EFFICACY OF CINNAMON CONSUMPTION FOR REDUCING BLOOD PRESSURE IN ADULT HYPERTENSIVE MALES

Abstract

Objective: To assess the efficacy of cinnamon consumption on change in weight, blood pressure, blood glucose levels and anthropometry [waist circumference (WC), Waist to hip ratio (WHR), Body mass Index (BMI)] after 30 days in obese, diabetic hypertensive males. Design and method: A cross-sectional study on 200 male patients with uncontrolled hypertension was conducted to assess the effect of consuming 2 gms of home ground cinnamon powder on blood pressure, weight and anthropometry. Patients (n = 200) were advised a 1800 kcals diet with 60% carbohydrates, 20% proteins and 20% fats. Patients (n = 100) were provided dietary advice including cinnamon and 100 patients (control group) were advised to continue the same advised diet without cinnamon. Diet diary was maintained by patients and monitored weekly. Clinic blood pressure, height, Weight, WC and hip circumference measured using the NHANES standard procedures. BMI and WHR were calculated. Results: At the commencement of the trial 68% (136/200) patients were obese and 22% (44/200) overweight. Significant weight loss was observed in both groups- cases (p < 0.0001) and control group (p < 0.05). The group ingesting cinnamon, after adjusting for other parameters, was associated with significant reduction in WC, WHR (p < 0.001) and both SBP and DBP (p < 0.0001). Significant reduction in SBP in group consuming cinnamon with reduction in WC and BMI (p < 0.001). Significant reduction in DBP associated with reduction in WHR, WC and BMI (p < 0.001). Change in BSL (F,PP) were not found to be significant in both groups. Conclusions: Cinnamon was found to be effective in weight loss and reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Weight loss, reduced WC and WHR in group ingesting cinnamon was positively correlated with a reduction in SBP and DBP.