic diet plan, exercise program and working closely with your Diabetes Management Team.
Cooking with Cinnamon for Diabetes
I find I tend to use cinnamon a great deal when I cook, it really adds heaps of flavor and is a great alternative to using heaps of butter, or salt to flavor your food. Why not try out a couple of my favorite recipes, I’m a real choc-a-holic and this mousse is just to die for!
Chocolate Mousse
What You’ll Need
- 4 or 5 avocados, (depending on the size)
- About ¾ cup of organic honey (or you can also use agave nectar)
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ½ a cup of cacao powder.
What to do
Remove the flesh of the avo as you normally would. Puree all the ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy. Serve in a fancy glass topped with a few blueberries or kiwi fruit (or what ever you prefer)
Another one of my favorites is these little balls of goodness I call Power Balls. Great little snacks for between meals, and you can always change around what you put in them, depending on what you have in the cupboard.
Power Balls
What you’ll need
- Carrot pulp from 3 or 4 medium sized carrots (I juice mine, and save the pulp)
- 1 Cup of nuts (can be walnuts, brazil nuts, almonds, macadamias – whatever you have) Small handful of coconut (I use shredded, but you could use desiccated)
- ¼ cup of organic honey, or agave nectar. Large sprinkle of Chia seeds.
- Small amount of dates, Goji berries, Cranberries, dried apple,
- 1 teasp Cinnamon
- 1 teasp Ground ginger
What to do
Grind the nuts in a food processor. Add all other ingredients and mix in food processor. (sometimes I just chop by hand, gives more texture to the balls) Squeeze together into tight little balls and refrigerate before eating.
So you can see there are lots of easy ways to incorporate cinnamon into your diet. Sprinkle it on toast, or on your morning cereal, even mix into your coffee or tea. It’s definitely a plus, to use Cinnamon for diabetes and it tastes great too!
Check out some more recipes!