A Mixture of Glycine and Cinnamon Extract Improves Glucose Uptake and Imparts Favourable Metabolic Changes in Men and Women in Response to an Oral Glucose Load

Abstract

Objective: slightly elevated have been independently reported to favorably impact blood glucose. To our knowledge, no study has combined these two ingredients through oral supplementation in an attempt to modify the glycemic response to a glucose load. We determined the impact of acute ingestion of a novel glycine-cinnamon extract mixture on blood glucose, insulin, and related variables following an oral glucose challenge.Methods: Ten men and women (25.4 ± 8.3 yrs) with elevated fasting blood glucose (101.2 ± 6.6 mg•dL-1) ingested a 25 gram glucose beverage with and without SugarClear™, a proprietary blend of glycine+cinnamon extract (as Cinnulin PF®), separated by approximately one week. Blood was collected before and at 20, 60, and 120 minutes post ingestion and analyzed for glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucagon, ATP, and brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).Results: Significant reductions in the area under the curve (AUC) were noted for both glucose (15% for total AUC and 52% for net incremental AUC) and insulin (7% for total AUC and 57% for net incremental AUC). The total AUC for GLP-1 was increased by 36%, while the AUC for ATP was increased by 20%. Glucagon was lower by 10% and BDNF higher by 5% with treatment but not in a statistically significant manner (p>0.05).Conclusion: Acute ingestion of SugarClear™, a proprietary blend of glycine and cinnamon extract, promotes a positive impact on blood glucose and insulin following an oral glucose load. The mixture also leads to an increase in both the plasma GLP-1 and ATP. These alterations may have favourable metabolic implications in those with elevated blood glucose. Future work is needed to determine the effect of chronic ingestion of SugarClear™ on glucose regulation and related variables.