Fact Check: Can Cinnamon Powder, Warm Water and Apple Cider Vinegar Fix Diabetes Overnight?

A viral Instagram reel claims that Cinnamon Powder, Warm Water and Apple Cider Vinegar Fix Diabetes Overnight is FALSE.

Claim

A viral Instagram reel is titled with a claim that Cinnamon Powder, Warm Water and Apple Cider Vinegar can Fix Diabetes Overnight. According to the user yostwellnesscenter, this is a very effective home remedy to reverse diabetes and regulate blood sugar overnight. The user says before bedtime mix one teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a glass of warm water and add a tbsp of apple cider vinegar. Stir this well and as per the user drink this mixture to take advantage of cinnamon's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and apple cider vinegar has the potential to lower blood sugar levels. Additionally consume a small handful of soaked fenugreek seeds which are known for their glucose-lowering properties. As per the user, this combination can aid in maintaining stable blood sugars overnight which supports overall diabetes management. The post has 6000+ likes and can be accessed here. 

Claim: This claim is False. Cinnamon Powder, Warm Water and Apple Cider Vinegar cannot Fix Diabetes Overnight. 

What is Diabetes?

According to WHO, “Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use it. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose. Hyperglycemia, also called raised blood glucose or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.” Certain symptoms of diabetes include polydipsia (feeling thirsty), polyurea (frequent urination), blurred vision, feeling tired and unintentional weight loss. (1)

Can Diabetes be cured?

Diabetes can be managed through diet, medication and lifestyle but it can not be cured. (2)

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is rich in manganese, calcium, iron, and fiber. It has potent antioxidant properties due to its high content of polyphenols. It helps regulate blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for people with diabetes. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties support overall health aid in reducing inflammation, and fight infections. Cinnamon also helps improve digestion and lower cholesterol levels. (3)

Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV), or cider vinegar, is derived from fermented juice from crushed apples, resulting in a pale to medium amber liquid. ACV retains some nutrients found in apples, including pectin, B vitamins (B1, B2, B6), biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin C. Research suggests that ACV may offer several health benefits, particularly for individuals with diabetes, as it has been shown to significantly reduce hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels, lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. ACV has been linked to a decrease in triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol. Nutrient-rich, especially in unfiltered and organic forms, ACV contains acetic acid, pectin, potassium, and calcium, which contribute to its potential health benefits. These include helping to regulate blood sugar levels, promoting weight loss, improving cardiovascular health, balancing body pH, and aiding in detoxification. (4)

Health Benefits of Fenugreek

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), a staple in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese medicine, is abundant in bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, amino acids, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols, carbohydrates, and vitamins. It is known for supporting reproductive health, protecting the liver, and improving digestion. Studies have shown that fenugreek possesses anti-cancer, cardioprotective, anti-sterility, antimicrobial, antiparasitic and neuroprotective properties. (5)

Can Cinnamon Powder, Warm Water and Apple Cider Vinegar Fix Diabetes Overnight?

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels due to either insufficient insulin production or the body's inability to use insulin effectively. While lifestyle changes, medications, and dietary adjustments can help manage diabetes, it is considered a lifelong condition that cannot be cured. Nothing can fix diabetes overnight

An article by Robert W. Allen in the Annals of Family Medicine reported that consuming cinnamon is linked to a statistically significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglyceride levels, as well as an increase in HDL-C levels; however, it did not show a significant impact on hemoglobin A1c. (6)

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapy suggested that Apple Cider Vinegar consumption may positively influence adults' glycemic control and lipid levels. However, the review also pointed to certain studies that reported some side effects (such as stomach burning and ACV intolerance) following consumption of this supplement. However, Apple Cider Vinegar is a safe food, it holds potential as a functional and adjunctive therapy for managing metabolic disorders. Nonetheless, further research is required to fully elucidate the potential benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar on glycemic markers and lipid profiles the authors noted.(7)

Another study by Tine Launholt et. al. study concluded that the evidence for the health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar is insufficient due to a lack of high-quality research. Consequently, more large-scale, long-term clinical trials with minimal bias are necessary before any definitive conclusions can be drawn. (8)

There might be studies that show the benefits of these ingredients in lowering blood sugar, but no evidence could be found that supported these ingredients as first-line therapy for treatment of diabetes, nor is there any evidence that these can fix diabetes in a particularly time frame that too overnight.

The Medical Dialogues Team spoke with Dr. J. Rajesh Kumar, Senior Consultant & Diabetologist, MD ( Int Medicine), Prashanth Hospitals, he said "Diabetes is a complex, chronic condition that cannot be cured or managed effectively overnight with any single remedy, including cinnamon powder, warm water, and apple cider vinegar. While cinnamon may have a modest effect on lowering blood sugar levels, this impact is minimal and should not be considered a substitute for comprehensive diabetes management. Similarly, apple cider vinegar might slightly influence post-meal blood sugar levels, but its effects are limited and certainly not curative. Warm water, though beneficial for overall hydration, does not have any direct or meaningful impact on blood sugar control. The notion that these three ingredients together could 'fix' diabetes overnight is not only misleading but also dangerous, as it might encourage individuals to abandon proven medical treatments in favor of unproven, anecdotal remedies. Effective diabetes management requires a consistent approach, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and, in many cases, prescribed medications. Patients must consult doctors before making any significant changes to their treatment plans, rather than relying on oversimplified and unsupported claims.."

Dr. Divya Tripathi, Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies said "As a dietitian, I must emphasize that the claim that cinnamon powder, warm water, and apple cider vinegar can fix diabetes overnight is entirely false and misleading. Diabetes is a chronic condition that demands consistent management through a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and often prescribed medications. While cinnamon is rich in antioxidants and contains compounds like cinnamaldehyde, which may help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation, these effects are modest and should not be viewed as a cure. Apple cider vinegar also offers some nutritional benefits, such as acetic acid, which may help lower post-meal blood sugar spikes and support digestion, but these effects are limited. Warm water aids in hydration, which is essential for overall health, but it has no direct impact on diabetes. Relying solely on these ingredients for diabetes treatment is not just ineffective, but also potentially dangerous. Proper diabetes management requires a comprehensive and professional approach."

There is limited evidence suggesting that cinnamon powder and apple cider vinegar may aid in diabetes management, but they cannot cure the condition. While both cinnamon and apple cider vinegar have shown some potential in influencing metabolic markers like fasting glucose and lipid levels, the evidence for their effectiveness as diabetes treatments remains uncertain. Cinnamon might help reduce certain cardiovascular risks, but it does not significantly affect hemoglobin A1c, a critical indicator of long-term blood sugar control. Similarly, apple cider vinegar could have a modest impact on glycemic control and lipid levels, though the supporting studies are constrained by small sample sizes and short durations. The notion that these natural remedies can "cure" diabetes is not backed by solid scientific evidence.

Medical Dialogues: Final Take

While there is some evidence suggesting that cinnamon powder and apple cider vinegar may have benefits in managing certain metabolic markers, such as fasting glucose and lipid levels, the notion that they can cure diabetes is unsupported by scientific evidence. Diabetes is a chronic and complex condition that requires comprehensive management, including lifestyle changes, medication, and regular monitoring under the guidance of healthcare professionals. Claims that cinnamon or apple cider vinegar can fix diabetes or provide significant benefits without additional interventions are misleading and lack scientific evidence. There is no evidence that these can fix diabetes overnight. 

Therefore, the claim that Cinnamon Powder, Warm Water and Apple Cider Vinegar Fix Diabetes Overnight is FALSE.

References

1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes#:~:text=Diabetes%20is%20a%20chronic%20disease,hormone%20that%20regulates%20blood%20glucose.
2. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/is-there-a-cure
3. Rao PV, Gan SH. Cinnamon: a multifaceted medicinal plant. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:642942. doi: 10.1155/2014/642942. Epub 2014 Apr 10. PMID: 24817901; PMCID: PMC4003790
   .
4. Akanksha, Singh, Mishra, Sunita, 2017/01/01, STUDY ABOUT THE NUTRITIONAL AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT, VL - 8
5. https://openbiologyjournal.com/VOLUME/11/ELOCATOR/e187503622302220/FULLTEXT/
6. Allen RW, Schwartzman E, Baker WL, Coleman CI, Phung OJ. Cinnamon use in type 2 diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Fam Med. 2013 Sep-Oct;11(5):452-9. doi: 10.1370/afm.1517. PMID: 24019277; PMCID: PMC3767714
   .
7. Hadi A, Pourmasoumi M, Najafgholizadeh A, Clark CCT, Esmaillzadeh A. The effect of apple cider vinegar on lipid profiles and glycemic parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021 Jun 29;21(1):179. doi: 10.1186/s12906-021-03351-w. PMID: 34187442; PMCID: PMC8243436.
8. Kristiansen, Christina, Hjorth, Peter, 2020/09/01, Safety and side effects of apple vinegar intake and its effect on metabolic parameters and body weight: a systematic review, VL - 59, DO - 10.1007/s00394-020-02214-3