Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVE—The objective of this study was to determine whether cinnamon improves blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A total of 60 people with type 2 diabetes, 30 men and 30 women aged 52.2 ± 6.32 years, were divided randomly into six groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 consumed 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon daily, respectively, and groups 4, 5, and 6 were given placebo capsules corresponding to the number of capsules consumed for the three levels of cinnamon. The cinnamon was consumed for 40 days followed by a 20-day washout period. RESULTS—After 40 days, all three levels of cinnamon reduced the mean fasting serum glucose (18–29%), triglyceride (23–30%), LDL cholesterol (7–27%), and total cholesterol (12–26%) levels; no significant changes were noted in the placebo groups. Changes in HDL cholesterol were not significant. CONCLUSIONS—The results of this study demonstrate that intake of 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon per day reduces serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes and suggest that the inclusion of cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes will reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
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The same trial found that glucose and triacylglycerol stayed lower after a 20-day washout following 40 days of cinnamon, suggesting daily intake may not be required.
“The same study showed that, after the consumption of cinnamon for 40 d, the serum concentrations of glucose and triacylglycerol remained lower, even after a 20-d washout period (3), which indicated that it is not necessary to consume cinnamon every day (3).”
From Effect of cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose, gastric emptying, and satiety in healthy subjects (2007) · cites this paper as [3]
In type 2 diabetes patients, adding cinnamon to the diet for 40 days at 1, 3, or 6 g has been reported to lower fasting glucose, triacylglycerol, and total and LDL cholesterol.
“Cinnamon has been shown to reduce fasting serum glucose, triacylglycerol, and total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes when it is added to the diet for 40 d in doses of 1, 3, or 6 g (3).”
From Effect of cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose, gastric emptying, and satiety in healthy subjects (2007) · cites this paper as [3]
Cinnamon extracts have been known for managing blood glucose.
“Cinnamon extracts have been known for managing blood glucose.”
Most clinical trials administering cinnamon as extracts, capsules or supplements at 0.5 g to 6 g per day in subjects with T2DM have reported a generally favorable effect of cinnamon on postprandial/fasting hyperglycemia and diurnal glucose fluctuations.
“Most of the studies have reported a generally favorable effect of cinnamon on postprandial/fasting hyperglycemia and diurnal glucose fluctuations [368,369,370,371,372,373,374,375].”
From Effects of diet, lifestyle, Chrononutrition and alternative dietary interventions on postprandial Glycemia and insulin resistance (2022) · cites this paper as [375]
Even low amounts (1 g/day) of cinnamon powder were enough to reduce fasting glucose and improve blood lipid profiles of T2DM patients.
“It has been shown that even low amounts (1 g/day) of cinnamon powder was enough to reduce fasting glucose and improve blood lipid profiles of T2DM patients [375].”
From Effects of diet, lifestyle, Chrononutrition and alternative dietary interventions on postprandial Glycemia and insulin resistance (2022) · cites this paper as [375]
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- Authors
- Khan, A., Safdar, M., Ali Khan, M. M., Khattak, K. N., & Anderson, R. A.
- Affiliations
- Hayatabad Medical Complex (PK)
- 1Department of Human Nutrition, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan
- Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (US)
- ORCID
- Safdar, Mahpara
- Venue
- Diabetes Care
- Publisher
- American Diabetes Association
- Published
- 2003-12-01
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 3215-3218
- ISSN
- 0149-5992 (ISSN-L)
- 1935-5548
- OpenAlex
- W2157427421
- Cited by
- 981
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 29 · 2024: 40 · 2023: 56 · 2022: 39 · 2021: 67 · 2020: 52 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 57 · 2017: 51 · 2016: 45 · 2015: 53 · 2014: 68 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 51
- FWCI
- 12.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- expression_of_concern (2025-08-20)
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Diabetes Care (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- University Grants Commission
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Natural Antidiabetic Agents Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Natural Products and Biological Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
- Keywords
- cinnamon, type 2 diabetes, blood glucose, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, serum lipids, dietary supplementation, cardiovascular risk factors
- MeSH terms
- Blood Glucose, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Female, Humans, Lipids, Male, Phytotherapy, Middle Aged, Triglycerides
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