Kitchen spices, since time immemorial, have been credited for their countless number of health benefitting properties. Other than their varied culinary usages, these aromatic, flavoursome spices are also known to be an indispensable part of traditional medical practices – one of them being cinnamon (or as we call it dalchini in Hindi). Dalchini is obtained from the inner bark of the evergreen trees of the Cinnamomum family and is known to ward off several health-related issues.
Adding to the health benefits of cinnamon, a recent study has found that this common kitchen spice may help in controlling blood sugar level in prediabetics. This can further slowdown the development of full-fledged type 2 diabetes. The study has been published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
As per a report by the Endocrine Society, the study was conducted for 12 weeks on 51 people with prediabetes. It was found that cinnamon had positive effects on the participants and reported zero side-effects.
“Our 12-week study showed beneficial effects of adding cinnamon to the diet on keeping blood sugar levels stable in participants with prediabetes,” said the study’s corresponding author, Giulio R. Romeo, M.D., of Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Mass.
“These findings provide the rationale for longer and larger studies to address if cinnamon can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time,” Romeo added.
The other authors of the study included Junhee Lee of the Kyung Hee University in Seoul, South Korea; Christopher M. Mulla of Joslin Diabetes Center and the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany; Youngmin Noh of Joslin Diabetes Center and the Kyung Hee University; Casey Holden of Joslin Diabetes Center; and Byung-Cheol Lee of the Kyung Hee University.