3) Blood sugar control. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. After food is digested it’s broken down into glucose. Glucose is the body’s main source of energy. It’s often referred to as blood sugar. Once insulin attaches to cells, other receptors are activated, which then allows cells to use glucose. Some people become diabetic, because their pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, but others are insulin resistant. This is because even though they produce insulin, their muscle and liver cells don’t respond properly to it. As a result, their body’s need more insulin, which in turn over works their pancreas. This can trigger the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Cinnamon helps normalize blood sugar levels by making muscle and liver cells more sensitive to signals from insulin. This improves the cells ability to absorb glucose from the blood. By the way…this action was found to be effective in animals as well.

4) Protection from heart disease and improve colon health. The essential oils in cinnamon are beneficial for health, but the  calcium, and dietary fiber found in cinnamon can be helpful in the prevention of different health conditions. Bile salts are chemicals produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. They help digest fats, but some research shows a link between too much bile salt production and colon cancer. The calcium and fiber found in cinnamon can bind to these bile salts, and remove them from the body. Also, when bile is removed, the body has to break down cholesterol to make more. This helps prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Diet or exercise question? Email me at dwcrocker77@gmail.com David Crocker of Landrum has been a nutritionist and master personal trainer for 26 years. He served as strength director of the Spartanburg Y.M.C.A., head strength coach S.C. state champion girls gymnastic team, USC-Spartanburg baseball team, Converse college equestrian team, and lead trainer L.H. Fields modeling agency. He served as a water safety consultant for the United States Marine Corps, and taught four semesters at USC-Union. David was a regular guest of the Pam Stone radio show.