Effect of Various Doses of Cinnamon on Blood Glucose in Diabetic Individuals

Abstract

The effect of cinnamon doses on blood serum glucose was studied in type 2 diabetic individuals for 60 days. Sixty type 2 diabetic individuals of both sexes and of age 48±6.5 years were divided into 6 groups; each group was having 10 individuals. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were assigned for 1g, 3g and 6g cinnamon doses/day respectively. Groups 4, 5 and 6 were assigned for 1g, 3g and 6g placebo doses/day respectively. The doses were equally distributed over the day. Cinnamon and placebo were given in the form of capsules with breakfast, lunch and dinner. The doses were given for 40 days and after 40 days; there was a 20 days blank period. Fasting blood samples were taken on days 0 (starting day of the experiment) 20, 40 and 60 and blood serums were separated. The blood serum glucose of both the cinnamon and placebo groups were determined. The mean fasting serum glucose levels for cinnamon doses on days 0, 20, 40 and 60 were 208.7, 189.1, 156.5 and 176.6 mg/dl for 1 g cinnamon dose/day; 206.2, 178.4, 170.3 and 177.8 mg/dl for 3 g cinnamon dose/day and 233.9, 183.2, 166.4 and 205.7 mg/dl for 6 g cinnamon dose/day respectively. The cinnamon doses significantly (P<0.05) reduced the mean fasting serum glucose levels while the placebo doses did not affect the serum glucose levels. In the light of this research, it is recommended that Type 2 diabetic individuals should use 1-3g cinnamon in their food preparations on regular basis. They can use cinnamon shakers for sprinkling of cinnamon powder on the curry in the plate. They can prepare cinnamon tea without sugar and can use it after meals. Also they can chew cinnamon bark after meals. This will keep their sugar level near to normal values.

The Effect of Different Amounts of Cinnamon Consumption on Blood Glucose in Healthy Adult Individuals

“…Blood glucose levels of the patients included in the study were measured at the beginning, on the 20th day, and on the 40th day, after consumption. According to the results of the study, it was determined that cinnamon lowered the blood sugar of patients distinctly and significantly [ 6 ].…”

“…One of the most discussed effects of cinnamon has been its effect of regulating individuals' insulin resistance and preprandial blood glucose [ 4 – 6 ]. Cinnamon is also claimed to be a natural insulin stimulant [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Cinnamon: A Multifaceted Medicinal Plant

“…A substance from cinnamon has been isolated and coined as “insulin-potentiating factor” (IPF) [ 102 ], while the antidiabetic effects of cinnamon bark have been shown in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats [ 33 ]. Several studies have also revealed that cinnamon extracts lower not only blood glucose but also cholesterol levels [ 103 – 107 ].…”

Review on cinnamon plant

“…Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder of glucose metabolism caused by the dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells and insulin resistance. Diabetes is a serious health problem that affects both sexes in all age groups and all over the world [10] . Cinnamon has been shown to have insulin mimetic properties because its biologically active substances enhance glucose uptake by activating insulin receptor kinase activity, autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor, and glycogen synthase activity [11] .…”

“…In one study, a factor called methyl hydroxyl chalcone polymer, which was isolated from cinnamon, was observed to increase insulindependent glucose metabolism approximately 20-fold in vitro. Safdar et al [10] explained that methyl hydroxyl chalcone polymer made fat cells more responsive to insulin by activating the enzyme that causes insulin to bind to cells and inhibiting the enzyme that blocks the process leading to maximal phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, which is associated with increased insulin sensitivity. Cinnamon is rich in polyphenolic components, and it was shown that an intake of 500 mg/d for 12 weeks decreased oxidative stress and improved impaired fasting glucose [12] .…”