Health

High-dose Cinnamon May Help Lower Blood Sugar (But First, Some History)

Taking a cinnamon supplement may help with blood glucose levels, and slow progression from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes.

Photo by Mae Mu on Unsplash

Today, we look at new research supporting the use of the spice cinnamon to lower blood sugar. Let’s look back at the spice’s origin and history before we get to this exciting news.

True cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is native to Sri Lanka and has a long history. Egypt imported it, including for use in the embalming process. Gaius Plinius Secundus, more commonly known as Pliny, the Elder served as an author, natural philosopher, naturalist, and Roman Empire commander. Here is what Pliny the Elder observed about cinnamon in the first century A.D. :

Three hundred fifty grams of cinnamon is equal in value to over five kilograms of silver, about fifteen times the amount of silver per weight.

Photo by Ruth Gledhill on Unsplash

Medieval physicians used cinnamon as medicine

Cinnamon, as a medicinal agent, has historical roots. Indeed, physicians in medieval…