Cinnamon

Last Updated: September 28 2022

Cinnamon is a blend of nutrients commonly used a spice. It can help regulate glucose metabolism in diabetic people, but may also possess some toxic components.

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Cinnamon is most often used for

Summary

Cinnamon is popular spice worldwide. It exerts numerous biological effects on the body.

Cinnamon is frequently treated as an anti-diabetic compound, since it reduces the rate at which glucose enters the body. Not only does it help diabetics avoid blood sugar spikes, but it also improves glucose use in the cell itself.

Over time, cinnamon can reduce fasting blood glucose, and potentially cholesterol levels as well.

Cinnamon does not need to be purchased specifically as a supplement, and can be found in grocery stores. It does contain a liver toxin called coumarin, which can be harmful in high doses. Making cinnamon tea can reduce the risk of coumarin poisoning, since the toxin is left behind in the leftover sediment. Ceylon cinnamon, which is dervied from a different plant species, has lower levels of coumarin, which makes it a better supplement option.

What else is Cinnamon known as?
Note that Cinnamon is also known as:
  • Chinese (Saigon) cinnamon
  • Cassia Cinnamon
  • Indonesian (Ceylon/True) Cinnamon
Dosage information

The standard dose for anti-diabetic purposes is 1-6g of cinnamon daily, taken with carbohydrate containing meals.

Ceylon cinnamon is always a better supplemental option than cassia cinnamon, due to the lower coumarin content.

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References
2.^Abraham K, Wöhrlin F, Lindtner O, Heinemeyer G, Lampen AToxicology and risk assessment of coumarin: focus on human dataMol Nutr Food Res.(2010 Feb)
3.^Jarvill-Taylor KJ, Anderson RA, Graves DJA hydroxychalcone derived from cinnamon functions as a mimetic for insulin in 3T3-L1 adipocytesJ Am Coll Nutr.(2001 Aug)
4.^Mohamed Sham Shihabudeen H, Hansi Priscilla D, Thirumurugan KCinnamon extract inhibits α-glucosidase activity and dampens postprandial glucose excursion in diabetic ratsNutr Metab (Lond).(2011 Jun 29)
5.^Adisakwattana S, Lerdsuwankij O, Poputtachai U, Minipun A, Suparpprom CInhibitory activity of cinnamon bark species and their combination effect with acarbose against intestinal α-glucosidase and pancreatic α-amylasePlant Foods Hum Nutr.(2011 Jun)
8.^Imparl-Radosevich J, Deas S, Polansky MM, Baedke DA, Ingebritsen TS, Anderson RA, Graves DJRegulation of PTP-1 and insulin receptor kinase by fractions from cinnamon: implications for cinnamon regulation of insulin signallingHorm Res.(1998 Sep)
9.^Broadhurst CL, Polansky MM, Anderson RAInsulin-like biological activity of culinary and medicinal plant aqueous extracts in vitroJ Agric Food Chem.(2000 Mar)
11.^Pham AQ, Kourlas H, Pham DQCinnamon supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusPharmacotherapy.(2007 Apr)
12.^Mang B, Wolters M, Schmitt B, Kelb K, Lichtinghagen R, Stichtenoth DO, Hahn AEffects of a cinnamon extract on plasma glucose, HbA, and serum lipids in diabetes mellitus type 2Eur J Clin Invest.(2006 May)
13.^Khan A, Safdar M, Ali Khan MM, Khattak KN, Anderson RACinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetesDiabetes Care.(2003 Dec)