Health News

April 5, 2006

According to two new studies, both cinnamon and cloves offer health benefits such as increasing insulin production and lowering cholesterol. These health benefits are especially beneficial to people who suffer from heart disease and diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes.

Previous research that suggested cinnamon has the ability to lower triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose levels by 10 percent to 30 percent. This new study offers additional support to the previous study.

Researchers found that cinnamon increases levels of three important proteins crucial to promoting normal insulin-signaling processes, a healthy inflammatory response, and efficient glucose transportation throughout the body.

Cloves were also proven to be a "super food." At the end of the study, regardless of the amount of cloves consumed, all those who ingested cloves showed a drop in glucose, triglycerides and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. Those who did not ingest cloves experienced no changes.

Although these common spices offer health benefits, doctors suggest seeking a means of consuming these spices other than in their powder form. Cinnamon in powder form is rendered ineffective by contact with saliva, and its lack of solubility in water can result in an unwanted build up of the spice in the body. Better ways to consume cinnamon would be using cinnamon sticks in hot water or cinnamon capsules that contain the cinnamon extract.