Cinnamon's Secret Health Benefit

By Rachael Moeller Gorman, November/December 2007

The popular spice may help regulate blood-glucose levels.

Recipes to Try
Apple-Cinnamon Rice Pudding
Apple Cupcakes with Cinnamon-Marshmallow Frosting
Baked Apple-Cinnamon French Toast
Basil-Cinnamon Peaches
Cider-Glazed Roots with Cinnamon Walnuts
Cinnamon Oranges

More on Diabetes
Diabetic Diet Recipes and Menus
Healthy Holiday Eating for Diabetes
On the Spice Trail: Cinnamon to thwart diabetes and heart disease

Bottom line: Sprinkling a 1⁄2 teaspoon of cinnamon on your oatmeal in the morning can’t hurt, it’s tasty and it just may, over time, help ward off diabetes. But don’t go overboard. Animal studies suggest that a compound in cinnamon called coumarin may be toxic in high doses (although humans may not be as susceptible). Cinnamon oils are particularly concentrated, so steer clear. And if you have diabetes, don’t try cinnamon supplements without talking with your doctor: combining them with a prescription medication may be dangerous.