I LOVE CINNAMON!

I LOVE CINNAMON!!

     Cinnamon is not only good for sprinkling on cookies, cakes and coffee.  This spice also has medicinal value that are making people take notice.  This wonderful spice has a long time history that has been used to cure everything from athlete’s foot to indigestion.  It has been recognized for it’s ability to stop bacterial growth.
     Recent research indicated that cinnamon can have favorable effects on brain function.  Participants in a study chewed cinnamon gum or smelled the sweet spice.  Cognitive tests were conducted and revealed that subjects using cinnamon had better memory functions and could process information more quickly.
     Cinnamon is also being credited to have antiseptic power.  A Japanese study suggests it can not only soothe the stomach, it may even prevent ulcers.  German research indicated the spice “suppresses completely”  the bacteria that causes urinary tract infections and the fungus associated with yeast infections as well.
     Now the truly interesting research which is important to me because my husband has recently been diagnosed with Diabetes is that cinnamon has been discovered to lower blood glucose levels.  Recently  attention about cinnamon are the results of an accidental finding in Maryland USDA research center.  Scientists were testing the effects of various foods on blood sugar levels.  The effects of consuming good old apple pie, flavored with cinnamon was tested.  They expected the pie to have an adverse effect but instead found it actually helped lower blood glucose levels.  
     The researchers then tested it in a 60 patient study conducted in Pakistan.  All  the patients had been treated for type 2 Diabetes, adult onset diabetes for several years and taking anti-diabetic drugs to increase their insulin.  The subjects were given small doses of cinnamon ranging from as little as a quarter-teaspoon to less then 2 teaspoons a day for 40 days. 

THE RESULTS:  Not only did the cinnamon reduce their blood sugar levels and increase their natural production of insulin, it lowered their blood cholesterol as well.  Even 20 days after the cinnamon treatment  was completed, the patients continued to see beneficial effects in blood cholesterol levels were lowered in the range of 10 to 26 percent.  

     Now,  to discuss the correlation between cinnamon and weigh loss.  By addressing the elevated blood sugar levels  which cinnamon seams to help, and therefore, combating insulin resistance, this be a successful factor in helping you lose weight.  The fat cells in your abdominal area are particularly sensitive to high insulin levels, and are very effective in storing energy - far more so then fat cells you would find in other areas such as the lower body.  Because abdominal fat cells are so close to your digestive organs, and there is an extensive network of blood vessels circulating in the abdominal area, it s even easier for fat cells to store excess glucose there.
     All in all, I see there are numerous benefits from cinnamon.  I am now taking a cinnamon supplement everyday but do plan on adding the spice to more food items such as peanut butter and add it to my coffee for the extra boost.  I have always loved cinnamon but now understand how important it is to my everyday well being.