Cinnamon Does Not Improve Blood Levels of Sugar or Cholesterol
A few small scientific studies suggest that eating cinnamon will improve blood glucose and cholesterol levels. One of the studies involved rats. That’s all some people need to start using cinnamon as a medicinal. I’ve seen it used to treat or prevent diabetes.
A recent meta-analysis published in Diabetes Care examined five randomized, controlled clinical trials testing the cinnamon theory. “Randomized, controlled trials” are the gold standard in testing whether a drug or other treatment is effective. Even better is if the trial is “double-blind,” meaning neither the study subjects NOR investigators know during the study if the subject is getting the drug versus a placebo. “Randomized” means that all qualified study participants are randomly assigned either to placebo or the drug/treatment being tested.
W.L. Baker and colleagues found five well-designed studies in the literature involving 282 people who were given cinnamon - from one to six grams daily - for at least three months.
Their findings?
Cinnamon does not appear to improve [hemoglobin] A1c, fasting blood glucose, or cholesterol in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes.
So enjoy cinnamon for the flavor but without expectations it will improve glucose or cholesterol levels.
Now, Drs. Roizen and Oz in their book, YOU - on a Diet, write that cinnamon helps with weight control in overweight people. If you know of clinical studies that support that claim, please share with us.
Reference: Baker, W.L., et al. Effect of cinnamon on glucose control and lipid parameters. Diabetes Care, 31 (2008): 41-43.
November 17th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Thanks Dr. Parker.
I think I wrote about those initial studies.
It’s a good example of why scientists do the more rigid studies, to rule out flaws in the preliminary studies.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Hi, Dr. Hubbard.
I’m not saying this meta-analysis is the final word. But I won’t be holding my breath.
Maybe I’m too quick to reject rat studies. But when I can find studies on both rats and humans looking at the same clinical question, I give more credence to the human study. I’m sure you do, too.
-Steve
November 19th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Dr. Parker,
I agree. You just explained what I meant better than my comment. That’s all.
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I wanted to say that the post on weight regain is excellent information! I can’t seem to open the comment box on that one, sorry. In my experience, I have seen tremendous weight loss with people on weight watchers. The regain has been there also, but they did not follow your useful advice. With that, I’m sure they would have maintained the loss. As others have stated, exercise is key. It has been for me!
Thank you very much for the birthday wishes!!
November 23rd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I adore cinnamon- even if it doesn’t have the health benefits we thought (and who knows, maybe another study will come out soon showing that there are benefits), it still is a wonderful spice!
Great tips on your post about the weight maintenance- not so sure I agree about the medication, but some very solid advice all the same.