[Cinnamon: not suitable for the treatment of diabetes mellitus].
OBJECTIVE
To identify published studies evaluating the effects of cinnamon on glycaemic control.


METHODS
Literature search.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the currently available evidence, cinnamon should not be recommended for the improvement ofglycaemic control.
Kleefstra
N
N
Isala klinieken, Diabetes Kenniscentrum, Zwolle. kleefstra@langerhans.com
Logtenberg
S J J
SJ
Houweling
S T
ST
Verhoeven
S
S
Bilo
H J G
HJ
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002935:Cinnamomum zeylanicum / Q000737:chemistry*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D010936:Plant Extracts