Cinnamon decreases blood sugar

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Cinnamon decreases blood sugar

 

A Pakistani study indicates that as little as half of

a teaspoon of cinnamon powder may help decrease blood

sugar and other risk factor levels in patients with

diabetes.

 

The purpose of the study was to determine whether

cinnamon improves blood glucose, triglyceride, total

cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol

levels in people with Type II diabetes.

 

In the study, 30 men and 30 women with Type II

diabetes, averaging 52 years of age, were divided

randomly into six study groups. The first three groups

respectively consumed one, three or six grams of

cinnamon powder per day, in capsule form taken after

meals, for a 40-day period. The last three study

groups consumed placebo capsules corresponding to the

number of cinnamon-containing capsules given to the

first three groups of subjects.

 

After the 40-day period, the blood sugar levels of the

diabetic subjects in the cinnamon group had dropped by

an average of 20% below those of the control group,

and their triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels had also

fallen. In vitro tests showed that the spice had also

neutralized free radicals, which are increased in

patients with diabetes. After the treatment period,

blood sugar levels in the cinnamon group rose once

again.

 

Scientists concluded, “The results of this study

demonstrate that intake of one, three or six grams of

cinnamon per day reduces serum glucose, triglyceride,

LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with

Type II diabetes and suggest that the inclusion of

cinnamon in the diet of people with Type II diabetes

will reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and

cardiovascular diseases.”

 

Diabetes Care 26:3215-3218, 2003