The Effect of Cinnamon on Blood Glucose Level in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic syndrome that is increasingly globalized. Many studies are currently focused on the anti-hyperglycemic effects of safe and harmful herbal products including cinnamon. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of cinnamon on blood glucose, HbA1C, and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients because of inconsistency in the results of previous studies.

This double blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 69 male and female diabetic patients with mean fasting blood glucose level of 202.16 ± 44.30 in Zahedan, Iran. Subjects were divided into three groups (two groups receiving cinnamon recipients with doses of 2 and 4 g and control group). Subjects received 4 capsules daily for 12 weeks. After 8 hours of fasting, blood samples were taken at the beginning of the intervention and weeks 4, 8 and 12 were measured to measure fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance and HbA1c. One-way ANOVA and Repeated Measurement and SPSS software were used to analyze the data.

At the end of week 8 and 12, a statistically significant decrease in mean fasting blood glucose, HbA1C and insulin resistance was observed in the experimental groups (Cinnamon 2 and 4 g daily) compared to the control group (P <0.001). Also at the end of week 12, the glucose and HbA1C variables were significantly different between the two experimental groups receiving cinnamon (P <0.001).

Long-term consumption of high-dose cinnamon is effective as a low-risk supplement for controlling blood glucose and improving the health of people with diabetes.