Family Health Cinnamon May Cut Blood Sugar Levels BELTSVILLE, Md., Nov. 25 (UPI) -- A half teaspoon of cinnamon a day can reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics, according to a study by the Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, Md. However, researchers at the department's Human Nutrition Research Center do not advise increasing the consumption of cinnamon buns or apple pie because they are high in fat and sugar. However, soaking a cinnamon stick in a cup of tea or sprinkling some cinnamon on cereal could be beneficial. The active ingredient in cinnamon that lowers blood sugar is the water-soluble polyphenol compound called MHCP which mimics insulin, activates its receptor and works synergistically with insulin in cells, New Scientist reported. "We were looking at the effects of common foods on blood sugar," Richard Anderson told New Scientist. "One was the American favorite, apple pie, which is usually spiced with cinnamon. We expected it to be bad. But it helped." In the study, published in Diabetes Care, volunteers taking cinnamon also had lowered blood levels of fats and "bad" cholesterol, which are also partly controlled by insulin. Copyright 2003 by United Press International. All rights reserved. - Updated: December 2, 2003   Mustain Family Health & Home, along with all information provided, is for educational purposes only and is not an attempt to replace the need to seek healthcare services or to provide specific healthcare advice. We strongly encourage users to consult with their chiropractor or other qualified healthcare professionals for personal healthcare attention and answers to personal questions. Mustain Family Health & Home 11201 N. May Oklahoma City, OK 73120 Rick Mustain Mustain Chiropractic Clinic E-Mail: info@mustainhealth.org Phone: 405-751-0848 Fax: 405-752-5839 Published by Healthy Practices, Inc.     © 2001-2003 Healthy Practices, Inc. All rights reserved.