Cinnamon Used to Help Diabetes

Cinnamon is a spice that has been used for medicinal properties since ancient times in ancient Egypt, China, and India. It is now grown in many countries all over the world. Recent studies show that cinnamon can help to keep blood sugar levels stable by enhancing insulin sensitivity and allowing more glucose in the blood to be used. Keeping blood sugar levels stable decreases sugar highs and lows, which may cause a diabetic to need less insulin. Cinnamon increases the ability of fat cells in diabetics to respond to insulin and there is an increase of glucose removal. The spice contains a substance called MHCP that is believed to be the reason for its benefits. Type II diabetes is a condition that causes cells to lose their ability to respond to insulin, which is the hormone that tells the body to remove excess glucose in the bloodstream.

Cinnamon can be bought in powdered form at most food shops and can be added to milkshakes or fruit juices to make it easier to drink. It is recommended that type II diabetics should take a quarter to one full teaspoon of cinnamon per day. Even a teaspoon of the spice each day might help to prevent the onset of diabetes.

Health Benefits of Onions

Onions belong to the lily family, which also includes garlic, leeks, chives, scallions, and shallots. Early American settlers used wild onions to treat colds, cough, asthma, and to repel insects. Onions are effective against many bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella, and E. coli. There are many different types of onions, including red, yellow, white, and green. Each different type of onion has its own unique flavor, from very strong to mildly sweet. The high level of sulfur-containing compounds gives onions their unique odor. The strongest smelling onions provide the most health benefits. The best choice is yellow onions, followed by red onions, and then white onions. They are a significant source of vitamins B6 and C, dietary fiber, chromium, folate, manganese, potassium, copper, and phosphorus.


There are many good health benefits involved with onions. A regular diet including onions can lower cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. This can help to prevent atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. It can also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Onions are able to increase good-type HDL cholesterol and reduce total cholesterol levels to make a person healthier. Onions are good for diabetics because they contain allyl propyl disulfide, which lowers blood sugar levels by increasing the amount of free insulin available. They also contain thiosulfinates that reduce the symptoms of diabetes. Colorful onions, such as red or yellow, contain the most thiosulfinates. It is best to eat onions raw or lightly cooked because heat diminishes thiosulfinates. Onions contain sulfides which might lower blood lipids and blood pressure.


Onions contain flavonoids, such as quercetin, that can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer by stopping the growth of tumors and protecting colon cells from the damaging effects of certain cancer-causing substances. The flavonoids improve the integrity of blood vessels and decreases inflammation. They also provide protection against cardiovascular disease. Quercetin protects the body against stomach ulcers and colon, esophageal, and breast cancers. Quercetin extract enhances physical performance and endurance.

Other interesting facts about onions are that onion extracts are good at relieving coughs and colds, asthma, and bronchitis. They decrease bronchial spasms and allergy-induced bronchial constriction in asthma patients. They are very rich in chromium, which is a mineral that helps cells respond to insulin. They are effective against osteoporosis. In osteoporosis, they destroy osteoclasts so that they don't break down bone.

Onions are safe to eat for most people but eating too much of this food may cause stomach distress and gastrointestinal irritation that might cause nausea or diarrhea. Cutting onions under cold running water is good at reducing watery eyes and eye irritation. Cut onions should either be stored in a sealed container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and immediately refrigerated. Uncut onions should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place.

The Health Benefits of Chamomile

Chamomile is a daisy-like plant that is originally found in Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean region. It has a long history of being used as a medicinal herb and as a tea. Its dried flowers are commonly used in herbal tea.

Chamomile has many health benefits associated with it. It can be used to reduce blood sugar and lower the levels of compounds that can cause diabetic complications. It has been found to be able to boost the immune system and fight illnesses. It can help intestinal discomfort with its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce gas. Its foliage and flower heads have been used as antispasmodics to reduce muscle spams and diaphoretics to help produce perspiration. It can also be used to relax the nerves, ease menstrual cramps, and help stomach ulcers. Chamomile creams can be used to help pain and reduce irritability on the skin, such as burns, wounds, eczema, chickenpox, and diaper rash. The longer and more regularly chamomile is used, the better it works.

New Options For Diabetic Patients

Two different companies named Bentley and Nastech are testing nasal insulin sprays for people who have diabetes. It is found that insulin is absorbed quicker and more efficiently when it is inhaled than when it is injected. There are also chemists that are developing a breath test to monitor sugar levels for diabetics.