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MSM

Health News Archive 670 - Glucose Levels
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Cinnamon Helps Manage Blood Sugar Levels

Researchers found that compared to placebo, the addition of cinnamon to the rice pudding “significantly delayed gastric emptying and lowered the [post-meal blood sugar levels]”. No significant effects were seen however, in improving feelings of fullness in the cinnamon group.

In this study, 14 healthy subjects underwent an 8-hour fast to establish each patient’s fasting blood sugar level. They were then given either 300 grams of rice pudding or 300 grams of rice pudding with cinnamon. They then measured gastric emptying, which is the rate of digestion of the rice in the stomach and small intestine. Gastric emptying has gained attention recently, since it has been shown to directly affect the ability to control blood sugar levels. The slower the gastric emptying, the better the blood sugar control.

Type 2 diabetes costs over $13,000 per person to treat each year (adding up to nearly $130 billion each year). Considering that people without diabetes require 80% less money in healthcare dollars (only $2,560 per year), the need to help patients manage their blood sugar successfully and naturally is of primary importance.

While supplements such as whey protein, walnuts, coenzyme Q10, Quercetin, acetyl-L-carnitine and fiber help control both blood sugar and manage the complications associated with type 2 diabetes, cinnamon is increasing in popularity. Research has recently identified a component in cinnamon that has both insulin-like and antioxidant activity. Past studies have shown that 6 grams per day and 3 grams per day are very effective in helping people manage their blood sugar.

The researchers concluded “the intake of 6 g cinnamon with rice pudding reduces postprandial blood glucose and delays gastric emptying without affecting [fullness].”

Source: Hlebowicz J. Effect of cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose, gastric emptying, and satiety in healthy subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85:1552– 6.