Friday, February 4, 2011

Cloves and Cinnamon Health Benefits

Cloves and cinnamon are important spices which have wide ranging health benefits. Fenugreek is another spice which is useful in the treatment of diabetes 

There are several health benefits of spices. Obesity, lack of exercise and high calorie food lead to complications and increase the risk of heart attack in diabetics. To reduce the risk, blood sugar must be kept under control. Cloves and cinnamon are two spices that are available easily and can help you to fight diabetes.
Cloves
Wikimedia Commons: Jorge Barrios

Health Benefits of Cloves

Cloves are grown in Indonesia, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. It is an essential ingredient of Indian cuisine. Studies have shown that cloves increase the function on insulin in type 2 diabetes, lower glucose and LDL cholesterol levels. They contain an active ingredient called eugenol. It makes a very good antiseptic and analgesic. It is a very good antioxidant. Researchers have found that it is a better antioxidant than garlic, pepper, ginger and onion. It also reduces blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. Eating two cloves a day can substantially reduce the chances of a heart attack in diabetics

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice grown in South East Asia. It is an inner bark of a tree. Cinnamon can lower LDL cholesterol. Half teaspoon of cinnamon powder with honey provides relief for arthritis. 

Studies have shown that cinnamon can reduce blood sugar levels significantly. In type 2 diabetes pancreas produces insufficient quantities of insulin. Cinnamon activates essential enzymes in the body and stimulates the receptor cells so that they respond better to insulin. This reduces the chance of heart attack in diabetics. 

It is suggested to add half teaspoon of cinnamon to hot water and drink it daily. Cinnamon can also mix with fruit juice or milkshake for drinking.
It helps keep blood sugar levels in check, avoids complications and helps to reduce the heart attack in diabetics.  

Health Benefits of Fenugreek

Fenugreek helps to control the glucose metabolism and is very useful in the treatment of type II diabetes. It helps to lower cellular insulin resistance. It is a blood thinner and helps to prevent heart attacks and strokes in diabetics.

Fenugreek has been found to reduce the blood glucose levels up to 46 percent in type II diabetes. It increases the levels of antioxidants and reduces the oxidation of lipids in case of type 2 diabetes. It also helps to fight against the diabetes related cataracts. It can reduce the density of cataracts in diabetics. The seeds are rich in a type of dietary fiber and help to reduce the absorption of sugar by the intestine.

These are some of the health benefits of cloves cinnamon and fenugreek.

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