Cinnamon buns may not be diabetic-friendly, but adding a little cinnamon to your meals may help control the disease. Organic chemical compounds found in cinnamon, known as polyphenol polymers, may improve the effectiveness of insulin in people with type 2 diabetes and associated risk factors such as obesity, high cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease. At this time, however, there is little evidence to support these claims for cinnamon.
Blood Sugar
Cinnamon, combined with traditional medicine, may help control blood sugar levels. A study published in the December 2009 issue of "Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism" compared eight clinical trials evaluating cinnamon and blood sugar levels. Five trials studied type 2 diabetic patients, and three studied non-diabetic patients. The diabetic groups experienced a reduction of blood glucose ranging from 8 to 29 percent, while the non-diabetic groups reported no effects on blood glucose. The authors conclude cinnamon may prevent blood sugar from spiking and decrease post-meal-consumption blood sugar levels. Although dosing, treatments, age and study methods may contribute to the results, the findings are promising for further investigation.
Obesity and Heart Disease
Prediabetes is the last wake-up call for prevention of diabetes. In December 2006, the "Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition" published a study investigating the effects of cinnamon on metabolic syndrome, known as "prediabetes," which includes a constellation of health risks such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and elevated levels of blood glucose. Twenty-two participants were evaluated for body composition, blood analysis and health status and divided into two groups. For twelve weeks, participants consumed either 500 mg a day of water-soluble cinnamon or placebo. The results showed that the cinnamon group experienced decreases in fasting blood glucose, blood pressure and improvement in body composition; the placebo group experienced no changes. The authors conclude that in combination with a nutrient-rich diet and regular exercise, cinnamon may help reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Cholesterol
A Pakistani study, published December 2003 in "Diabetes Care," investigated the health effects of cinnamon and found positive results on blood sugar levels as well as cholesterol levels. Sixty diabetic participants were divided randomly into six groups and given either placebo or varying doses of cinnamon: 1 g, 3 g, or 6 g, for 40 days. The participants taking cinnamon experienced reductions in blood sugar, triglycerides and total cholesterol ranging from 7 to 30 percent; no changes were detected in the placebo groups.
Opposition
A group of U.S. researchers published a follow-up to the Pakistani study in the September 2007 issue of "Diabetes Care." Fifty-seven participants of mixed ethnic groups were randomly assigned to two groups taking either 1 g of cinnamon or placebo. Researchers found no change in either group after three months. The authors conclude that success may be population-dependent based on diet, medical therapy programs, ethnic background and body types.
According to Dr. Thomas Behrenbeck of the Mayo Clinic, 1 to 6 g of cinnamon daily may be too high and possibly have a negative effect on the processing of fats and sugar. He states there is little evidence that cinnamon lowers cholesterol.
References
- "Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism"; The Potential of Cinnamon to Reduce Blood Glucose Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Resistance; S. Kirkham, et al.; December 2009
- "Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition"; Effects of a Water-Soluble Cinnamon Extract on Body Composition and Features of the Metabolic Syndrome in Pre-diabetic Men and Women; Tim N. Ziegenfuss, et al.; December 2006
- "Diabetes Care"; Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People with Type 2 Diabetes; A. Khan, et al.; December 2003;
- "Diabetes Care"; Effect of Cinnamon on Glucose and Lipid Levels in Non-Insulin Dependent Type 2 Diabetes; Steve M. Blevins, et al; June 2007
- MayoClinic.com; Expert Answers: High Cholesterol; Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D.; September 2010
