Each and every cell in our body needs an energy source to function at its optimum. Glucose is the energy source. But body cells do not directly absorb glucose that is circulating in the blood. It needs a vehicle which is able to make absorption of glucose easier. This vehicle is a pancreatic hormone called insulin. Insulin has an important role to play in transporting glucose to muscles, tissues and each body cell.
Any alteration in the level of insulin secretion can have a drastic impact on blood glucose level. It can result either in hyperglycemia or diabetes, or hypoglycemia a term used for low blood sugar.
Along with certain anti-diabetic drugs, cinnamon is a natural herb which is known to lower the level of glucose in blood to an extent that can lead to hypoglycemic state. You may need to adjust your anti-diabetic dose, if you are taking cinnamon or its supplement in order to prevent hypoglycemia.
Benefits Of Eating Cinnamon
Cinnamon is the inner bark of Cinnamomum tree. It is a popular spice used in variety of culinary dishes and beverages for enhancement of flavor and taste.
It is used for many gastrointestinal disorders such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach spasms. It is a native of Asia. Its medicinal benefits are derived from the polyphenols, essential oils and terpenes that it contains. Cinnamon supplements are available in tablets, powder, oils. The dose may vary from one individual to another depending on the age, his health etc.
Is Cinnamon Good Or Bad For Hypoglycemia?
One of the chemical ingredients called hydroxychalcone is believed to enhance the effect of insulin in the body. Hydroxychalcone is known to increase the insulin sensitivity. It helps to promote glucose uptake from blood into the cells and tissues. For this reason it can be a complementary natural product to maintain healthy blood sugar level in a diabetic patient.
According to a research an intake of moderate amount of cinnamon helps to lower the insulin as it promotes quick gastric emptying.
These two beneficial qualities are known to aid or lower the blood sugar level.
Use of cinnamon is therefore useful in treating or maintaining healthy level of blood sugar in diabetes. However, patient taking cinnamon supplements should adjust the dose of anti-diabetic drug. This is because both together may further lower the blood sugar to such a level that it may result in hypoglycemia.
Cinnamon is otherwise safe to use if taken in moderate quantity. There may be a rare incidence of allergic reaction to some ingredient in a hypersensitive individual. Besides interfering with anti-diabetes medicine, it can also interfere with blood thinning medicines. Therefore if you are taking blood thinning agent, too much ingestion of cinnamon can lead to increased risk of bleeding.
Cinnamon supplements are available in most spice stores as well as in herbal stores.