Is cinnamon intake beneficial for type 2 diabetes patients? Study sheds light

Portugal: In type 2 diabetes patients, the ingestion of aqueous cinnamon extract (6 g/100 mL) does not significantly influence postprandial glucose response during an OGTT, a recent study has stated. However, cinnamon extract possesses a considerable antioxidant activity and inhibition capacity of reactive oxygen species.

Based on the above, the researchers in their study, published in the journal Nutrients, encourage the intake of aqueous cinnamon extract as a source of natural antioxidants owing to its high content in these compounds and respective antioxidant activity.

Cinnamon is an Indian spice that is used in traditional cuisine and has been investigated owing to its hypoglycemic properties. In the study, Ana Paula Rachid, Campus Universitário, Monte de Caparica, Portugal, and colleagues aimed to investigate (1) the effect of aqueous cinnamon extract (6 g cinnamon burmannii/100 mL) on postprandial glycemia levels in type 2 diabetic adults and (2) the total phenols content and antioxidant evaluation.

The clinical trial enrolled 36 adults with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. They were randomly allocated into two groups: the control group (n = 18) took only an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the intervention group (n = 18) took OGTT immediately followed by aqueous cinnamon extract (6 g/100 mL) ingestion. In both, groups, blood glucose levels were measured on fasting and after 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. 

 FRAP and DPPH methods were used for the chemical analysis of the aqueous cinnamon extract included total phenols content determination and antioxidant activity assessment. 

To conclude, "aqueous cinnamon extract did not significantly influence postprandial glucose response in diabetic patients during an OGTT."