About two months ago I read that about 1/2 teaspoon of regular, ground cinnamon can help control blood sugar.  Since I had gestational diabetes during my pregnancy I thought I'd try it to help keep real diabetes away.

The effects were almost instant (possibly instant, since I wasn't expecting any changes, so I wasn't paying attention).  It was like taking medication.  All of a sudden I had very little appetite and lots of energy.  That's the exact opposite of the way I normally feel.

The weird thing is, that at first I didn't want to tell anyone about because I selfishly wanted to lose weight and make it look easy.  Then I got mad at myself for that attitude and started sharing it with everyone who would listen.  Guess what?  No one cared.  Not even friends who've been on diets their entire life.  I've told at least a dozen people and I don't think even one has tried it. 

Anyway, cinnamon will probably only work for you if you have blood sugar problems, but it's cheap and worth a try.  The only thing to consider is that it's also a blood thinner so if you're already taking blood thinners or have naturally thin blood you may want to talk to a doctor.

I've lost 17 pounds in two months and I feel great so I hope it works for someone else out there.  Sorry for the long post. 

I don't have blood sugar problems, but struggling with weight loss I'll try anything, so thanks for sharing! What do you usually put it in?

I have oatmeal in the morning and usually sprinkle it on that, or cereal, or yogurt.  I wouldn't try baking or cooking it, that might affect how it works.

Besides the gestational diabetes (which, okay, was a pretty big clue) I didn't realize I had blood sugar problems either.  I thought I'd try it to prevent future blood sugar problems.  I'd recommend this to anyone who feels hungry all the time and doesn't have much energy.

kkwg,

Awesome post.  I've heard about the appetite suppressing powers of cinnamon but like your dozen friends I guess I just never really tried it.  How often are you eating it?  Once a day mixed into your breakfast?  I have blood sugar problems, and I'm definitely going to give this a try tomorrow morning.  I'm ready to eat a half teaspoon just by itself.  Is that crazy?

By the way, I love that you said you thought about keeping it a secret then got mad at yourself and decided to share.  Why do we do demented things like that??  I've definitely been able to relate to that kind of strange move.  Very cool of you for sharing, thank you for doing it.  =)

UPDATE:  DO NOT TRY EATING A HALF TABLESPOON OF CINAMMON.  I ALMOST CHOKED!  But guess what!  I think it really worked (once i gave myself CPR) and it calmed my low sugar issues.  I'm a believer! 

 

thanks for the post - think ive lost about 50cals from the cinnamon already as ive just marched up and down the high street looking for a shop that sells it. Im desperate to stop this mornings cravings, sitting at my desk its not even 11am and ive already had porridge, 3x crackers with cheese and have urge to eat more, im not hungry just bored and work and seem to be craving madly.

I have heard that cinnamon can be helpful in blood sugar regulation, and I have been thinking about trying it, thanks to your post I will for sure now!  FYI, you can also find cinnamon capsules at the drugstore, or Costco.

Wow, I kind of gave up and stopped checking to see if anyone responded. 

Skinnywedding, thanks for the compliments, I really hope this works for you.  Don't eat it straight though,  I mix it into oatmeal or cereal, I really like it with raisin bran, but whatever works for you.

Chelseagirl and Heatherhoney, I just use cheap, ground cinnamon from the spice section of my grocery store.  I've heard the supplement style cinnamon works too but it's not worth the extra money because ground cinnamon works just fine.

One of the weirder things about this whole thing is that it changed the time of day I'm hungry.  I used to be starving in the evenings and now I'm at my hungriest around lunch time. 

I really hope this works for people and that the word gets out because it's changed my life entirely.  I could never stick to diets because I was so hungry, I think this one is actually going to work and change into a lifestyle.

Skinnywedding, I only usually eat it once a day in the morning.  If I'm having a really hungry day (rare now) I'll have a second dose in the afternoon. 

 

had to laugh about skinnywedding trying it by itself because I did the same thing with the same result. I was going to warn you not to try that but then read that you already had. I tried that a while back and gave up on the idea when it seemed too hard, but I will try putting it in oatmeal. Thanks kkw !

I am definitely going to try this!! Maybe putting it in applesauce for me, because I'm not such a huge fan of oatmeal.  Could you eat it plain if you could manage not inhaling it??

It has been proven that cinnamon can help control your blood sugar-- well really, it helps your body's insulin response.  There are a ton of articles about it- here is one:

Why People Use This Herb:

Abdominal pain
Chest pain
Common Cold
Diarrhea
Fungal Infections
Gynecological disorders
High Blood Pressure
kidney problems
Pain
Rheumatism
Diabetes

Commission E has approved cinnamon for use when there is complete loss of appetite and dyspeptic complaints. Cinnamon will cause increased intestinal activity.

In addition, folk medicine internal uses include infantile diarrhea, chills, influenza and worm infestation. Cinnamon is used eternally for cleaning wounds. Indian medicine used cinnamon for toothaches, nausea and vomiting as well as halitosis (bad breath).
Studies done by Japanese researchers shows that Cinnamon contains a substance that is both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. It also helps control other virulent actions by micro-organisms including the bacteria that causes Botulism and Staph. Aureus, which causes staph infections and impetigo. Many fungi and molds produce aflatoxin, which is a potent poison and carcinogen. Cinnamon has been shown to be devastating to them. It has also been shown to suppress E. coli (which is a common contaminant causing food poisoning) and Candida albicans (which is the common cause of yeast infections).

Cinnamon works to calm the stomach and is helpful in chest, back, and neck pain.
Cinnamon is used by many people to naturally lower their blood sugar if it is high. It is often taken with meals by capsule.

It reduces milk flow.

It will also stop a uterine hemorrhage and excessive menstrual flow. It has been used for discomfort and pain in menopause. Not recommended for use during pregnancy in doses higher than you would find if it is used as a seasoning in foods.
To make cinnamon tea: Pour 1 cup of hot water over approximately 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Strain after 10 minutes, if desired. A cup of cinnamon tea can be drank 2 to 4 times a day.

Wow, thanks for the info erinid. 

Gooselovin, if you could manage not to inhale it you could eat it by itself, but that would be difficult.  I would at least suggest mixing it with tea (it doesn't really dissolve but you can drink it down in one gulp if you aren't crazy about the taste).

thank you for sharing!
im definately gonna try this.
id never heard of cinnamon having such effects, but with the responses here im sure ill have to see for myself.

I have always loved cinnamon.  Probably my favorite spice, but I never knew it was so good for you!  I like to mix it into peanut butter and dip apples into it, or mix it with sugar and put it over peanut butter on toast or a bagel.  I never thought about putting it in oatmeal or cereal though, I'm going to have to try that!

The best is with oatmeal and applesauce, or walmart brand raisin bran.  I've also mixed it with special k, not quite as good though.

i just stole my mother-in0law's un-opened container of cinnamon and am dousing my fiber one with it tomorrow!!!!  thank you so much for the inside scoop!!

I'm diabetic, and I've been taking cinnamon capsules twice a day for years.

 =^..^= MOLLY

i love cinnamon - i put it in my coffee often.  either in the grinds or just sprinkled in my cup.  oatmeal sucks without cinnamon, a lil sugar and some milk (in my opinion) and applesauce is even saucier with cinnamon.  it's also good in tea.  try an herbal orange spice or apple tea for example or a regular black tea.  use a flavored green tea and get the metabolism boost from the tea plus the blood sugar regulation from the cinnamon all in one cup (not to mention antioxidants). 

great post.  i shall sprinkle my cinnamon with greater gusto now. :P  i'll also share with my mom who is borderline diabetic and has had blood sugar issues forever.

thanks for sharing :)

I've heard that cinnamon also helps with cholestorol.

I put it in my morning coffee or in the grounds as often as I think about it.  Lately I've been having a packet of hot cocoa with cinnamon sprinkled on top at night.

Hmmm...interesting stuff.

I really like cinnamon. I might have to start adding a bit to my oatmeal in the morning.

Count me in, I am going to give it a good try.   I enjoy the flavor.