Cinnamon for Blood Sugar

Cinnamon may lead to slower emptying of the stomach reducing the rise in blood sugar after eating, a 2006 study reports.

Researchers from the University of Lund in Sweden explained that previous studies of patients with type 2 diabetes showed that cinnamon lowers fasting serum glucose (sugar), triacylglycerol and LDL (bad cholesterol) and total cholesterol concentrations.

The study investigated the effect of cinnamon on the rate of gastric (stomach) emptying, the post-meal blood sugar response and satiety in healthy subjects.
Researchers measured the gastric emptying rate (GER) using standardized real-time ultrasonography. The 14 healthy subjects were examined after an eight-hour fast to determine if they had normal fasting blood glucose concentrations. The participants consumed 300 grams of rice pudding or 300 grams rice pudding plus 6 grams cinnamon.
The study found that the addition of cinnamon to the rice pudding reduced gastric emptying from 37 to 34.5 percent as well as delayed the rise in blood glucose levels after eating. No effect of cinnamon was found on satiety.

The study authors concluded that the intake of 6 grams cinnamon with rice pudding reduces post-meal blood sugar and delays stomach emptying without affecting satiety.
Integrative therapies with good scientific evidence in the treatment of diabetes include beta-glucan, bitter melon, ginseng, gymnema and stevia.

1. Hlebowicz J, Darwiche G, Björgell O, et al. Effect of cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose, gastric emptying, and satiety in healthy subjects. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2007 Jun;85(6):1552-6.
2. Natural Standard Research Collaboration: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com. Copyright © 2007.