Cinnamon and Diabetes
Sunday, March 29th, 2009For several years now I’ve been hearing that Cinnamon was good for Diabetics. There have been only a handful of studies on the subject. Each of the studies looked at different groups and had different results. One of my biggest questions was finally answered. HOW MUCH CINNAMON DO YOU NEED TO TAKE EVERY DAY?
Published in the journal Diabetes Care in 2003 one study evaluated 60 people with type2 diabetes around the age of 50. They were divided into six groups of 10 patients each. Half received Cinnamon, half received a placebo.
Treatment lasted 40 days. Researchers analyzed fasting glucose, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol. The cinnamon groups reductions in fasting glucose (down18% to 29%), triglycerides (down 23% to 30%), LDL cholesterol (down 7% to 27%) and total cholesterol (down 12% to 26%) were reported.
A German study evaluated 65 patients with type 2 diabetes. This study was similar to the one above except half of the patients received placebo while the other half all received 3 grams (2/3 teaspoon) of cinnamon daily for four months. In this study no difference between the two groups was reported for LDL or HDL cholesterol, triglycerides or HgbA1c. Fasting glucose levels dropped about 7 percent more in the group receiving cinnamon.
In the spring of 2006, another study of cinnamon appeared in the Journal of Nutrition. This study evaluated 25 post-menopausal women with type 2 diabetes who were treated with 1.5 grams (1/3 teaspoon) of cinnamon daily for six weeks. Cinnamon was not associated with a significant change in insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance or cholesterol profile.
Bottom line, the evidence is not conclusive today. You’ll need to take around 2 teaspoons per day over a sustained period to see if it helps you.