Cinnamon and Cloves: They’re Not Just for Apple Pie Anymore

By Deborah Lambeth

The apple is a very nutritious fruit because it contains antioxidants that fight cancer and other diseases. Two spices that are key ingredients to an apple pie, cinnamon and cloves, have recently been found to be very helpful in preventing cardiovascular disease as well as helping people with Type-2 diabetes.

Dr Richard Anderson from the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, within the US Department of Agriculture, is the forefront researcher on the benefits of these two spices. Anderson explained, "Previous in vitro and laboratory studies have indicated that compounds found in cloves, like those found in cinnamon, appear to increase insulin efficiency. This abstract extends this work to humans and demonstrates that consumption of as little as 1g of cloves by people with type 2 diabetes leads to improvements in blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, and triglycerides." Anderson added, "The major contribution of this study is that it demonstrated that consumption of cloves may be important in the alleviation of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in humans."

Earlier work by Anderson's group has indicated that components of cinnamon can improve insulin function, at least in laboratory studies. Results of these studies were recently presented at the 2006 Biology Symposium held in California. Dr. Anderson’s research found that "cinnamon appears to increase insulin efficiency such that less insulin is required. "This is important, since most people with type 2 diabetes do not have too little insulin but have elevated levels of insulin that is not efficient." When there are high levels of circulating insulin damage can be done to the kidneys, eye problems can develop, as well as arteriosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Does this mean you have to start chewing on cloves and eating apple pie every night? Although that would be delicious, you don’t have to change your diet that drastically. Cinnamon toast, ham with cloves, and yes, even apple pie can increase your consumption of two very basic spices with now newly discovered benefits. As with anything you consume, start in small increments and use good products. Spices tend to have short shelf lives, so mark on the container when you purchase them. In addition, don’t stop taking medication and be sure to talk with your doctor before you begin anything new. Hopefully you will soon join the many who have already started seeing benefits.