CINNAMON

The level of glucose in the blood (that is, blood sugar) is one of the most tightly regulated substances by the body (1, 2). One of the major reasons that blood sugar levels are so closely controlled is that the brain depends on a continuous supply of glucose as an energy source (1, 3). Although the brain can adapt to use ketones as an energy source, this adaptation takes some time (4). That is why it is of primary importance for our bodies to keep the level of blood sugar relatively constant at all times. Blood sugar control is primarily achieved by the hormones insulin and glucagon (5, 6).

After a meal, blood sugar levels increase as carbohydrates from consumed foods are digested and absorbed into the bloodstream (2). In non-diabetic persons, this rise in blood sugar triggers secretion of insulin into the blood circulation (7). Insulin is the hormone that tells the body to remove excess glucose from the bloodstream by transporting it into tissues and promoting storage of glucose as glycogen in the liver and muscle tissues (2, 6).

In type-1 diabetics , the body does not produce insulin; therefore insulin needs to be injected to avoid too high levels of blood sugar (a condition called hyperglycemia). In type-2 diabetics, the pancreas does produce insulin; however, the cells that usually take glucose up from the blood become resistant to the effects of insulin. This results in high blood glucose levels, which is also called hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemia is a serious condition that causes many of the long-term health problems associated with diabetes, such as eye, kidney, and nerve damage (8, 9). The health problems associated with hyperglycemia do not appear immediately; however, with hypoglycemia, a condition associated with very low blood sugar levels, the health of a person can quickly deteriorate, resulting in lethargy, irritability, impaired mental functioning, loss of consciousness, and in worst case scenarios, coma and death (1). Therefore, it is not surprising that controlling blood sugar is one of the body’s priorities. While insulin is necessary for this task, because insulin also inhibits fat burning (oxidation) and promotes storage of fat as body fat (6, 10), we want control blood sugar with as little insulin as possible.

Hyperglycemia is a serious condition that causes many of the long-term health problems associated with diabetes, among all, eye, kidney, and nerve damage (8, 9). While the health consequences of hyperglycemia do not appear right away, its opposite, too low blood sugar level (called hypoglycemia) is a potentially fatal condition that can quickly result in lethargy, irritability, impaired mental functioning, loss of consciousness, and in worst case, coma and death (1). Therefore, it is not surprising that the body prioritizes the control of blood sugar levels. While insulin is necessary for this task, because insulin also inhibits fat burning (oxidation) and promotes storage of fat as body fat (6, 10), we want to get the blood sugar control job done with as little insulin as possible.

Cinnamon is a well known spice with an extensive history of use as a pungent and flavoring agent (22). Cinnamon improves the effectiveness of insulin, as well as an antioxidant effect (11-13). Cinnamon has been shown to reduce fasting blood sugar, blood triglycerides, and total blood cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in patients with type-2 diabetes when it is added to the diet for 40 days in doses of 1, 3, or 6 g (14, 15). Cinnamon also reduces blood sugar levels in non-diabetic, healthy individuals (16). In addition to cinnamon’s beneficial effects on blood sugar regulation, a recent study showed that supplementation with cinnamon also decreases systolic blood pressure, and increases lean body mass while decreasing body fat (17). Supplementation with cinnamon is safe and well-tolerated (15, 17, 18). While there are some studies that did not find any effect of cinnamon, the totality of scientific evidence supports the use of cinnamon for blood sugar control (19-21).

Therefore, cinnamon became an additional ingredient in The Washboard Waffle & Pancake Mix. One serving of The Washboard Waffle & Pancake Mix provides 1 g of cinnamon extract, which (as indicated above) is an effective dose to achieve its health benefits

Numbers within parentheses refer to references