Commonly Used Baking Spice Might Aid Blood Sugar Control In People With Prediabetes: Study

A commonly used baking spice can improve blood sugar control and decelerate the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes, claims a new study.

The experts at Boston’s Joslin Diabetes Center and the division of endocrinology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center who conducted a pilot study of individuals with high blood sugar levels found that cinnamon could improve blood sugar control in individuals with prediabetes.

“We are looking for safe, durable and cost-effective approaches to reduce the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. Our 12-week study showed beneficial effects of adding cinnamon to the diet on keeping blood sugar levels stable in participants with prediabetes,” the study’s lead author Dr. Giulio Romeo told CNN health.

“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,” Romeo told CNN health.

The Study:

The researchers included 51 participants who were diagnosed with prediabetes and investigated the effects of cinnamon supplementation in these people. The study participants were asked to take either a 500 mg cinnamon capsule or placebo thrice daily for 12 weeks.

Here’s what they found:

• Cinnamon supplementation helped lower abnormal fasting blood glucose levels and improved a person’s response to eating a meal with carbs – the hallmarks of prediabetes
• Cinnamon was well-tolerated and no adverse side effects were reported

“In individuals with prediabetes, 12 weeks of cinnamon supplementation improved fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glucose tolerance, with a favorable safety profile. Longer and larger studies should address cinnamon’s effects on the rate of progression from prediabetes to T2D,” concluded the researchers in their paper published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.

Studies like this indicate that dietary and lifestyle changes alone can help lower blood glucose levels.

A 2012 study also reported that cinnamon supplementation reduced fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels. The researchers explained that cinnamon’s insulin-like properties and a variety of polyphenolic compounds, especially polyphenol A played a crucial role in controlling blood sugar levels.

The Food and Drug Administration’s recommended daily limit of cinnamon is 6 grams, which is nearly a tablespoon of the spice.