Those with chronic diseases like diabetes not only suffer from the diseases themselves – but as we have observed recently with COVID-19 – they are also more susceptible to serious illness from other conditions and diseases. Finding effective ways for physicians to prevent and manage these diseases therefore remains critical.

A new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society has revealed that cinnamon may provide a simple and cost effective way to help people with prediabetes better control their blood sugar. This type of blood sugar control is a major goal in helping to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes.

The authors of this new paper studied roughly 50 participants between the ages of 20 and 70 with prediabetes. The participants were randomly assigned to the cinnamon or placebo group and given capsules 3 times a day for 12 weeks. Those in the cinnamon group received 500 mg of cinnamon in their capsules, for a total of 1500 mg of cinnamon daily.

The results showed that abnormal fasting glucose levels were lowered in those who took cinnamon but not in those who received placebo. Cinnamon also appeared to improve the body’s response to carbohydrates. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the cinnamon was also not associated with any adverse side effects.

Given these findings, the authors argue that cinnamon should be further explored as a potential preventative measure in those with diabetes. Controlling blood sugar with cinnamon may even provide benefits in those with diabetes. More research will help to elucidate the specific role cinnamon may play in blood sugar control and diabetes.

Reference

Giulio R Romeo, Junhee Lee, Christopher M Mulla, Youngmin Noh, Casey Holden, Byung-Cheol Lee. Influence of cinnamon on glycemic control in subjects with prediabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 2020; DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa094