Cinnamon not only tastes delicious, but it also has beneficial health effects. In addition to having an anti-cancer effect, reducing the chances of suffering from Alzheimer’s and reducing bad cholesterol (LDL), cinnamon also has the ability to increase the insulin sensitivity of our cells. Here we will explain what insulin resistance is and how cinnamon can help us improve this condition.
When we eat, the body extracts glucose from food, which is used as energy for all cells in the body. Insulin is released to allow the passage of glucose from the blood to the cells of the body so that it can be used in its metabolism. In healthy human beings, cells are sensitive to insulin, that is, they detect it correctly and allow the passage of glucose. The more sensitive your cells are to insulin, the less insulin your pancreas must produce in order to assimilate glucose. In people with insulin resistance (which is caused by metabolic syndrome, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, among others), insulin is not properly captured by the cells of the body, that is, glucose cannot be used by the cells. and remains circulating in the blood. The glucose that remains circulating in the blood can damage the blood vessels, in addition to causing weight gain, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, etc.
The journal Diabetes Care conducted a study in 2003 which indicates a reduction in blood glucose and LDL cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The consumption of 1, 3 or 6 grams daily for 40 days reduced the levels of glucose in blood by 18-29%, in addition to reduction of triglycerides, LDL and total cholesterol. Another study carried out in 2007 showed that with the consumption of 6 grams of cinnamon daily gastric emptying is reduced, causing a lower increase in blood glucose after eating.
These are some of the beneficial health effects that cinnamon offers:
- Prevents clogging of the arteries ( atherosclerosis ).
- Improves joint pain in people suffering from arthritis .
- Improves the immune system .
- Helps relieve indigestion .
- Good source of calcium, manganese and iron.
For all these reasons, we recommend that you start using cinnamon daily with your meals, helping to prevent insulin resistance and some other diseases. You can use cinnamon in coffee, oatmeal, sprinkle cinnamon on fruits, if you like pastries you can add cinnamon to your cookies, pancakes, etc. Discuss how you add cinnamon to your meals and which way you like best.
