Cinnamon is a delicious and versatile spice that can be used in a variety of dishes. But can it help you control your blood sugar and manage your diabetes? Read on to learn more about cinnamon and diabetes.
What are the different types of cinnamon?
There are 2 main types of cinnamon:
- Cassia cinnamon is produced from a few species of Cinnamomum trees. This type of cinnamon is most commonly found in food products and the spice aisle of your grocery store. It is fairly inexpensive.
- Ceylon cinnamon is produced specifically from the Cinnamomum verum tree. It is less widely available than Cassia cinnamon and more expensive. Some studies have shown that it contains more antioxidants than Cassia cinnamon, so if you’re able to find it, it may be a better choice.
What is the role of cinnamon in people with diabetes?
Many studies have been done to investigate the potential role that cinnamon plays in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. A review of a number of clinical studies found that cinnamon reduced blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes by up to 3 mmol/L. A1C was also reduced by 0.27% to 0.83%.
Further studies of cinnamon are needed
These studies did not find any significant side effects with cinnamon use. However, the authors of the review warned that it may be too soon to recommend that people with diabetes start taking cinnamon to help manage their blood sugar. This is because each of the studies used different doses of cinnamon and for a different length of time, so the preferred amount of cinnamon to take and the duration of treatment are not clear. Also, it isn’t known which individuals would benefit the most from taking cinnamon.
Advantages of cinnamon
Some advantages of cinnamon include:
- May lower blood pressure: a 2020 study found that people who took 2 g of cinnamon per day had significantly lower blood pressure after 8 weeks.
- Contains antioxidants: these molecules help your body fight off harmful free radicals, which have been linked to such conditions as diabetes and cancer.
Cinnamon is also low in cost, relatively safe to use, and most people like the way it tastes and smells. Still, the long-term effectiveness and safety are unknown at this time.
What do the guidelines recommend?
The current Diabetes Canada guidelines state that there is insufficient evidence to recommend cinnamon to control blood sugar levels. Trials tend to be of short duration and involve smaller sample sizes (the number of people studied). There are also concerns about the standardization and purity of different brands and sources of cinnamon.
Remember that taking care of diabetes is a lifelong commitment to healthy eating, regular physical activity, testing blood sugars and taking medications as prescribed. Further studies will help us to better understand how cinnamon may play a role in diabetes management.
If you are considering using cinnamon to help manage your diabetes, be sure to discuss it with your healthcare team first. They can advise you of any possible adverse effects with other medication or health issues you may have.
