Before type 2 diabetes, there is prediabetes. Researchers believe they’ve found a natural way to keep blood sugar levels under control so that you don’t go on to type 2 diabetes. Find out what it is.
5 million French people suffer from type 2 diabetes. This disease is characterized by an excessively high level of glucose in the blood, which can have serious consequences on health.
Before becoming type 2 diabetics, those affected go through the prediabetes phase. The latter’s blood sugar level is a bit high but not high enough to talk about diabetes. While normal fasting blood sugar should be less than 1.10 g / L, it is between 1.10 g / L and 1.25 g / L for prediabetes. Beyond 1.26 g / L, we talk about diabetes. Problem: 80% of untreated prediabetes turn into type 2 diabetes.
Researchers seem to have found a very effective way to control blood sugar in prediabetic patients, to avoid the dreaded transition to type 2 diabetes: cinnamon. The results of their work are published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
Prediabetes: Cinnamon Helps Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
To reveal the amazing effects of cinnamon on prediabetes, researchers followed 51 volunteer patients with this glycemic disorder. They had to consume a capsule containing 500 mg of cinnamon or a placebo three times a day for 12 weeks.
Researchers found that cinnamon supplements lowered blood glucose levels. Cinnamon was also well tolerated, no specific side effects were reported. “Our study showed the beneficial effects of adding cinnamon to the diet to keep blood sugar stable in participants with prediabetes,” confirms Giulio R. Romeo, co-author of the study.
While these results are promising, the best way to avoid the transition from prediabetes to diabetes is to change your lifestyle. This requires establishing a balanced diet, regular physical activity and weight loss.