Tumeric (Curcumin) and Cinnamon Lower Insulin and Triglycerides

Feeding overweight men two tablespoons of antioxidant spices with a high-fat meal lowered their insulin response by 21 percent and their triglyceride response by 31 percent. The researchers used high antioxidant spices, such as tumeric and cinnamon.  “Antioxidants, like spices, may be important in reducing oxidative stress and thus reducing the risk of chronic disease,” said study co-author Ann Skulas-Ray of Penn Sate.

Insulin resistance locks in the problem of weight gain and sends a person on the path to type 2 diabetes. Excessively elevated levels of fat in the blood, known as triglycerides, are now viewed as one of the most important indicators predicting the risk for heart attack and stroke.

The spices used in the study were rosemary, oregano, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, cloves, garlic powder and paprika. These spices were selected due to their scientifically-documented antioxidant properties and a number of previous studies indicating their benefits to metabolism.