The effect of cinnamon supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes or with polycystic ovary syndrome: an umbrella meta-analysis on interventional meta-analyses

Abstract

Background Several meta-analyses reported glycemic-lowering effects of cinnamon, while others reported conflicting findings. In the present study, we aimed to perform an umbrella meta-analysis of previous interventional meta-analyses on the effects of cinnamon on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) or with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods Relevant studies were searched in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to June 2022. Meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of cinnamon on glycemic indices including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), insulin, and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) were included. Random-effects models were used to perform the umbrella meta-analysis and pool the weighted mean difference (WMD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Overall, 11 meta-analyses of RCTs were included. Cinnamon supplementation was effective in reducing serum FPG (WMD: -10.93 mg/dL; 95%CI: -16.22, -5.65; SMD: -0.86; 95%CI: -1.19, -0.52), insulin (WMD: -2.01 IU/mL; 95%CI: -3.96, -0.07; SMD: -0.61; 95%CI: -0.93, -0.30), HOMA-IR levels (WMD: -0.61; 95%CI: -0.91, -0.31; SMD: -0.78; 95%CI: -1.26, -0.30), and HbA1c (WMD: -0.10%; 95%CI: -0.17, -0.03). Conclusion Cinnamon can be used as an anti-diabetic agent and an add-on treatment to control glycemic indices among patients with T2D or PCOS.

Effects of combined aerobic exercise and diet on cardiometabolic health in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Hence, such AEDT-induced adaptations may be associated with the potential activation of some key molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating glucose metabolism linked to visceral and ectopic fat [ 69 , 70 ]. In summary, non-pharmacological anti-obesity agents, such as regular physical exercise, patient-centred diet and proper supplementation can be used in conjunction with prescribed medications to noticeably improve T2DM biomarkers [ 71 , 72 ].…”

Potential Benefit of Spices for Glycemic Control

“…Statistically significant decreases in HbA 1c and fasting serum insulin (SI) values and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) measures for those administered cinnamon, compared with controls, were variable. Nonetheless, a recent umbrella review/meta-analysis 34 of 11 meta-analyses evaluating up to 1516 participants with different metabolic disorders confirmed significant improvements in these glycemic parameters for those administered cinnamon, compared with controls. In addition, the decreases for FBG and HbA 1c in response to cinnamon dosing were strongest for T2DM subjects.…”

“…The species of cinnamon plant used in RCTs was not always clearly described. Most meta-analyses observed a statistically significant reduction (Table 2) in FBG values following intake of cinnamon, [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48] compared with controls. Statistically significant decreases in HbA 1c and fasting serum insulin (SI) values and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) measures for those administered cinnamon, compared with controls, were variable.…”

The Role of Alternative Medicine in Managing Type 2 Diabetes: A Comprehensive Review

“…In addition, Momordica charantia , or bitter melon, purported to have insulin-like actions, has shown conflicting results in glucose-lowering efficacy, with recent reviews suggesting a reduction in HbA1c but with limited evidence from randomized controlled trials [ 21 ]. Cinnamon, derived from Cinnamomum cassia trees, demonstrates insulin-like action attributed to procyanidin polymers, with studies indicating reductions in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels [ 22 ], but caution is advised when using it alongside other hypoglycemic agents.…”