Cinnamon for the diabetic

While I was watching Bret Michaels rock is way through Celebrity Apprentice the other night, I could not help but note that he mentioned cinnamon as an important spice for people who suffer from diabetes. Michaels has lived with Type 1 diabetes since he was six years old and the charity he is playing for the American Diabetes Association. While choosing flavors for his “Troppa Rocka” Snapple drink, he was determined to try to incorporate cinnamon into his diet Snapple Drink, because he said that current research points to this spice as an important ingredient in helping to maintain a person’s blood sugar levels.

According to recent health news, the rocker apparently knows what he talking about. Scientists around the world now believe that this favorite oatmeal sprinkling can help control blood sugar making it a potential weapon in the fight against diabetes. Research has show that something in the spice helps fight inflammation and can even display insulin like properties which helps decrease blood sugar spikes in the body.

At the Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Center, lab studies found that cinnamon contains a number of beneficial polyphenols including a compound known as proanthocyanidin. Polyphenols are antioxidants that can help boost the level of three different proteins that help trigger insulin response, move blood sugar through the system, and deal with inflammatory response. 

Another earlier study that the Center did showed that Type 2 diabetics who took three doses of cinnamon a day for 40 days showed improved insulin sensitivity.  These improvements faded after 20 days, proving that cinnamon was an important factor in the overall benefit. 

While the jury is still out as to whether the Rockstar’s  new cinnamon laced Snapple flavor will be a hit, at least this good news about cinnamon has been able to get out so that people with diabetes, or with family members with diabetes can now take a closer look at this popular spice and the benefits that it may potentially bring to them.