Cinnamon has a long history of culinary and medicinal use. The spice has served as an anti-microbial, gastrointestinal remedy and female tonic for menstrual cramps. It has gained new attention for its possible role in controlling insulin sensitivity. This latter purpose poses both promise and concern for diabetics. Diabetes describes a condition in which the body either cannot produce enough insulin or is resistant to insulin's sugar-lowering effects. Because of cinnamon's possible effect on blood sugar, you should not begin taking it without consulting your doctor, especially if you have a pre-existing condition.
Hypoglycemic Properties
One focus of research on cinnamon has been on its hypoglycemic properties or its ability to lower blood sugar. Maintaining normal blood glucose levels is the foundation of diabetes management. A study by the Second Military Medicinal University in China published in the February 2011 issue of "Phytomedicine" looked at the effects of cinnamon extract on diabetic mice. After 14 days of treatment, the treated mice showed significantly lower blood sugar concentrations.
Insulin Sensitivity
Another area of concern lies with cinnamon's effects on insulin sensitivity. This ability is of special concern for diabetics because cinnamon could affect the impact of diabetes medications, warranting an adjustment in dosages. A 2010 review by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service showed that cinnamon had positive effects on insulin resistance, making individuals more likely to respond appropriately to insulin. However, researchers point out that individual differences may affect the degree to which cinnamon is beneficial. These findings show the need for additional research on the efficacy of cinnamon.
Weight Control
Maintaining a healthy weight is vital for diabetics and all individuals. The American Diabetes Association explains that even losing a few pounds can improve diabetes management. Cinnamon may offer a complementary supplement for achieving this health goal. A study by Kyung Hee University in the Republic of Korea published in the April 2011 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" identified the specific mechanism by which cinnamon helps control fat accumulation. These findings back an earlier study by Joseph Fourier University in France that attributed weight management to the improved insulin sensitivity from using cinnamon. The French study appeared in the September 2010 "Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics."
Guidelines for Use
Although allergic reactions are a possibility with any dietary supplement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies cinnamon as "generally recognized as safe." Drugs.com reports that dosages ranging from 1 to 1.5 g per day are generally safe with diabetes medications. Evidence does not support cinnamon's use as a sole treatment for diabetes. Because it may affect your body's response to your diabetes medication, consult your doctor before taking cinnamon for diabetes management.
References
- Drugs.com: Cinnamon
- "Phytomedicine"; Hypoglycemic Activities of A- and B-Type Procyanidin Oligomer-Rich Extracts From Different Cinnamon Barks; Z. Lu, et al.; February 2011
- "Diabetes Care"; Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes---2008; American Diabetes Association; January 2008
- "Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology"; Cinnamon: Potential Role in the Prevention of Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes; B. Qin, et al.; May 2010
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Cinnamaldehyde Prevents Adipocyte Differentiation and Adipogenesis via Regulation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ (PPARγ) and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) Pathways; B. Huang, et al.; April 2011
- "Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics"; Cinnamon Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Alters the Body Composition in an Animal Model of the Metabolic Syndrome; K. Couturier, et al.; September 2010
