A Spoonful of Cinnamon Helps Treat Diabetes
 (NY, Reuters Health, 12/11/03)

Dr. Richard A. Anderson of the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland and team gave 60 Type 2 diabetics either capsules containing 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon daily for 40 days, or a similar dose of wheat flour as a placebo. The scientists found that blood levels of sugar, fats and cholesterol dropped significantly for subjects in the cinnamon group; while the placebo group did not experience this benefit. According to Anderson, cinnamon contains substances that improve the efficiency of insulin, which backs up previous findings that showed that cinnamon helps fat cells respond to insulin. Anderson speculates that this ordinary spice may even prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes, but he warns that, taken in excessive amounts, cinnamon can be toxic.