title: The potential of cinnamon to reduce blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cinnamon has a long history as an antidiabetic spice, but trials involving cinnamon supplementation have produced contrasting results. The aim of this review was to examine the results of randomized controlled clinical trials of cinnamon and evaluate the therapeutic potential amongst patients with diabetes and insulin-resistant patients, particularly the ability to reduce blood glucose levels and inhibit protein glycation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic electronic literature search using the medical subject headings 'cinnamon' and 'blood glucose' was carried out to include randomized, placebo-controlled in vivo clinical trials using Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum cassia conducted between January 2003 and July 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five type 2 diabetic and three non-diabetic studies (total N = 311) were eligible. Two of the diabetic studies illustrated significant fasting blood glucose (FBG) reductions of 18-29% and 10.3% (p < 0.05), supported by one non-diabetic trial reporting an 8.4% FBG reduction (p < 0.01) vs. placebo, and another illustrating significant reductions in glucose response using oral glucose tolerance tests (p < 0.05). Three diabetic studies reported no significant results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whilst definitive conclusions cannot be drawn regarding the use of cinnamon as an antidiabetic therapy, it does possess antihyperglycaemic properties and potential to reduce postprandial blood glucose levels. Further research is required to confirm a possible correlation between baseline FBG and blood glucose reduction and to assess the potential to reduce pathogenic diabetic complications with cinnamon supplementation.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health & Human Sciences, Thames Valley University, Brentford, TW8 9 GA, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kirkham
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akilen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsiami
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects*; D002935:Cinnamomum zeylanicum; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017365:Spices
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts