Cinnamon may cut risk of heart disease

New York May 7 (IANS) Consuming cinnamon -- a spice used in both sweet and savoury foods -- may lessen the risk of developing obesity diabetes and cholesterol caused by a high-fat diet researchers including one of Indian-origin have said.

The findings showed that high-fat diet activates the body s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory systems and slows the fat-storing process.

Researchers led by Vijaya Juturu from OmniActive Health Technologies in the US Morristown fed rats cinnamon supplements for 12 weeks along with a high-fat diet.

The results revealed that the rats weighed less and had less belly fat and healthier levels of sugar insulin and fat in their blood -- leading risk factors for cardiovascular diseases -- compared to those who did not receive cinnamon with their high-fat foods.

Rats fed with cinnamon also had fewer molecules involved in the body s fat-storing process and more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules that protect the body from the damages of stress the researchers said.

The study was presented at the American Heart Association s Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology/Peripheral Vascular Disease 2017 Scientific Sessions in Minnesota.

--IANS
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