By Kathryn Ayers

Cinnamon, one of the world’s most popular culinary spices, could play a significant role in the battle against metabolic syndrome, according to a study presented last fall at the American College of Nutrition’s annual meeting. An ever-more prevalent condition that increases the risk of type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and, perhaps, a host of other chronic diseases, metabolic syndrome is characterized by central obesity (otherwise known as a potbelly), high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. Anywhere from 25 to 32 percent of Americans (75 million to 96 million people) have the condition.

The new study found that cinnamon extract increases antioxidant levels in the blood and thus reduces oxidative stress, a contributing factor in CVD. The study, conducted in France, gave participants 500 mg of extract a day for 12 weeks. In addition to the increased presence of antioxidants, the study found that a compound related to oxidative stress decreased as well.

These findings further boost cinnamon’s healthy reputation—previous studies had shown that the spice reduced blood glucose levels and lowered blood pressure, completing the metabolic syndrome trifecta. Readers eager to increase their cinnamon intake should note that while culinary levels are safe, studies have found some toxicity in large quantities of the whole spice and in its essential oil. This study used a commercial extract, Cinnulin PF, that reportedly contains all of cinnamon’s healthy compounds and none of its potentially harmful ones.

Author: Kathryn Ayers

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