Think of cinnamon and cinnamon rolls, cinnamon sugar and pumpkin pie may come to mind. But without the sugar, cinnamon can actually benefit your health. The bark and flowers of the cinnamon plant are sometimes used in medicine, and some studies suggest that cinnamon may help to lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Description
Cinnamon is available in ground, stick and capsule form. It is commonly used as a spice in cooking and as a flavoring in foods and beverages. One tsp. of ground cinnamon is equivalent to about 6 g. The two types of cinnamon are Ceylon and cassia, but cassia is the type most commonly sold in the United States, according to "Diabetes Self Management" magazine. The website notes that cinnamon has been used medicinally since ancient times.
Research
In a 2003 study published in the journal "Diabetes Care," blood sugar levels dropped in type 2 diabetics who took 1, 3 or 6 g of cinnamon daily. Their cholesterol also improved. Research in 2007 at Malmo University Hospital in Sweden found that a little more than 1 tsp. of cinnamon helped to lower blood sugar in study participants who ate a dessert of rice pudding. In still another study, cinnamon improved hemoglobin A1C in people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. A1C is a measure of average blood-sugar levels, according to the Mayo Clinic. Exactly how cinnamon lowers blood sugar isn't known, but one theory is that it increases insulin action, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Caution
More research is needed to confirm these findings. And some studies of cinnamon show no benefit for blood-sugar control, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. While the amounts of cinnamon in foods are likely safe, large amounts taken long-term could cause or worsen liver disease, according to MedlinePlus. Keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate cinnamon supplements. It's important to consult your doctor before taking cinnamon for blood-sugar control. Cinnamon for blood-sugar control should supplement, not replace, other diabetes treatment.
Tips
If you would like to try cinnamon for blood-sugar control, start by sprinkling the powered form on your toast, cereal or yogurt or adding it to your coffee or cocoa. Cinnamon is often sprinkled on bananas to give the fruit some zing. "Women's Health" magazine notes that cinnamon is easy to add to foods you already like and makes everything taste better. Plus, this healthy spice has zero calories. Consider substituting cinnamon for sugar in recipes. Because type 2 diabetes is tied to excess weight, using cinnamon to reduce calories and sugar intake may also help with blood-sugar control.
References
- Medline Plus: Cassia cinnamon
- MayoClinic.com: Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?
- DiabetesSelfManagement.com: "Can cinnamon help you control your diabetes?;" Amy Campbell; Oct. 10, 2006
- Reuters.com: "A Spoonful of Cinnamon Helps Blood Sugar Stay Down;" June 20, 2007
- "Diabetes Care;" Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People with Type 2 Diabetes; Alum Khan, et al.; December, 2003
