Cinnamon Controls Blood Sugar in Those With Prediabetes, New Study Suggests
Lower your levels to prevent the more serious condition.
It’s estimated that at least one in three American adults has prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prediabetes is the condition that comes before type 2 diabetes to signal that the body is having trouble managing blood sugar levels. However, a new study has revealed that taking cinnamon may help those with prediabetes ward off the latter condition.
Researchers from the study, which was published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, set out to determine whether adding cinnamon to one’s diet may help those with prediabetes gain control of their blood sugar levels. They recruited 51 subjects with prediabetes who were all given either 500 milligrams of cinnamon in capsule form or a placebo three times daily for 12 weeks.
Their results showed that those taking the cinnamon had lowered their abnormal fasting blood sugar levels. The cinnamon also showed to improve the body’s response to eating a meal with carbohydrates. On top of that, the cinnamon supplements did not have any associated side effects or cause adverse reactions, and they were generally considered safe.
Previous research has shown that cinnamon may help those with diabetes control their blood sugar, but this was the first study of its kind to demonstrate the spice’s ability to help those struggling with prediabetes. Gaining better control of your blood sugar when you have prediabetes can mean the difference between actually getting type 2 diabetes and avoiding it.
“Our 12-week study showed beneficial effects of adding cinnamon to the diet on keeping blood sugar levels stable in participants with prediabetes,” study author Giulio Romeo, M.D. said in a press release. “These findings provide the rationale for longer and larger studies to address if cinnamon can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time.”
If you have prediabetes and are ready to try using cinnamon to gain control of your blood sugar, you can start by adding cinnamon into your diet. Try sprinkling some cinnamon on top of your oatmeal or yogurt, or adding it into smoothie recipe. You can also take a cinnamon supplement, but be sure to get your doctor’s OK before trying any new regiment. For a product we love, try this one from Puritan’s Pride ($6.47, Amazon).
For more on foods that help balance blood sugar:
These 9 Simple (and Delicious!) Food Swaps Significantly Lower Diabetes Risk, Say MDs
9 Low-Glycemic Fruits to Consider Adding to Your Diet — Even If You Suffer from Diabetes
Doubling Your Walnut Intake Could Cut Your Diabetes Risk in Half, Study Suggests
