5 Studies Supporting The Power Of Cinnamon For Blood Sugar Regulation

It’s hard to pick favorites in the herb world, but when it comes to metabolic health in combination with kitchen medicine, Cinnamon is THE herb. Cinnamon is one of the most accessible herbs that you can harness not only for its flavor but its plethora of health benefits, specifically blood-sugar regulation. Spices like Cinnamon and even Turmeric have been used for years as ancient medicine. After digging into the research behind this well-studied herb, we were able to pinpoint not one… not two… not three… but five mechanisms of action this herb takes when it comes to blood sugar regulation. Let’s get nerdy:

1. INSULIN SENSITIZATION: Cinnamon may improve insulin sensitivity, allowing cells to more effectively utilize insulin and regulate blood sugar levels. It appears to enhance insulin signaling pathways and promote glucose uptake into cells.

• Study: Akilen et al., 2010 – “Cinnamon in glycaemic control: Systematic review and meta-analysis”

• Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cinnamon on glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in individuals with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

• Methodology: The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of cinnamon on glycemic control and insulin sensitivity. They searched several databases for relevant studies and included trials that compared cinnamon intervention with a control group (placebo or usual care) in individuals with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

• Results: The meta-analysis included ten RCTs with a total of 577 participants. The findings indicated that cinnamon intake significantly improved fasting blood glucose levels and measures of insulin sensitivity, such as fasting insulin levels and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The improvements in glycemic control and insulin sensitivity were more prominent in individuals with type 2 diabetes compared to those with prediabetes.

• Conclusion: The study concluded that cinnamon supplementation may have a beneficial effect on glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, the authors noted that further research is needed to determine the optimal dosage, duration, and long-term effects of cinnamon supplementation.
  

2. GLUCOSE REGULATION: Cinnamon has been found to slow down the breakdown of carbohydrates in the digestive tract, resulting in a slower release of glucose into the bloodstream after a meal. This can help prevent rapid blood sugar spikes.

• Study: Hlebowicz et al., 2007 – “Effect of cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose, gastric emptying, and satiety in healthy subjects”

• Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose levels, gastric emptying, and satiety in healthy individuals.

• Methodology: The researchers conducted a randomized, crossover study involving 14 healthy subjects. Participants were given rice pudding with or without cinnamon on separate occasions. Blood samples were taken before and at regular intervals after the meal to measure glucose levels. Gastric emptying was assessed using ultrasound, and satiety was evaluated through subjective rating scales.

• Results: The study found that the addition of cinnamon to the rice pudding significantly reduced the postprandial blood glucose response compared to the control meal without cinnamon. The researchers observed a delayed gastric emptying rate in the cinnamon group, suggesting that cinnamon may slow down the absorption of glucose from the digestive tract. Furthermore, participants reported increased feelings of satiety after consuming the cinnamon-enhanced meal.

• Conclusion: The study concluded that cinnamon supplementation with a meal can lead to a decreased postprandial glucose response, potentially due to the delay in gastric emptying and increased satiety. However, it is important to note that this study was conducted in healthy individuals rather than those with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance.

3. Antioxidant Effects: Cinnamon contains antioxidants that can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which are associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

• Study: Zare et al., 2019 – “Cinnamon: A Potential Multi-Faceted Therapeutic Agent for Attenuating Chronic Diseases”
• Objective: This review article aimed to summarize the current evidence on the potential therapeutic properties of cinnamon, including its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Methodology: The authors reviewed scientific literature to gather information on the bioactive compounds present in cinnamon and their effects on oxidative stress and inflammation. They focused on studies investigating the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of cinnamon in both in vitro (cell-based) and in vivo (animal and human) models.
• Results: The review highlighted that cinnamon contains various bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and other antioxidants, which contribute to its potential health benefits. Cinnamon has been shown to possess antioxidant properties, which help scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. Additionally, cinnamon exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory molecules and modulating inflammatory pathways.

4. ENZYME INHIBITION: Certain compounds in cinnamon can inhibit enzymes involved in glucose metabolism, such as alpha-glucosidase, which slows down the absorption of glucose in the intestine.

• Study: Qin et al., 2010 – “Cinnamon extract regulates glucose transporter and insulin-signaling gene expression in mouse adipocytes”
• Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of cinnamon extract on glucose uptake and gene expression related to glucose metabolism in adipocytes.
• Methodology: The researchers conducted in vitro experiments using cultured mouse adipocytes. They treated the cells with a cinnamon extract and examined its effects on glucose uptake and the expression of genes involved in glucose transport and insulin signaling. They also assessed the inhibitory activity of cinnamon extract against the enzyme alpha-glucosidase.
• Results: The study found that treatment with cinnamon extract significantly increased glucose uptake in the adipocytes. The researchers observed that cinnamon extract upregulated the expression of genes involved in glucose transport, such as Glut4 (glucose transporter 4), and insulin signaling, including Irs1 (insulin receptor substrate 1) and Akt2 (protein kinase B). Moreover, cinnamon extract exhibited inhibitory activity against alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into glucose.
• Conclusion: The study suggested that certain compounds present in cinnamon extract can enhance glucose uptake in adipocytes by upregulating the expression of genes involved in glucose transport and insulin signaling. Additionally, the inhibition of alpha-glucosidase by cinnamon extract may contribute to its potential antihyperglycemic effects.

5. BETA-CELL PROTECTION: Cinnamon extracts have shown potential in protecting and preserving the function of beta cells in the pancreas, which are responsible for producing insulin. This protection may help maintain insulin production over time.

• Study: Lu et al., 2012 – “Cinnamon extract improves fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin level in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes”

• Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of cinnamon extract on glycemic control and beta-cell function in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

• Methodology: The researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 66 patients with type 2 diabetes. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either cinnamon extract capsules or placebo capsules for 90 days. Fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, and measures of beta-cell function were assessed before and after the intervention.

• Results: The study found that the group receiving cinnamon extract capsules showed a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels and HbA1c compared to the placebo group. Additionally, the participants in the cinnamon extract group exhibited improved beta-cell function, as indicated by increased homeostasis model assessment-beta (HOMA-β) and proinsulin-to-insulin ratio levels.
• Conclusion: The study concluded that cinnamon extract supplementation improved glycemic control and preserved beta-cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes. The results suggested that cinnamon extract might have a beneficial effect on the function of beta cells in the pancreas, which are responsible for producing insulin.