Can Treating Diabetes be a Cinnamon Supplement Away?
We think of cinnamon often when we are eating, but we don’t think of it often enough when we are treating diseases. Cinnamon is not only one of the most promising toppings for your breakfast bun, it is also one of the most promising treatments for diabetes.
A large and growing body of studies testifies to the ability of simple cinnamon to benefit people with type 2 diabetes.
Double-blind research has shown 250mg of cinnamon extract taken twice a day for 2 months to significantly improve glucose, insulin and insulin resistance (J Tradit Complement Med. 2015 Apr 18;6(4):332-336).
Other research has shown that cinnamon improves the effect of diabetes drugs (Nutr Res 2012;32:408-12), and two meta-analyses of controlled research have shown that cinnamon is as good as the drug metformin ( J Med Food 2011;14:884-9; Ann Fam Med 2013;11:452-9).
Now, a new meta-analysis of 24 controlled studies convincingly adds to the evidence, demonstrating that supplementing cinnamon significantly reduces fasting blood sugar, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and HbA1c compared to control groups. HbA1c is the most important marker of long term blood sugar and diabetes control.
The study offers the promising conclusion that supplementing cinnamon significantly decreases glycemic control indicators.
Phytother Res. 2024 Jan;38(1):117-130.
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For much more on preventing and treating diabetes, see our books The Family Naturopathic Encyclopedia and, happily, Chocolate: Superfood of the Gods.
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