It’s well known and understood that Americans are staring down an epidemic of chronic diseases in today’s day and age, and diabetes is one of the most fearsome and prevalent of all of these diseases.
About 37.3 million Americans currently have some form of diabetes according to the CDC, or 1 in 10 people. About 1 in 5 people with diabetes don’t know they have it, the CDC’s website added.
One of the best ways to prevent diabetes from taking control of your life is to manage your blood sugar.
This is no easy task for most people, especially considering the prevalence of sugar in a large percentage of packaged foods on store shelves.
But according to holistic doctor Josh Axe, there is one type of spice that helps control blood sugar levels like no other.
“Of All Herbs…on the Market Today, Cinnamon is Number One for Diabetes”
Dr. Axe is a doctor of chiropractic and certified doctor of natural medicine. He started a functional medicine center in Nashville, Tennessee, which he says became one of the most renowned clinics in the world.
Recently, he shared a recipe for his ‘Secret Detox Drink,’ which does more than what its name suggests.
This simple, five-ingredient drink was also crafted with diabetics in mind.
Dr. Axe also revealed his number one herb for people dealing with diabetes related side effects: cinnamon.
“This is one of the number one antioxidants on the entire planet,”
Dr. Axe said.
“Cinnamon is actually a fat soluble antioxidant, and it’s really good for balancing, actually of all herbs out there on the market today, cinnamon is number one for diabetes and balancing out blood sugar levels.
How Cinnamon Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
While cinnamon isn’t rich in vitamins and minerals like many other foods, it does have unique effects on most who consume it.
Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants that help your body defend against oxidative stress, which is part of why it’s so powerful for diabetes management and blood sugar control, according to Dr. Keith Pearson.
A few studies have demonstrated its effects and benefits.
In one, a group of scientists found that cinnamon had more antioxidants than 25 different herbs and spices, coming in second behind a similar dark brown spice, cloves.
Another study showed that people who took 500 mg of cinnamon extract daily for 12 weeks saw their oxidative stress decline by 14% in adults with prediabetes.
The reason why these findings are so significant is that oxidative stress is a precursor to nearly every chronic disease, including Type 2 diabetes, Dr. Pearson said.
Cinnamon also works by helping to “(imitate) the effects of insulin” and by “increasing glucose transport into cells,” Pearson added, according to an article by Healthline.com referencing studies on the spice’s positive effects on diabetes management.
Check out Dr. Axe’s “secret” five ingredient detox recipe below, which includes cinnamon and other healthy herbs for diabetes management including stevia.
How to Get More Cinnamon in Your Daily Diet
Cinnamon is a delicious and spice that goes well in your morning coffee, or in a powder added to healthy baked goods, pumpkin or sweet potato based foods, or other similar savory items.
There are two main types of cinnamon store shelves: cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon.