In a new study, researchers found cinnamon improves blood sugar control in people with prediabetes and could slow the progression to type 2 diabetes.
The research was conducted by a team at Joslin Diabetes Center and elsewhere.
It is estimated that nearly 90 million people in the United States have prediabetes, which occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal and often leads to type 2 diabetes.
Identifying strategies to prevent the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes is challenging, yet important for a large population.
The current 12-week study showed beneficial effects of adding cinnamon to the diet on keeping blood sugar levels stable in participants with prediabetes.
These findings provide the rationale for longer and larger studies to address if cinnamon can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time.
The team examined the effects of cinnamon supplementation in 51 participants with prediabetes.
Participants were given a 500 mg cinnamon capsule or placebo three times a day for 12 weeks.
The researchers found that cinnamon supplements lowered abnormal fasting glucose levels and improved the body’s response to eating a meal with carbohydrates, which are hallmarks of prediabetes.
Cinnamon was well tolerated and was not associated with specific side effects or adverse events.
One author of the study is Giulio R. Romeo, M.D. from Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Mass
The study is published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
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