Cinnamon
Cinnamon may aid in lowering blood sugar and combating diabetes by mimicking insulin’s actions and enhancing glucose transfer into cells. It may also aid in lowering blood sugar by boosting insulin sensitivity and enhancing insulin’s ability to transport glucose into cells. In a research involving seven males, cinnamon supplementation enhanced insulin sensitivity immediately after ingestion, and the benefit lasted for at least 12 hours.
The meal size and carbohydrate content might cause a significant blood sugar surge after eating. These blood sugar variations may raise oxidative stress and inflammation levels, which can cause significant cell damage and increase the risk of chronic illness. Cinnamon may help control these post-meal blood sugar rises by reducing the pace at which food is expelled from the stomach. Also, it inhibits the digestive enzymes that break down carbohydrates in the small intestine.
One research indicated that having 1.2 teaspoons (6 grams) of cinnamon with a plate of rice pudding resulted in delayed stomach emptying and lower blood sugar increases compared to consuming rice pudding without cinnamon. Typically, 1 to 6 grams can be consumed as a supplement or as a powder added to the diet, especially in the morning, to help aid insulin resistance.
