Cinnamon great for Type 2 diabetes patients

January 31, 2004

30 Jan 2004

The aromatic bark can lower blood sugar, triglycerides and cholesterol

levels, as well as improve insulin functioning, particularly in Type 2

diabetics, researchers have found. , lead scientist at the

Human Nutrition Research Center in Beltsville, Md. (USA), calls its

medicinal properties the most significant nutritional discovery in 25 years.

'I don't know of anything else,' he said, other than drugs, 'that can change

glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol levels nearly so much.'

The most recent study, which appears in the December issue of the journal

Diabetes Care, showed that, after 40 days, 30 diabetics who had taken 1 to 6

grams of cinnamon extract daily reduced their risk factors for

cardiovascular disease.

Specifically, their mean fasting glucose fell 18 percent to 29 percent,

their triglycerides 25 percent to 30 percent, their LDL ('bad') cholesterol

7 percent to 27 percent and their total cholesterol 12 percent to 26

percent.

Only a little cinnamon was necessary, said , who helped conduct the

study. A 30-person placebo group showed no change.

Other experts say they're reserving judgment until more extensive studies on

humans confirm the results.

If 's findings are confirmed by wider studies, the spice could help

fight the soaring U.S. rate of Type 2 diabetes. Also known as adult-onset

diabetes, it afflicts an estimated 16 million people in the United States.

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