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The Uses for Cinnamon Capsules

The aromatic and flavorful spice cinnamon has historically had a range of uses. The ancient Chinese used it to keep food from spoiling while ancient Egyptians used cinnamon in their embalming processes. This spice is derived from the bark of evergreen trees found in parts of India, China, Madagascar, Brazil and the Caribbean. Today, cinnamon is most commonly used in cooking and baking. In addition to its culinary uses, cinnamon can also be taken in a capsule form or as an extract to treat a variety of health problems.

  1. Type 2 Diabetes

    • Cinnamon helps insulin break down glucose in the body, which aids diabetic people in controlling their blood sugar levels. According to the American Diabetes Association, the "intake of 1, 3 or 6 grams of cinnamon per day reduces serum glucose, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes." Cinnamon capsules may even help prevent the onset of diabetes by reducing diabetic risk factors such as obesity.

    Abdominal Fat

    • You can use cinnamon capsules to help decrease abdominal fat if you're pre-diabetic. The body tends to amass extra glucose as fat in the abdominal area. Since cinnamon enhances insulin's ability to process glucose, you won't accumulate that extra glucose in your belly region.

    Digestive Problems

    • Cinnamon capsules filled with extract help settle an upset stomach. Compounds called catechins in cinnamon soothe nausea and can help expectant mothers with morning sickness. You can also take cinnamon extract capsules for diarrhea and intestinal gas. The ingestion of cinnamon may even help prevent stomach ulcers caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori.

    Yeast Infections

    • Cinnamon extract contains antifungal properties that fight the fungus Candida albicans, which causes yeast inflections. You can take cinnamon extract capsules to help combat vaginal yeast infections and oral yeast infections --- also called thrush.

    Traditional Medicine

    • According to Chinese folk medicine, you can take cinnamon to help abate the chills, the flu, parasitic worms and coughs accompanied by white phlegm. Cultures in India and Europe prescribe cinnamon to warm cold hands and feet due to poor circulation. Other cultures use cinnamon to treat rheumatism, menstrual disorders, aching muscles and viral conditions such as colds.

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