Discover how to use Cinnamon for diabetes.
Why and how to use cinnamon to lower the level of sugar and fat in the blood?

Cinnamon, also known as “poor man’s insulin”, has long been known for its action on diabetes and cholesterol. Let’s see here why it is advisable to consume cinnamon when you have diabetes, and how to take cinnamon for an effective effect.

Be aware, however, that under no circumstances should you stop taking the medications prescribed by your doctor, and take advice from him if you want to take cinnamon.

This way to buy cinnamon, the aromatic bark of the cinnamon tree used in cooking and therefore as a natural remedy against diabetes.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is chronic hyperglycemia, an excess of sugar in the blood causing blood sugar that is too high compared to the average. This excess of sugar is the consequence of poor assimilation, poor use and poor storage of sugars by the body.

Indeed, in a normal organism, the carbohydrates in the diet are transformed into glucose, the pancreas then detects the increase in blood sugar and will produce insulin.

This insulin helps glucose to enter body cells (muscles, organs, etc.) and the liver where it will be processed and stored. Blood sugar levels then decrease in the blood.

For people with diabetes, this regulatory system does not work and must be supported by injections of insulin through injections.

There are mainly two types of diabetes :

• Type 1 diabetes: or insulin-dependent diabetes, about 6% of diabetics. It is characterized by insufficient production of insulin.
• Type 2 diabetes: or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, 92% of diabetics. It is characterized by initially an insulin resistance of certain organs which prevent the entry of insulin.

This resistance to the action of insulin leads to an overproduction of insulin by the pancreas to compensate, a pancreas which gets tired and after twenty years, no longer produces enough insulin: this is the insulin deficiency.

You should know that this type of diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 2 to 4 times (heart attack, high blood pressure, etc.).

Can cinnamon lower your blood sugar

A simple answer would be: yes! But let’s dig into the subject a bit.

To go further, find out what are the virtues of cinnamon.

For the little story :
It is a happy mistake that led Western researchers to find the effect of cinnamon on blood sugar (although this effect has been known for ages in Asia).

Indeed, we owe this discovery to Dr Richard A. Anderson, who originally studied the properties of chromium. USDA researcher, senior scientist at Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Beltsville, and physician.

He has published over 230 scientific manuscripts and presented over 200 presentations at regional, national and international meetings around the world.

While studying the effects of chromium on diabetes, he realizes that apple pie stimulates insulin activity. No sense, the apple pie contains only a little chromium and a lot of sugar!

Anderson then thinks of the effect of apples, but quickly realizes that this effect is due to another ingredient in the pie… cinnamon!

The scientist will therefore focus his studies on the effects of cinnamon on diabetics. Many other scientists will follow, all convinced that cinnamon is the best hope for a natural cure for diabetes.

What evidence for the effect of cinnamon on diabetes?

Following Dr Anderson’s discovery, hundreds of studies are being conducted on the bark by hundreds of scientists. Finally, it is Dr Anderson who will publish in 2010, a scientific article taking stock of the 16 main studies on cinnamon.

Of these 16 studies, 11 show a significant effect of the spice, and 5 show little or no influence on the drop in blood sugar.

CASES WHERE CINNAMON HAS LITTLE OR NO EFFECT:

Regarding these latest inconclusive or inconclusive studies, patients were taking metformin, one of the most common treatments for type 2 diabetes.

According to Anderson: “Metformin acts like cinnamon, increasing insulin sensitivity. If you take enough metformin to manage blood sugar, cinnamon will not affect”.

The poor or inconclusive studies have shown no effect on young people with type 1 diabetes, a logical result, because people with type 1 diabetes have little or no insulin, and cinnamon is not a substitute for it. insulin.

A study has shown that cinnamon does not lower blood sugar levels in healthy people without any diabetes problem.

There are still studies, conducted on other patients that have not led to conclusive results.

CASES WHERE CINNAMON HAS A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT:

The most significant study was conducted by Dr Anderson with a team of researchers from the Peshawar School of Agriculture.

This study was carried out on 60 middle-aged patients suffering from type 2 diabetes, divided into 6 groups. Group 1 took 2 capsules of cinnamon per day, group 2 took 6 and group 3 took 12. The other groups had the same amounts of capsules, but a placebo.

Treatment was carried out for 40 days in all groups, and the capsules contained 500 mg of cinnamon (approximately 1/4 teaspoon). The patients ate as usual while taking their diabetes medication, but not metformin.

The result: in the groups taking cinnamon, there was a drop in blood sugar levels of 18 to 29%. We also observed a drop in triglycerides from 23 to 30%, in total cholesterol from 13 to 26%, and bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) from 10 to 24%.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Pomona in California (USA) on 543 patients with type 2 diabetes arrived at the same conclusions, showing besides that cinnamon increases the level of good cholesterol (HDL).

How does cinnamon affect blood sugar

The magic compound that comes into play is called: polymer methylhydroxychalcone (MHCP), the most active compound in the bark.

Indeed, studies by Professor Anderson have shown that this substance increases the metabolism of glucose up to 20 times, the process which converts sugar into energy. As such, cinnamon is the ally of diets!

Cinnamon facilitates the work of insulin and therefore helps to get sugar into cells. As such, it would affect comparable to certain drugs such as thiazolidinediones (Actos®, Avandia®, etc.), which reduce insulin resistance.

Also, MHCP is a formidable antioxidant, from a class of polyphenols found in cocoa beans, which also has an impact on diabetes.

Antioxidants prevent the formation of free radicals, which damage the DNA of cells and which therefore lead to chronic diseases, including diabetes. There are many studies on the action of antioxidants on diabetes and cholesterol reduction.

What variety of cinnamon for diabetes?

As I explain in our article on how to lose weight with cinnamon, there are two varieties, which come from the bark of two very similar but different tree species:

• Cinnamomum Verum, known as Ceylon cinnamon, also known as real cinnamon,
• Cinnamomum aromaticum or Cinnamomum cassia, known as cinnamon from Indonesia or China, also known as false cinnamon.

Let’s be clear: when it comes to lowering blood sugar and cholesterol, variety doesn’t matter, they have the same effect. That said, for long term use, we still recommend Ceylon cinnamon.

Indeed, their health benefits are the same, with one exception that makes all the difference: coumarin. It is the coumarin concentration that differs in the two species.

Ceylon cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum Verum) hardly contains any, but on the other hand, Chinese cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum cassia) is rich in it.

Except that coumarin is potentially toxic to the liver because it has hepatotoxic properties. So for long term consumption, prefer Ceylon cinnamon.

How to take cinnamon?

The different ways to do it:
It should be consumed daily, whatever the way. We recommend doses between 1 and 4 g (between 1/2 and 1 teaspoon per day) of Ceylon cinnamon per day, even if studies have not made it possible to update an ideal dosage. You can consume it:

• For breakfast: in cottage cheese, on your cereals, on a fruit salad, etc.
• In your savoury dishes: yes, especially in the Maghreb and in the East, it is found in salty dishes: couscous, tagines, etc.
• In the preparation of your desserts: to add directly to your preparations.
• Like a drink: in milk ( recipe for cinnamon milk ), in your tea, fruit juice (apple, orange, grape, etc.), smoothies, etc.

You can also just make an infusion of cinnamon, by boiling a cup of water, then infusing a few cinnamon sticks, or a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, covered, for 10 min.

Do not hesitate to sweeten with honey, the benefits of both are very beneficial, discover, on this subject, our article on the virtues of honey with cinnamon.

Cinnamon has a sweet flavour that will replace sugar in all your preparations.

Does cinnamon work quickly?

The first effects on blood sugar are felt after 2 weeks of daily absorption.

The first effects on cholesterol and triglycerides may take months to appear.

Contraindication and side effects:
The consumption of cinnamon is not without risk, we have devoted an article detailing the possible problems associated with the consumption of cinnamon, where you will find the contraindications, drug interactions, side effects, etc.

If using Indonesian cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia), do not exceed 1/2 teaspoon per day. The coumarin present in this variety is an anticoagulant, be careful if you are on anticoagulant treatment.

Rarer, coumarin, in large amounts and over long term consumption can cause liver damage.

Excessive consumption of cinnamon can cause side effects: increased heart rate increased blood pressure and palpitations.

To sum up “cinnamon and diabetes”:

Should we consult a doctor? Yes, yes, and again yes, never stop treatment and seek the advice of your doctor before embarking on any cure.

Is it effective? Yes, but not for everyone.

For who? People with prediabetes, metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes, if you are not taking metformin. It is possible to consult your doctor to see if it is possible to lower the doses of metformin by adding cinnamon to your diet.

How? ‘Or’ What? Add cinnamon (preferably Ceylon) every day to a healthy diet and exercise for 20 minutes per day.

Discover the 7 benefits of Macadamia Nuts.

While almonds may be America’s most popular nut, no one can deny the delicious lure of macadamia nut health benefits; this is a good thing because just like almond nutrition, macadamia nutrition has a powerful effect.

Macadamia nuts are incredible nutrient-packed powerhouses that come from the macadamia tree.

They contain some important essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, iron, B vitamins,  manganese,  and folate, as well as protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants.

These remarkable nutrients are what give these amazing nuts their bountiful benefits – what benefits? I’m glad you asked.

Benefits of Macadamia Nuts

1.- Good for the heart

Macadamia nuts contain healthy fats that can help keep your arteries in good heart-healthy condition.

Because they are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, they help lower cholesterol levels and reduce triglycerides, a type of body fat. When we reduce body fat, we can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

In a study conducted by the Pennsylvania State University Department of Nutritional Sciences, some subjects were randomly given macadamia nuts and compared to those who were fed a standard American diet.

Throughout the study, those who ate macadamia nuts saw reduced cholesterol levels and healthier heart markers overall, because macadamia nuts are a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids, they help reduce the risks of risk factors of lipid/lipoprotein cardiovascular diseases.

2.- Fight the disease

Macadamia Nut Benefits Contains flavonoids that help prevent cell damage by protecting cells from environmental toxins; Once these phenomenal flavonoids are in the body, they turn into antioxidants, which is where the energy comes in; Antioxidants have this great job of finding free radicals in our bodies and destroying them, which is how we protect our bodies from disease.

Observations from the Antioxidant Research Laboratory study at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center suggest that nut consumption is inversely related to the incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

In addition to being nutrient-dense, the numerous phytonutrients contain positive health benefits.

Phenolic acids, flavonoids, and stilbenes help provide helpful antioxidants that can fight diseases like cancer; That’s why nuts, including macadamia, are some of the best cancer-fighting foods you can eat.

3.- Help in weight loss

The good fat content in macadamia nuts can help curb your appetite, not only, but macadamias contain palmitoleic acid; palmitoleic acid can increase fat metabolism, which in turn reduces fat storage.

Macadamia nuts contain a good balance of nutrients and fats, helping you feel satisfied with just a few of them.

Additionally, macadamia nuts contain beneficial dietary fibers that can help you achieve satiety and contain complex carbohydrates such as lignans, hemicellulose, amylopectin, mucilage, gums, and insoluble cellulose that help with digestive issues and reduce pesky hunger pangs.

There is even evidence that nuts like macadamia nuts may have positive effects on the prevention of metabolic syndrome, although more research is needed to validate this belief.

4.- Supports the intestine

Containing soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, macadamia nuts help you feel full while removing toxins from the body and aiding in good digestion.

As a  food rich in copper, the macadamia nut helps with the efficient utilization of iron and supports the correct enzymatic reactions.

5.- Strengthens the bones

Macadamia nuts are abundant in phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium, all of which aid in the mineralization of bones and teeth and the transport and absorption of nutrients.

We know that calcium aids in the formation of teeth and bones, while manganese helps the body lay down new bone tissue when needed so that bones stay strong as we age.

Another important fact is that kidney disease affects the body’s ability to absorb calcium and manganese, which can lead to bone disease.

The manganese found in macadamia nuts can help keep your bones strong and fight kidney disease at the same time.

6.- Keeps the brain and nervous system on point

The copper,  vitamin B1, magnesium, and manganese found in macadamia nuts help generate healthy neurotransmitters, which are the important chemicals that brain cells need to send signals to the brain.

Macadamia nuts are also high in oleic acid, which supports brain health, and contain palmitoleic acid, which helps protect nerve cells in the brain, thus contributing to healthy brain function.

Also, the macadamia contains omega-9, and as we know, omega-9 benefits the brain in many ways, for starters, it can help improve mood, an obvious function of the brain, plus it can help improve memory and avoid neurological diseases, for example, memory performance in normal naïve mice was evaluated in a study showing that erucic acid may be a therapeutic agent for diseases associated with cognitive deficits, such as  Alzheimer’s disease.

This means that you can add improved memory and cognitive function to the list of omega-9 benefits and the benefits of macadamia nuts.

7.-Reduces chronic inflammation and arthritis symptoms

Omega  -6 fatty acids may provide some nutritional benefits, but most people consume too much; when we have too many omega-6 fatty acids it can cause an increase in chronic inflammation in the body, that’s problematic because we know that inflammation is at the root of most diseases, like arthritis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more.

One study attempted to test the ability of a panel of Australian plants, including macadamia, with a history of treating rheumatoid arthritis, and concluded that it was beneficial.

The researchers noted that the “low toxicity of these extracts and their inhibitory bioactivity against  Proteus spp indicate their potential to block the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.” That means macadamia nuts are a good addition to any arthritis diet treatment plan.

Most nuts have more omega-6 than omega-3 forms, but macadamia nuts are lower in omega-6; That doesn’t mean you should go overboard.

But by watching your intake of omega-6 fatty acids and having a few macadamia nuts each week, you can add protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to your diet without adding too much inflammation, causing omega-6s to give you an idea of the differences, pecans contain 3.7 grams of omega-6 per 100 grams, almonds 3.4 grams and cashews  2.2 grams compared to macadamia which comes in at 0.36 grams.

Nutritional rate of Macadamia nuts

While the macadamia nut may be higher in fat and contain more calories, it is lower in omega-6, as noted above, than other nuts; it also contains an impressive amount of nutrients, most notably an incredible 58 percent of the recommended daily value of manganese in a small serving.

One ounce of raw macadamia nuts contains approximately:

• 203 calories

• 4 grams of carbohydrates

• 2.2 grams of protein

• 21.4 grams of fat

• 2.4 grams of fiber

• 1.2 milligrams of manganese (58 percent DV)

• 0.3 milligrams of thiamin (23 percent DV)

• 0.2 milligrams of copper (11 percent DV)

• 36.7 milligrams of magnesium (9 percent DV)

• 1 milligram of iron (6 percent DV)

• 53.1 milligrams of phosphorus (5 percent DV)

• 0.1 milligrams of vitamin B6 (4 percent DV)

Origin and History of Macadamia Nuts

• Macadamias are contained with a hard seed coat that is encased in a green shell; then splits open when the nut ripens, while the macadamia is probably better known as hailing from Hawaii, did you know two seedlings were planted in the 19th century on the University of California Berkeley campus that still stand today? It is true! However, macadamia is native to Australia.

• The macadamia nut has a creamy white kernel made up of 65 percent to 75 percent oil and 6 percent to 8 percent sugar, when roasted it becomes more consistent in both color and texture. some seed coats are smooth, and some are rougher and pebbled; at the same time, some are more suitable for the home garden, while others are more suitable for commercial production.

• You may have heard of macadamia also called Mauna loa. Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on earth located in Hawaii, and Mauna Loa, now a brand name, became one of the first macadamia plantations to be developed in Hawaii.

• In addition to being called macadamia nuts, these nuts are also commonly known as the Australian walnut and the Queensland walnut; many species are poisonous; however, there are two edible species; one is the smooth-shelled macadamia or macadamia integrifolia, and the other is the hard-shelled macadamia or M. tetraphylla.

• Growing near streams and riverbanks in tropical rainforests, macadamia integrifolia is native to southeastern Queensland, while tetraphylla is native to southeastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales. At the point where the two species meet, some types appear to be natural hybrids.

• This nut arrived in Hawaii around 1881, used primarily as an ornament and for reforestation. In 1948, the Hawaiian Agricultural Experiment Station named and introduced several promising selections, leading to the modern macadamia industry for which Hawaii is famous.

Hawaii brought the macadamia tree to California in the mid-20th century. Australia, South Africa, and Central America also depend on the value of macadamia. Macadamias prefer a temperate, frost-free climate with plenty of rain, similar to the way coffee beans grow best.

How to store and roast macadamia nuts?

Be sure to store your macadamias in a cool place, like the refrigerator or cupboard. However, it is important to ensure that they do not contain moisture to maintain the benefits of macadamia nuts.

If you prefer them toasted, here’s what to do:

• Preheat your oven to 225-250 degrees F.

• Arrange the nut meats (the actual edible part of the nuts, not the shells) on a cookie sheet. It’s best to roast similar-sized pieces for consistency.

• Simply toast for about 10 minutes, keeping an eye on them as oven temperatures can fluctuate.

• Remove from oven as soon as they start to turn slightly brown.

• Allow them to cool down.

• Store in a tightly closed container.

Precautions

• Macadamia nuts are certainly a delicious and healthy choice, but keep portions in mind. Keep an eye on the ingredients when you buy them, as many nuts have been covered in preservatives, oils, and tons of salt. They are also rich in phosphorous, which is important for anyone who may be dealing with kidney problems.

• Also, be aware of common nut allergies. If you have a nut allergy, you should avoid macadamias.

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Macadamia Nuts

• Macadamia nuts contain some important essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, iron, B vitamins, manganese, and folic acid, as well as protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants.

• These nuts are good for the heart, fight disease as antioxidant-rich foods, aid in weight loss, support gut health, strengthen bones, keep the brain and nervous system sharp, reduce chronic inflammation, and treat arthritis.

• Be sure to store your macadamias in a cool place, like the refrigerator or cupboard. However, it’s important to make sure they don’t contain any moisture, you can also grill your own.