November is American Diabetes Month: Cinnamon May Help Regulate Blood Glucose

For those who follow us on Twitter (ACHSedu), you already know that November is American Diabetes Month. Sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Month raises awareness for diabetes prevention and the new Stop Diabetes movement. How will you help stop diabetes?

As part of your diabetes education, check out the recent study in the Diabetic Medicine journal exploring the potential use of cinnamon in regulating blood glucose and blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes. Who knew of of the oldest traditional plants used for digestive troubles (and for culinary and flavoring purposes), may also help with type 2 diabetes!

The October study "Glycated haemoglobin and blood pressure-lowering effect of cinnamon in multi-ethnic Type 2 diabetic patients in the UK: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial" tested 58 patients with type 2 diabetes and concluded that: "The intake of 2 g of cinnamon for 12 weeks showed reduction in HbA1c levels, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure within patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. These results indicate that cinnamon should be considered in addition to standard therapy to regulate blood glucose and blood pressure levels to treat patients with type 2 diabetes."

READ more about the Diabetic Medicine study HERE.

* This information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. You should always consult with your primary care physician before making any changes to your health and wellness routine.

Quinoa: A recipe for health

Is quinoa (KEEN-wah) the new couscous? Seems to be. It’s all over the Web—quinoa, the new must-have ingredient. And why not? It has great flavor. It has great texture. It has a simple no-fuss, no-muss presentation and is easy to make.

Why not?, indeed. No reason we can think of! Quinoa is a rich source of fiber, higher in protein than many other grains, and a good source of iron and magnesium. Plus, it cooks quickly, is relatively inexpensive, and is versatile—you can make quinoa as a side dish or add savory ingredients for a main dish. You can even use quinoa in place of rice, as the American Dietetic Association recommends.

Far from “new,” quinoa is native to South America and the “Andean Indians who first cultivated it call it ‘the mother grain,’” the Atlantic explains in a recent article, “Quinoa: The Story of a Cursed Crop.” Quinoa, the article explains, “provides 50 percent more energy than potatoes” and “is the only staple crop that provides a full suite of amino acids.” But the journey from ‘mother grain’ to American staple was not an easy one. Click here to read the Atlantic’s two-part article about quinoa’s journey from South America to our dinner plates.

Also, check out Well, The New York Times health and wellness blog, for the September 24 post “There’s Something About Quinoa.” Blogger Tara Parker-Pope includes several links to quinoa-based recipes like stir-fried quinoa with vegetables and tofu.

One small note: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) website warns that for people with Celiac disease, “quinoa may not be entirely safe.” Instead, the ADA suggests a rice-based pasta or a potato-rice pasta.

What are your favorite quinoa recipes? Post them here and together we'll build a Healthy Cooking with Quinoa collection!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This article has been provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.