New research on cinnamon and cinnamon
extracts has demonstrated their
positive effects on controlling blood
sugar and lipid metabolism for people
with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
As a rich source of chromium,
which is needed for carbohydrate
metabolism, cinnamon also has properties
that increase insulin-dependent glucose
metabolism in laboratory experiments.
A study of 60 men and women
with type 2 diabetes showed that those
treated with 1, 3, or 6 g/day of cinnamon
for 40 days had decreases in fasting glucose
levels of 18% to 29% and significant
decreases in triglycerides, cholesterol,
and low-density lipoproteins. Another
placebo-controlled, double-blind trial
included 22 prediabetic adults who were
given 500 mg/day of water-soluble cinnamon
extract or placebo for 12 weeks.
Results showed that 83% of participants
who were given the extract had a significant
decrease in fasting blood glucose
(8%), compared with 33% of those in the
placebo group.