How to make Cinnamon tea for Diabetes? 9 Health Benefits

Last Updated on May 4, 2023 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD

Natural remedies are mostly free from side effects if taken in an appropriate amount. Cinnamon can truly be regarded as a gift of nature in the betterment of diabetes. Cinnamon tea is a convenient recipe for everyone.

Morning Tea

You can call it a healthy morning potion.

Ingredients:

• ½- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1 cup of boiled water

To make cinnamon tea for Diabetes-

• Take one cup of water in a kettle or any other dish and boil it.
• When it comes to a boil, add a half teaspoon or less of cinnamon powder or crushed Cinnamon into the water.
• Bring the powdered water into a boil.
• Then filter it in a cup with the help of a strainer.

Adding a small amount of lemon may enhance the flavour and nutrition.

You can drink this tea in the morning on an empty stomach for better results. You can also add cinnamon powder or stick in regular black tea. It adds some sugary flavor to the drink.

After-meal Tea

This tea is mainly used to improve digestion and keep the blood glucose level in a desirable amount.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
• 3 cloves
• 3 teaspoon of fennel seeds
• 1 black pepper
• 1 cup of boiled water

Making procedure:

• Grind the dry ingredients
• Mix with the hot water
• Filter with a strainer

 Daily intake range of Cinnamon: 

You can take a maximum of 3-6 gm of Cinnamon in a day in the form of tea, coffee, or in other ways.

Health Benefits:

In ayurvedic medicine, Cinnamon is constantly used for various purposes. Sometimes we are unknown about the facts of using Cinnamon for our health benefits.

Though it is not internationally certified, Cinnamon can reduce blood sugar by increasing insulin sensitivity. Cinnamon is also called an insulin supplement by some nature researchers.

Diabetes is a lifestyle disease that is caused by the absolute or relative deficiency of insulin. It is characterized by hyperglycemia.

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The pancreatic beta cells are so sick that they can not produce insulin or the cells of the body become resistant to insulin. Thus insulin resistance develops.

• In the form of a healthy potion, Cinnamon can prominently improve blood glucose and cholesterol(LDL cholesterol and triglycerides) in type 2 diabetic patients.
• Thus it prevents diabetes from turning into other dreadful conditions such as cardiovascular disease and stroke.
• Some studies say that Cinnamon can also prevent postprandial hyperglycemia without causing any adverse effect on satiety.
• Obesity and overweight are hindrances to achieve a target blood sugar.
• Adequate daily consumption of cinnamon drinks or tea can significantly reduce weight.

Potentials of Cinnamon tea to manage Diabetes

Cinnamon is a medicinal plant. It has many healthy potentials. In diabetes, regular use of a certain amount of Cinnamon can change their health condition.

• Cinnamon consumption can stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin. This insulin can make the absorbed glucose available to the cell. In this way, blood glucose is maintained.

• Cinnamon can control the glucose entry rate into the body—the lower the quality, the lower the blood sugar. So, Cinnamon can prevent fasting blood sugar in type 2 diabetic patients.

• Digestive function is impacted by consuming Cinnamon. It improves digestion of the body, and so the sugar can be easily digested and absorbed. Excess sugar will pass out from the body. Thus the blood sugar regulation is possible.

• It has antioxidants that can improve insulin sensitivity.

Along with diabetes, cinnamon tea, or other recipes of Cinnamon can cause some other health benefits.

• It can boost up the immune system.
• Can relieve arthritis pain
• Has an anti-clotting property on blood
• Can prevent drug-resistant yeast infection
• Can help in preserving foods
• It can be a source of vital nutrients, iron, calcium, fibers, etc.
• Can reduce the proliferation of cancer cells( leukemia and lymphoma)

Eating Cinnamon in other ways: 

• Cinnamon water: Soak one or two sticks of Cinnamon in a cup of water. Drink it in the morning in the empty stomach.

• As a sweetener: Due to its sweet flavor, it can be used as an alternative to sugar in many desserts like cakes and pies. Traditional desserts such as kheer, halwa, barfi also can be made with Cinnamon.

• Use in oatmeal and muesli: Sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon powder into your oatmeal instead of sugar. It will add extra flavor to a healthy breakfast.

• Use in traditional cooking: It is the most common use of Cinnamon. Sauteing vegetables, meat, etc. with cinnamon sticks, cardamoms, cloves, and peppers gives the dish a pleasant smell and test.

Cinnamon as isolated management of Diabetes 

Cinnamon is a supplementary herb which is believed to have blood glucose management potential. You have to wise enough to choose it only as an alternative. Cinnamon should be used simultaneously with the prescribed drugs, regular diet, and exercise.

There are many studies done on the health benefits of Cinnamon. HbA1C, a standard measure of blood glucose over 3-4 months, is found low in regular cinnamon users.

The regular cinnamon users are also on their drug treatment and other restrictions. So, it will be unwise and life-threatening to rely on cinnamon tea alone.

Facts regarding Cinnamon Types 

Cinnamon, also known as dalchini or Daru Chini, is derived from wild cinnamon trees’ inner bark. It is a common spice that used in several dishes throughout the world.

The inner barks are rolled up after drying and become thick to form a stick. The sticks are ground into powder or used as extract or oil.

Cinnamaldehyde is a unique product present in the cinnamon oil, powder, or extract responsible for the aroma, flavor, and health benefits.

Cinnamon has two species; Cassia and Ceylon. Cassia is found beneficial in diabetic research. It is produced in southern China. Cassia is dark-brown red, has thicker sticks, and rougher texture than Ceylon.

It has a compound named Coumarin. It is quite toxic to liver. So use of cinnamon in patient with liver disease must be minimized.

Most of the cinnamons that are found in markets are of cassia variety. So the price is also low. About 95% of the oil is cinnamaldehyde, making the cassia cinnamon a more spicy one.

Ceylon cinnamon is hardly found and expensive. These are produced in the Caribbean islands, South America, Sri Lanka, and Southern India.

Many tight sticks with soft layers and tan-brown color define Cinnamon. The cinnamaldehyde percentage in the oil of Ceylon is 50-63%. So it has a moderate spicy content, which is more desirable.

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Unlike cassia, Ceylon doesn’t have any harmful components like Coumarin. So, it can be consumed by anyone without any hesitation.

The benefits of both varieties are more or less the same. The slight difference is due to the varied ratio of essential oil and the presence of Coumarin.

Ceylon is used less in human studies regarding diabetes and other diseases. So the appropriate daily amount is not determined.

In these cases, Cassia is more prominently used in human studies, and therefore their daily limit is noted as not exceeding 1-2 teaspoons.

Coumarin can negatively affect the liver, also the kidneys, and the lungs. As Ceylon has a shallow content of this, the use of it regularly is more preferable.

Avoiding criteria of Cinnamon:

People with liver disease or prone to develop them should avoid Cinnamon. We have already known about the facts of Coumarin. It has potential adverse action on the liver.

The liver is a multifunctional organ. Blood glucose regulation is hugely dependent on the liver. Any harm or damage to the liver affects the blood glucose level and diabetes.

Here Ceylon variety is suggested for it’s lower content of Coumarin.

Tips for using Cinnamon in Diabetes 

You’ve already enlightened about the fact that the appropriate amount must be assured in case of any natural remedy.

There are some unique facts that are also needed to be considered the while using Cinnamon in diabetes patients regularly.

• Maintain a food log.
• Follow a strict diabetic diet chart, including low glycemic foods.
• Take all the medications regularly.
• Take suggestions from your doctors before starting the use of Cinnamon. It may cause interactions with your ongoing medicines.
• The type of Cinnamon, which is suitable for your body and the amount it should be taken, must be verified.
• Use it as a flavoring agent in healthy foods such as oatmeal, muesli, etc.
• Avoid foods rich in Cinnamon like cinnamon rolls, sticky bread, etc.

Interactions with other treatment: 

Herbal treatments usually have no negative interactions with other therapies. Cinnamon is said to be safe in most cases.

As a part of health awareness, you must consult with your doctor before starting with Cinnamon. Any person taking a medicine that may have liver-damaging potential should not take cinnamons.

Both the medicine and Coumarin in the Cinnamon will combinedly cause damage to the liver. We know the importance of the liver in glucose metabolism. So, the Coumarin rich cinnamons are avoided in these patients.

To avoid interactions- 

Diabetic patients using cinnamon supplements should keep a log and write there about new or unusual symptoms. Then show it to their physician for further evaluation.

In this way, people may overcome problems regarding medicinal interactions. Also, they can make safe decisions about taking medicines.

Study reports regarding the authenticity of Cinnamon in diabetes management: 

Cinnamon is not medically suggested till now, as there is lack of detailed research.

Cinnamon is a sugar replacement and also mimics the effects of insulin. A bioactive constituent of Cinnamon named methyl hydroxy chalcone polymer(MHCP) is responsible for this effect.

MHCP sensitizes insulin in both the in-vivo(in rats) and in-vitro(adipocytes) experiments.

A clinical study declared that daily intake of a certain amount (below 10 gm) of Cinnamon was observed to reduce blood sugar, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides total cholesterol after 40 days among 60 middle-aged diabetic patients.

Another study in 2000 says about the improvement of insulin sensitivity by regular taking of Cinnamon.

A study showed that daily intake of 6 gm cinnamon is responsible for the fall in blood sugar level after meals.

In 2011, the Journal Of Medicinal Food also reviewed the potential of Cinnamon to reduce blood glucose.   

But in 2012-16, some studies did not find any scenario of blood glucose reduction relating to cinnamon consumption.

There was no short term and long term change in blood glucose.

A study in 2016 came into a conclusion that cinnamon use helps to manage poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. 

Here the participants were asked to take 1 g of Cinnamon for 12 weeks. There was a significant reduction in the fasting blood glucose level. HbA1C had a modest level.

Another study in 2016 reported the effect of Cinnamon on blood pressure. It does not affect blood pressure, body mass index, and body measurements.

Summary: 

In ayurvedic medicine, Cinnamon is widely used for many purposes, including diabetes. Also, many clinical studies also gave proof about the effects of Cinnamon on blood glucose.

Diabetic treatment and management comprise a healthy diet, medications, yoga, exercise, and some supplements.

So Cinnamon can not be used as a single remedy of diabetes. Instead, it might help diabetic patients to control blood sugar in a certain amount.

Nowadays, many stores and super shops are selling Cinnamon in tea and supplements for their versatile benefits.

It is a fantastic alternative to sugar. Deserts prepared with cinnamon powder are both healthy and delicious.

Enjoy your mixed fruit salad adding some cinnamon powder on top. It will lower the overall glycemic index.

However, some diabetic medications may cause liver damage. Cinnamon tea, especially the cassia variety, along with these medicines, will cause further destruction.

People already with liver failure or damage are at a significant risk of taking cinnamon tea or drinks. It is also highlighted that the amount of Coumarin present in Cinnamon causing liver damage is far more than the suggested amount by the doctors.

So, you need to start the Cinnamon in a lower amount. You have to modify the limit gradually.

Also, the Ceylon variety is recommended. Thus the side effects can be minimized.

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24019277/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28887086/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27618575/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22579946/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31895796/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22972104/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29605574/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28962661/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31425768/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30144878/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26177486/

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Dr Sharon Baisil MD

Medical Doctor at Beat Diabetes

Dr Sharon Baisil MD is an international award-winning doctor, known for creating innovative technologies for the prevention and treatment of Diabetes. He developed the android app called Beat Diabetes, which is presently the most downloaded diabetes app in India. It was chosen as ‘Diabetes-App of the Year’ globally by Healthline. Dr Sharon has helped over 100,000 individuals with Diabetes from 140 countries, during the past 4 years, to control their sugar levels. You can read all the best-selling Diabetes eBooks by Dr Sharon Baisil MD , by clicking here .  All the diabetes articles written by Dr. Sharon are thoroughly researched and draw from peer-reviewed journals like the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, ensuring the highest quality and reliability of information.

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