Cinnamon’s warming scent typically fills the kitchen this time of year as this common spice is often used in late fall to early winter for baking such delights as apple pie and gingerbread. Cinnamon is also utilized in aromatherapy for its mood elevating properties; however, it is cinnamon’s recent role in research evaluating its potential ability to lower blood sugar that has caught the attention of mainstream media and those seeking natural alternatives.

Cinnamon has been used in traditional herbal medicine and as spice in several cultures for centuries. Medicinally, cinnamon is well-known for its supportive benefits for gastrointestinal conditions, of which it is still used today; though historically it has been used to address everything from abdominal pain to toothaches.

Cinnamon has GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status as a food additive by the FDA; which means it is considered safe by the experts and because there are no side-effects it is understandable why it has become such a desirable herb to those suffering from various disorders and prefer a more natural remedy.
Cinnamon has a wide variety of properties that have been studied in recent research and evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that cinnamon posses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and may support the health of the cardiovascular. A study by Gruenwald et al states that “in vitro studies have demonstrated that cinnamon may act as an insulin mimetic, to potentiate insulin activity or to stimulate cellular glucose metabolism.” Animal studies have also revealed cinnamon’s strong hypoglycemic properties. This research has lead scientists to explore cinnamon’s potential role in metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is associated with insulin resistance, elevated glucose and lipids, inflammation, increased weight gain and increased glycation of proteins and cinnamon has been shown to improve these variables in various studies from in vivo to human studies.

In people with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes insulin (the sugar-lowering hormone made by your pancreas that helps control the amount of sugar in your bloodstream) does not work efficiently, which leads to higher blood sugar levels. Some recent studies have shown that cinnamon may decrease insulin resistance and lower blood sugar. In one study, volunteers ate from 1 – 6 grams of cinnamon for 40 days and results showed that cinnamon reduced cholesterol by about 18% and blood sugar levels by 24%. (One gram of ground cinnamon is about half a teaspoon) which indicates a wide range of possible dosage amounts for individuals.
So while components of cinnamon may prove to be important in the alleviation and prevention of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular related symptoms; at this time more research and human trials are needed to properly determine the adequate dosage required, but the recent results are quite promising. One should also consider that the same lifestyle choices that can be implemented to treat and control type 2 diabetes can also be used to prevent it; such as, a healthy diet comprised of foods low in fat and calories and rich in vegetables and whole grains, physical activity of about 30 minutes daily; walking, biking riding, swimming—anything that gets you moving and losing excess weight- even losing 5% of your body weight can reduce the risk of diabetes. With a proper diet and exercise program, supplementing with cinnamon may support healthy blood sugar levels, by activating insulin and glucose transport and improving glucose metabolism.

If you are considering implementing supplements or dietary changes into your health regime to prevent, control or treat diabetes, please be sure to consult with your health care provider.