Imagine that a simple gesture, like sprinkling a pinch of spice into your morning coffee or yogurt, could transform the way your body processes sugar.
For the millions of French people concerned about their figure or their metabolic health, this promise seems almost too good. However, far from being a simple grandmother’s tip, its effectiveness is based on a concrete biological reality: it acts directly on the way our body processes carbohydrates.
A real impact on insulin and fat storage
The appeal of cinnamon doesn’t just lie in its comforting scent. According to Dr. Laure Martinat, “Cinnamon has the property of improving the carbohydrate balance, the sugar balance in the body, because it contains molecules that improve insulin sensitivity.
By optimizing this hormone, the spice facilitates the entry of glucose into our cells rather than letting it stagnate in the blood. This effect has a direct consequence on our silhouette.
“By limiting sugar peaks after meals and therefore insulin peaks, it will reduce fat storage and reduce sweet cravings. specifies the expert.
However, it qualifies the often exaggerated “fat-burning” aspect. “This is why it has an indirect effect on weight loss, but it is not a plant aimed directly at slimming.
Be careful when choosing the variety
Not all cinnamon is created equal, and any cinnamon may be harmful. It is crucial to check the label of your bottles or dietary supplements. Dr Martinat insists: “It absolutely has to be Ceylon cinnamon and not Chinese cinnamon.“.
The reason is simple: the Chinese variety contains coumarins, molecules which, “at high doses and prolonged consumption, are toxic to the liver“.
Although Chinese cinnamon is more common and less expensive, choose Ceylon quality, which is safer for daily consumption.
A global shield against cholesterol and lipids
The benefits of this spice go beyond simple glucose management. It proves to be a valuable ally for people with a metabolic profile at risk, particularly those suffering from high cholesterol or triglycerides.
By activating certain enzymes, it limits the synthesis of fats. “Cinnamon also improves the lipid balance, that is to say the lipid, cholesterol and triglyceride balance.explains the doctor.
It is an interesting natural aid when the attending physician advises hygienic and dietary measures before considering drug treatment.
How to integrate it into your routine for maximum effect?
To obtain a therapeutic effect, the classic dietary dose can sometimes be insufficient or boring. Dr Laure Martinat recommends a mixed approach: integrate organic cinnamon powder regularly into your recipes (coffee, yogurt, oatmeal) and, if necessary, opt for a course of food supplements.
“In general, we recommend between 250 and 500 mg per day of cinnamon extract, preferably taken during the richest meal of the day for 4 to 8 weeks. she concludes.
For those who prefer cooking, one to two teaspoons per day are enough to benefit from its properties on fasting hyperglycemia.
Finally, if cinnamon stands out as one of the most powerful spices for regulating sugar, it is not alone: turmeric, ginger or fenugreek also offer antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties.
However, in the context of diabetes or a chronic pathology, these spices remain supplements and not medicines. It is essential to seek the advice of a healthcare professional before starting a treatment, in order to ensure the correct dosage and to avoid any interaction with current treatment.