Cinnamon may help control blood sugar and progression of diabetes: Study

Earlier studies have shown that cinnamon, a commonly used spice provides many health benefits, including the ability to lower blood sugar and help manage diabetes.Cinnamon contains bioactive components that can help lower blood sugar levels.

The incidence of type II diabetes is increasing across the world. Dietary modifications help the patients to control blood sugar. Traditional herbs and spices are commonly used for control of blood sugar among which cinnamon (Ròu Guì; Cinnamomum cassia) has the greatest effect.

With increasing number of patients of diabetes, Identifying strategies to prevent the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes has become challenging, yet it is important to find measures to control blood sugar in patients with Prediabetes or overt diabetes.

"Our 12-week study showed beneficial effects of adding cinnamon to the diet on keeping blood sugar levels stable in participants with prediabetes," said the study's corresponding author, Giulio R. Romeo, M.D., of Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Mass. "These findings provide the rationale for longer and larger studies to address if cinnamon can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time."

The randomized clinical trial investigated the effects of cinnamon supplementation in 51 participants with prediabetes. Participants were given a 500 mg cinnamon capsule or placebo three times a day for 12 weeks. The researchers found that cinnamon supplements lowered abnormal fasting glucose levels and improved the body's response to eating a meal with carbohydrates, which are hallmarks of prediabetes. Cinnamon was well tolerated and was not associated with specific side effects or adverse events.

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The manuscript, "Influence of Cinnamon on Glycemic Control in Subjects with Prediabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial," was published online.