Chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are increasingly prevalent in the U.S. due to lifestyle factors such as bad diet, sedentary work or smoking, so any news about natural ways to protect the body from these health problems is potentially significant.

Scientists from the Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that a water soluble extract of cinnamon, which is rich in antioxidants, may be useful in mitigating risk factors for metabolic or cardiovascular conditions.

The international team — which included French and American academics as well as government scientists — recruited 22 obese volunteers who were diagnosed as prediabetics for a 12-week study based in Ohio. The condition is characterized by impaired glucose tolerance.

After dividing the participants into two groups, one of which was given 250 milligrams of a dried water-soluble cinnamon extract twice a day, and analyzing their blood samples, the researchers discovered that the treated individuals demonstrated lower levels of fasting glucose, a sign of better health, compared to the control group.

American Diabetes Association estimates that some 57 million people in the U.S. can be classified as prediabetics.