Cinnamon plant, mainly known for its bark which is widely used as a spice, was found in a recent study to be very beneficial against metabolic disorders due to its high content of antioxidant compounds. The small, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was led by Dr Anne-Marie Roussel from the Joseph Fourier University in France and her team, and is one of the first researches to check on and emphasize the beneficial effects of cinnamon intake on one's health. Due to its active compounds, cinnamon extract should be included in an individual's diet, as a regular consumption of the spice increases the natural defense shield of the body and its strength to fight oxidation and free-radicals.


Metabolic disorder does not refer only to a single health problem or disease, but to a cluster of conditions which includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels and high tryglicerides levels which can trigger cardiovascular disease, as well as obesity and insulin resistance. Dr Richard Anderson from the US Department of Agriculture who collaborated on the study pointed out the fact that cinnamon is very potent against all disorders present in the metabolic syndrome thanks to its high content of antioxidant compounds: "This study tells us that the active compounds found in cinnamon extract may be helpful in reducing the risk of these diseases by providing cells protection from harmful oxidation."


The study was conducted on 24 volunteers with impaired fasting glucose who were divided into two groups, with those in one group receiving a daily 500 mg dose of cinnamon extract and those in the other group receiving a placebo. The trial lasted for 12 weeks and overall results showed that the plasma antioxidant levels have been considerably increased in volunteers in the cinnamon supplementation groups as compared to antioxidant levels in the plasma of placebo group subjects. Also, active compounds in cinnamon extract proved to be very beneficial in reducing insulin resistance and increasing, therefore, insulin sensitivity.


Dr. Anderson cautioned that people with insulin resistance face high risks of developing fearful conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease: "People with impaired insulin function are at a higher risk of developing life-threatening chronic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, the number one killer in the US." This is why the current study is "extremely positive", as it offers new methods of preventing or treating insulin resistance-related diseases by using a natural and safe alternative: cinnamon.