Cinnamon extract lowers blood glucose in hyperglycemic subjects

Abstract

Based on insulin potentiating activity of cinnamon, effects of a water extract of cinnamon were tested in a 2‐mo double‐blind placebo trial with 137 participants in China. Mean±SEM age was 61.3 ± 0.8 years, BMI was 25.3 ± 0.3 and M/F ratio was 65/72. A placebo capsule or a 250 mg dried water‐extract cinnamon (CinSulin) capsule was given twice per day. At baseline, homeostasis model assessment‐estimated insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) was significantly correlated with diastolic blood pressure (r=0.23) postprandial glucose (r=0.45) and insulin (r=0.42), triglycerides (r=0.29), fructosamine (0.23), BMI (r=0.29) and negatively correlated with HDLC (r=0.37). After 2 mo, fasting glucose decreased (p<0.001) in the aqua‐cinnamon‐supplemented group (8.85 ± 0.36 to 8.19 ± 0.29 mmol/L) compared with 8.57 ± 0.32 to 8.44 ± 0.34 mmol/L in the placebo group (p=0.45). Glucose 2 h after a 75 g carbohydrate load also decreased (p<0.0001) with CinSulin (15.09 ± 0.57 to 13.30 ± 0.55 mmol/L) compared to 14.18 ± 0.60 to 13.74 ± 0.58 mmol/L with placebo. Insulin concentrations and HOMA‐IR tended to be improved by aqua‐cinnamon supplements but differences were not significant. In summary, supplementation of a water extract of cinnamon had beneficial effects in subjects with hyperglycemia. (Supported by USDA‐ARS, Tang‐An Medical & Oklahoma State Univ).