Cinnamon is an ancient ayurvedic spice used for medical purposes. But is cinnamon good for diabetes? How To Use Cinnamon Powder For Diabetes? Let’s find out !
Cinnamon is an ayurvedic spice used for medical purposes and a common ingredient in every Indian kitchen. Cinnamon is usually known for its sweet, strong, and sharp taste. Cinnamon grows in tropical countries like Sri Lanka, China, Europe, and North America. But, questions like is cinnamon good for diabetes? How to take cinnamon for diabetes and when to eat it will be discussed in this article.
Contents:
Cinnamon: Nutritional Profile
100 grams of cinnamon contains the following:
| Total Fat: 3.19g |
| Saturated Fat: 0.65g |
| Trans Fat: 0.53g |
| Monounsaturated Fat: 0.48g |
| Cholesterol: 0mg |
| Sodium: 26mg |
| Total Carbohydrate: 79.85g |
| Dietary Fiber: 54.3g |
| Sugars: 2.17g |
| Protein: 3.89g |
| Calcium: 1228mg |
| Iron3: 8.07mg |
| Potassium: 500mg |
| Vitamin A: 14 mcg |
| Vitamin C: 28.5mg |
Cinnamon has a low glycemic index (GI) of 60 that helps in faster food breakdown. Lower GI also speeds up the release of glucose into the bloodstream. Cinnamon also contains loads of dietary fiber that helps in faster digestion. Altogether, this process helps control blood sugar spikes. 100 ml of cinnamon tea once everyday can prevent blood sugar spikes.
Advantages of Cinnamon for Diabetes
- Cinnamon is popular for its anti-diabetic compounds. Cinnamon powder for diabetes contains a low glycemic index that helps to lower sugar levels.
- It helps release insulin from the pancreas and helps to process glucose.
- Cinnamon reduces oxidative stress (that protects people from diabetes) as it is full of antioxidants.
- Cinnamon for diabetes is effective as it imitates insulin and increases its ability to move blood sugar in the cells.
- Cinnamon boosts the digestive system, which helps to eliminate excess sugar out of the system.
Ways to Consume Cinnamon in Diabetes
If you are wondering how to use cinnamon for diabetes, there are several delicious recipes that you can find. You can add a cinnamon stick or powder to boiling water.
- Cinnamon tea for diabetes: Add cinnamon powder to tea or coffee (while it is brewing); it adds a pleasant aroma to your beverage for an intoxicating taste.
- Indian food: Indian curries taste mesmerizing when you add some cinnamon powder or a cinnamon stick.
- Breakfast cereals, porridge, and pancakes: Cinnamon powder can rev up your breakfast cereal, porridge, or pancakes.
- Fruits: Add cinnamon to a bowl of fruits for a favorable taste.
- Desserts: Replace the sugar in desserts with the woody and sweet taste of cinnamon. Add it to halwa, cake, pie, doughnuts, kheer, or custard (if your doctor allows desserts).
- Beverages: Smoothies and shakes taste great with a pinch of cinnamon powder.
- Some people with diabetes may consume cinnamon pills.
How Much and How Frequently to Be Consumed?
- Experts suggest that taking 2-4 grams of cinnamon powder in diabetes is beneficial.
- If consuming a cinnamon stick, do not take more than a stick a day.
- As per experts, do not take cinnamon continuously. Take it for six weeks and take a break for a week or two.
- Maintain a food log and track the amount of cinnamon consumed each day. Cinnamon for diabetes control cannot replace diabetes medications.
Cinnamon: Risks of Overconsumption For Diabetes
2-4 grams of cinnamon is recommended for a diabetic everyday. Anything more than the required amount may cause liver damage, mouth sores and increased the risk of cancer. If taken excessively, cinnamon can interfere with liver, diabetes, and heart medications.
Other Health Benefits of Cinnamon For Diabetes
- Cinnamon is used for medicinal purposes as it has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
- It helps to reduce high blood pressure.
- Cinnamon bark oil treats digestive imbalance and flatulence. The powerful spice increases blood flow and oxygen levels to combat an illness.
- Some studies suggest that it can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
- Experts have seen cinnamon to help prevent multiple sclerosis.
Don’t Have Time To Read?
- Cinnamon is not full of vitamins or minerals. It is a rich source of antioxidants and antibacterial properties that help lower blood sugar levels.
- If you have diabetes, consume 1–2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder or stick to control your diabetes.
- If you have high sugar levels, consult your doctor before taking cinnamon in your diet. Overconsuming cinnamon may have an adverse impact.
- Use Phable Care App to consult India’s leading diabetologists, order medicines, book lab tests, integrate Accu-Chek instant and other devices to get real-time remote care from the comfort of your home. Let’s treat diabetes together.
Friendly Asked Questions
Yes, cinnamon treats diabetes as it imitates insulin and increases its ability to move blood sugar into the cells.
Some studies suggest that cinnamon for diabetes control is effective after 40 days. If you consult your doctor and take the suitable quantity, cinnamon can help you control sugar.
Taking metformin with cinnamon might have an undesirable effect on diabetic patients. Consult your doctor before taking cinnamon with antidiabetic medicine.
Increasing soluble fiber, exercising regularly, eating mindfully, and consuming cinnamon are some of the most effective ways to improve insulin sensitivity.
Experts suggest it is safe to consume 1–2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder or one cinnamon stick each day. Overconsuming cinnamon may hurt some vitals.
The most popular spices for diabetics are cloves, garlic, cinnamon (dalchini), and turmeric. These spices have antioxidant and antibacterial properties.