Effect of cinnamon on glucose control and lipid parameters.
OBJECTIVE
To perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of cinnamon to better characterize its impact on glucose and plasma lipids.


METHODS
A systematic literature search through July 2007 was conducted to identify randomized placebo-controlled trials of cinnamon that reported data on A1C, fasting blood glucose (FBG), or lipid parameters. The mean change in each study end point from baseline was treated as a continuous variable, and the weighted mean difference was calculated as the difference between the mean value in the treatment and control groups. A random-effects model was used.


RESULTS
Five prospective randomized controlled trials (n = 282) were identified. Upon meta-analysis, the use of cinnamon did not significantly alter A1C, FBG, or lipid parameters. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses did not significantly change the results.


CONCLUSIONS
Cinnamon does not appear to improve A1C, FBG, or lipid parameters in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Baker
William L
WL
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
Gutierrez-Williams
Gabriela
G
White
C Michael
CM
Kluger
Jeffrey
J
Coleman
Craig I
CI
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002935:Cinnamomum zeylanicum; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids