The Roles of Cinnamon and Cassia in Type 2 Diabetes and Your Health
This is the second article in a short series about your health and Indian curry spices. The first article, called “Turmeric. Is It a Spice or Medicine??” and you can read it here.
There are a lot of articles on the Internet about using cinnamon to treat Type 2 Diabetes.
Cinnamon is a spice that is made from the bark of a tree in the Lauaraceae family.
Cassia is also a spice made from the bark of a tree.
Both spices have similar flavours and are very difficult to tell apart when in their powdered form.
And, to confuse matters even more, Cassia is often labelled and sold as being Cinnamon.
Studies have been carried out using Cassia to treat patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
The studies have shown that Cassia reduced the blood sugar levels in people who have Type 2 Diabetes (Type 2 Diabetes is having too much blood sugar whilst Type 1 Diabetes is having too little blood sugar). This is excellent news for the estimated 170 million people who have Diabetes.
The study that is usually referenced was carried out in Pakistan and, as well as reducing the levels of blood sugars, the treatment also reduced levels of LDL (the bad cholesterol).
Good news is that the Cinnamon/Cassia can be taken in tea, drinks and lots of foods (just think how many things you can eat and drink that contain cinnamon).
And the health benefits of using cinnamon do not end with Diabetes. It is claimed that cinnamon is effective in treating flatulence, vomiting, nausea, hypertension, angina, upset stomachs, diarrhoea, infections, kidney problems and even the common cold.
Check the following links to read up on the medicinal uses of cinnamon. Or use your favourite search engine to find the information for yourself.
Cinnamon. What Is It?
The Effects of Cinnamon in Type 2 Diabetes
Cinnamon as Medicine?
Cinnamon
Cinnamon spice produces healthier blood
