Diabetes Diet

Food News: The Final Word on Cinnamon?

Scores of people with diabetes swear that cinnamon helps moderate their blood glucose, and they religiously sprinkle the spice on their oatmeal every morning. Many studies have shown positive effects — on blood sugar, insulin response, and even cholesterol — in people with diabetes.

The research, however, has been inconclusive because not all studies show these benefits and the groups studied are usually very small. But a recent meta-analysis looked at five randomized, controlled studies, and found no benefit.

In the five trials, a total of 282 people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, were given either a placebo or varying doses of cinnamon, ranging from 1 to 6 grams, for a period of 3 months. In the report, published in the January 2008 issue of Diabetes Care, lead author William L. Baker, PharmD, BCPS, writes: “Cinnamon does not appear to improve A1C, [fasting blood glucose], or [cholesterol] in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.”
— Zach Olsen


Source:
Baker, W.L., G. Gutierrez-Williams, C.M. White, J. Kluger, C.I. Coleman. 2008. Effect of Cinnamon on Glucose Control and Lipid Parameters. Diabetes Care 31: 41–43.

Reviewed by Susan Weiner, R.D., M.S., C.D.E., C.D.N. 10/08