Cinnamon is a naturally sweet but sugar-free spice that comes from the bark of wild cinnamon trees. Studies suggest that it offers a lot of benefits for people with diabetes.

cinnamon diabetes

1. Cinnamon lowers blood pressure

Studies show that cinnamon in your diet is linked to lower blood pressure. At least in the short term.

2. Cinnamon lowers blood glucose levels and increases insulin sensitivity

Cinnamon works directly on muscle cells. It forces them to remove glucose from the blood. As this study explains.

3. Cinnamon lowers “bad” cholesterol

Cholesterol is complex. Put simply, there are two kinds of cholesterol. There’s “bad” cholesterol and “good” cholesterol. Bad cholesterol – known as LDL cholesterol – is the stuff that clogs up your arteries. Good cholesterol – known as HDL cholesterol – clears out LDL cholesterol.

Research suggests that cinnamon lowers LDL cholesterol and raises HDL cholesterol.

High cholesterol levels mean a higher risk of heart disease, one of the most common complications of diabetes. People with diabetes need to be extra careful when it comes to keeping their heart healthy.

Take a look at this study for more on cinnamon and cholesterol.

4. Cinnamon can treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is closely linked to diabetes. Some scientists think it should be known as “type 3 diabetes.” That’s because high blood glucose levels on the brain.

Research suggests that cinnamon helps neurons and improves motor function in people who have Alzheimer’s.

There are several interesting studies on the subject. You can read a couple here and here.

5. Cinnamon has some cancer-preventing properties

It’s only been shown in animal studies, but it seems that cinnamon has anti-carcinogenic properties. This is good news for people with diabetes, who have a higher risk of some types of cancer.

Learn more here, here, here, here, and here.

6. Cinnamon reduces inflammation

There are two kinds of inflammation. One of them is systemic inflammation. Evidence shows that systemic inflammation contributes to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Research shows that including cinnamon in a regular diet can significantly reduce systemic inflammation.

Learn more here.

7. Cinnamon helps the pain from arthritis

The other kind of inflammation is called specific inflammation. It causes headaches and arthritis pain. There are close links between diabetes and arthritis.

Learn more here.

In the shop

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