Q. I have been a type 2 diabetic for 13 years and thought that using cinnamon on a daily basis would result in a lower blood sugar reading. To date, cinnamon has had absolutely no effect on my condition.
A. The use of cinnamon for blood sugar control remains controversial. It is not a substitute for medical supervision and appropriate medications.
Adding an indeterminate amount of cinnamon from the spice rack poses some challenges. For one thing, you don’t know the daily dose and for another, you don’t know what cinnamon you are consuming.
There are two types of cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon from China is the type that was used in the original research showing that it could help lower blood sugar after a meal (Diabetes Care, Dec. 2003). Other studies have suggested that “true” cinnamon, also known as Cinnamomum zeylanicum or verum, has little or no impact, but a recent review actually found substantial evidence in animal and other laboratory studies that it too may be beneficial (Diabetic Medicine, December 2012).
Cinnamon supplements might be a way to get a safe and reliable dose. An analysis of six placebo-controlled studies found that cinnamon (in doses ranging from 1 to 6 grams/day) reduced HbA1c, a measure of blood sugar over time, as well as blood sugar (Clinical Nutrition, Oct. 2012). We worry, however, that so much cinnamon on a regular basis could expose a person to excess amounts of coumarin. This natural compound found in cassia cinnamon can damage the liver. It is not water-soluble, so water-based extracts should be safe.
You will find more information about cinnamon and many other non-drug approaches in our Guide to Managing Diabetes.
6/24/19 redirected to: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/will-canela-cinnamon-help-control-blood-sugar/
