How Much Cinnamon do I Eat in One Day to Control My Blood Sugar Levels?
In this article, I would be sharing how much cinnamon do I eat in one day to control my blood sugar levels.
I’m sure you all would agree that cinnamon is common to almost all kitchens across the globe.
While we do put this kitchen spice in rice based dishes, beagles, snacks and even tea, cinnamon is a spice that has immense medicinal properties. I particularly like to have this spice added to my herbal tea.
But this is not why I am here.
Being a Type 2 diabetic, I need to take firm control over my diet. I cannot eat the usual oily foods, fast food, processed foods, deserts and cookies.
If I do indulge in a processed delicacy then, it is highly likely that my sugar levels shall spiral out of control. So, I am always watchful of what I eat.
One such item that I include in my blood sugar controlling diet is cinnamon.
Let me tell you why I consume cinnamon almost daily:
How Much Cinnamon do I Eat in One Day to Control My Blood Sugar Levels – Contents of this Write-Up
1) What is the Role of Cinnamon in Your Health?
2) Was My Diabetes a Birth Issue or Acquired?
3) Which Type of Cinnamon do I Use to Lower My Blood Glucose and Why?
4) How Much Cinnamon do I Eat in one Day to Control My Blood Sugar Levels?
5) How do I Consume Cinnamon?
6) Takeaway
What is the Role of Cinnamon in Your Health?
Cinnamon is a spice that is derived from the bark of cinnamon tree. First the stem of the tree is sliced and then, its inner back is peeled to extract the spice.
It is a flavoring agent that has a pleasant aroma. Found in most kitchens across the globe, this spice is used in a wide variety of dishes.
It also needs to be noted that most of your favorite breakfast cereals and hot chocolate comprises of cinnamon. I always have a cup of tea that has ample amount of crushed cinnamon in it.
So, what is the benefit of consuming cinnamon?
@ For a starter, cinnamon is a storehouse of antioxidants. It contains polyphenols that helps reduce inflammation in the human body.
@ I like cinnamon’s capability in mobilizing my sluggish metabolism. I believe, it is owing to the presence of cinnamaldehyde in this spice.
@ This kitchen spice has the ability to repair my damaged tissues. So, it helps me repair any internal damages (wear and tear) done to my body.
@ Cinnamon is known to reduce the triglyceride levels in the human body. When it reduces my LDL levels, I am able to sustain optimal cardiac growth and sustain robust cardiac functionality.
@ By far the most important reason for me taking cinnamon is because it increases insulin sensitivity. This helps shuttle glucose from my blood into my cells.
@ Cinnamon has been known to lower fasting blood glucose. It also speeds up the production of hemoglobin A1c.
@ This simple looking kitchen spice also mimics the role of insulin in my body. So, it indirectly compensates for the low production of insulin by my pancreas (well, at least to a certain extent, it does).
@ Cinnamon is also known to improve the nerve cells present in the brain. This keeps me relatively free from neuro-degenerative ailments.
@ Cinnamon contains a medicinal compound called cinnamaldehyde, which stops the growth of cancer cells in the body.
@ Finally, bacterial infections caused by salmonella and others are thwarted by cinnamon.
Was My Diabetes a Birth Issue or Acquired?
If you are a diabetic reading my article then, I am sure you are already aware of the terms, ‘Type 1 & Type 2’ diabetes. Most individuals who contract diabetes at an early age belong to the Type 1 category.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is genetic. It is a birth defect that inhibits the production of insulin. Most individuals with Type 1 diabetes have malfunctioned pancreas that are unable to produce insulin.
I do NOT belong to this category.
How I Got Type 2 Diabetes?
In my case, I acquired diabetes when I was in my early forties. I have discussed this in detail in my other articles related to diabetes. Apparently, my lifestyle changed for the worse when I was in my early forties.
Till I was in my thirties, I was leading a healthy life. I ate healthy home cooked food and exercised regularly. I also limited my alcohol intake and had never smoked a single cigarette.
In my forties, I went into deep depression because I was laid off from my job. I guess, it was owing to covid-19 job cuts. Anyhow, I started to eat junk food, started smoking, drank way too much alcohol and slept very late at night.
Within 2 to 3 years into this unhealthy lifestyle, I was diagnosed with diabetes. This revelation happened during a routine medical check-up that I indulged in on an annual basis. It was Type 2 Diabetes.
Which Type of Cinnamon do I Use to Lower My Blood Glucose and Why?
There are several types of cinnamon available in the market. The four variants that I personally know of are Ceylon, Korintje, Cassia and Saigon.
The one variant that was easily available was Cassia. This is one variety that is widely used the world over in pies, cookies, bakery items and even in smoothies.
Nonetheless, too much of Cassia is sure to give me indigestion. It can even prove to be toxic for a diabetic (if consumed in large quantities in a single day).
Let me walk you through all the 4 cinnamon variants in brief:
Cassia Cinnamon:
Available in abundance in North America and China, Cassia is perhaps the most common variety. It has a thick skin and is dark brown in color. This is perhaps the best cinnamon variant for preparing savory dishes.
I have researched and found that if consumed in lower quantities, Cassia serves as a natural anti-inflammatory agent. It has antiviral and even antibacterial properties.
In fact, Cassia is also considered good for diabetics like me, as it boosts my metabolism. Ideally, one should not consume more than 0.1 milligram of Cassia per 2.2 pounds of body weight.
Not following this rule may prove toxic.
Saigon Cinnamon:
This is the second variant of cinnamon that is derived from the cassia tree. So, I can confidently say that it is a sister concerned of cassia cinnamon.
This variant is mainly used in cereals. I have also used it as a spread topping on my favorite toasts. In fact, I have boiled it with my milk in order to provide the missing flavor to my favorite beverage.
Saigon variant tends to originate in Vietnam. It is not so common in grocery stores but if you search hard, you would find it for sure.
Ceylon Cinnamon:
This is by far my favorite. Native to Sri Lanka, Ceylon variant is fortified with medicinal properties. It has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also antiviral and antibacterial.
I like its citrus taste and its floral fragrance. Ceylon cinnamon is light brown in color. This variety is ideal for adding the missing spice to my favorite cinnamon buns and rolls.
Korintje Cinnamon:
The last and final variant of cinnamon that I tried is Korintje. It is native to Indonesia and is reddish brown in color. I recognize it via its thick skin.
I like to put Korintje in my favorite whole wheat sugar-free cookies. At the same time, you can use it to add the missing flavor in your cinnamon rolls.
I also make use of Korintje cinnamon to increase insulin production in my pancreas.
As I have gained weight after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, Korintje helped me reduce my weight by firing up my metabolism.
My Preferred Choice of Cinnamon: Basically, I prefer both Ceylon as well as Cassia for maintaining optimal sugar levels in my blood stream.
How Much Cinnamon do I Eat in one Day to Control My Blood Sugar Levels?
This is indeed a million dollar question.
Well, I have experimented with all the 4 variants of cinnamon. Of all these, the two variants that I make use of for controlling my blood sugar levels are Ceylon and Cassia.
The main reason for the same is their ability to improve my insulin production. They also help metabolize the carbs that I consume via my diet in an optimal manner.
When my carbs are metabolized, the insulin produced is higher than what my pancreas are currently capable of producing. This helps shuttle extra glucose from my blood stream into my cells.
This in turn, helps stabilize my blood sugar levels to a great extent. Nonetheless, please do remember that eating cinnamon alone cannot cure diabetes. Cinnamon simply assists in keeping my blood sugar levels in check.
So, what is My Ideal Cinnamon Dosage per Day?
I consume approximately 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon per day. Sometimes, I go down to ½ a teaspoon per day.
So, if we are to measure this is grams then, it would be anywhere in between 3 to 5 grams of cinnamon per day.
I reduce or increase this intake as per my blood sugar levels. So, I keep on checking my blood glucose regularly.
This helps me determine whether to increase or decrease the daily dose of this spice. I also add other supplements such as magnesium to control my condition.
How do I Consume Cinnamon?
In my opinion, cinnamon is one of the few kitchen herbs that lower blood sugar fast.
Nonetheless, the big question is – how do I manage to consume this seemingly boring and tasteless spice each and every day without fail.
Well, here are the Top 5 Ways I Consume Cinnamon Daily:
I Add it to My Daily Breakfast Cereals:
I like to eat yogurt, oatmeal and toast each morning. I also like to eat 2 slices of toasted rye bread.
So, what I do is that I sprinkle powdered cinnamon on top of these food items.
I then mix this well with the chosen food items – such as yogurt and then, lap it all up.
I Add it to My Daily Dishes:
I have a couple of spices handy in my kitchen pantry. These include nutmeg, ginger, cloves and black pepper.
I grind these to a fine powder and to this, I add 1 to 2 teaspoons of powdered (Ceylon or Cassia) cinnamon.
Topping on My Choicest Delicacies:
I do indulge in rice based recipes from time to time. One of my favorite is vegetable biryani. So, what I do is I add powdered cinnamon onto my rise dish.
This makes it diabetic friendly and also adds a nutty flavor to the entire meal. I would also like to state that I add this spice to my choicest roasted vegetables as well.
Occasional Healthy Baking:
I know that I have Type 2 diabetes and I also know that I should ideally avoid baked items. These are all processed and devoid of the natural ingredients that home cooked meals possess.
So, what I do is that I bake at home only. I use whole wheat flour instead of processed flour for baking purposes.
At the same time, I make sure that I sprinkle 1/2 to 1 teaspoons of ground Ceylon cinnamon on top of my favorite cookies or cakes.
My Fruity Meals:
My last and final method of consuming this diabetes friendly spice is by sprinkling it on top of my favorite fruits.
I take about 3 to 4 grams of ground cinnamon and sprinkle it on top of berries, pomegranates and apples. This keeps me healthy and permits me to consume my favorite fruits without shooting up my blood sugar levels.
Takeaway
Cinnamon is a spice that has immense medicinal properties. It can not only heighten the taste and aroma of your favorite dish but it also makes you a healthier individual.
I try and include this kitchen spice daily. If I skip it, it is all right. After all, cinnamon is a spice and not a medicine that needs to be taken daily to control my fluctuating blood sugar.
The best part is that this spice is readily available in most grocery stores near me. At the same time, it is completely free from any side effects.
Moreover, it is very easy to grind it into a fine powder. All it takes is a few seconds of my time to churn it in the mixer grinder.
Hot Tip:
My suggestion is to add cinnamon to your diet but do not expect miracles from it. This spice has medicinal properties but it alone cannot treat your diabetes.
I always indulge in regular physical exercise and maintain a positive mindset. It helps keeping me fit and healthy besides stopping my blood sugar levels from shooting through the roof.
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