[Cinnamon: not suitable for the treatment of diabetes mellitus]
N Kleefstra1, S J J Logtenberg, S T Houweling
1Isala klinieken, Diabetes Kenniscentrum, Zwolle. kleefstra@langerhans.com
Objective:
To identify published studies evaluating the effects of cinnamon on glycaemic control.
Design:
Literature search.
Method:
The Medline database was searched using all possible combinations of the words and medical subject headings (MeSH) 'cinnamon', 'diabetes mellitus', 'HbA1C' and 'glucose'. All human or animal studies in which cinnamon was administered as intervention were included.
Results:
Several animal studies and 5 randomized placebo-controlled trials in humans were found. Most of the animal studies described beneficial effects of cinnamon on glycaemic control. One placebo-controlled trial in patients with type 2 diabetes found that cinnamon intake was associated with favourable effects on fasting plasma glucose. None of the studies reported an improvement in HbA1C. A study in patients with type 1 diabetes found that cinnamon had no effect.
Conclusion:
Based on the currently available evidence, cinnamon should not be recommended for the improvement ofglycaemic control.
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Diabetes Mellitus: Introduction
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Acarbose and miglitol are typically...
