Can Cinnamon Help Manage Blood Sugar? Here Is What You Should Know

Managing diabetes is crucial commitment that requires consistent watch on what you eat to monitor the glucose level. Cinnamon has been extensively used in Ayurveda for decades. The brown-colour sticks contain key antioxidants that can bring down oxidative stress linked to chronic disease such as diabetes. The spice can increase insulin sensitivity and helps in moving sugar from bloodstream into cells that can benefit diabetics. Consuming cinnamon can reduce blood sugar levels post meals and decrease diabetes and heart disease risks.

According to Dr Saleem Zaidi, “cinnamon is not just a spice. It is a powerful remedy. It contains Cinnamaldehyde that improves insulin sensitivity and keeps blood sugar balanced. Research indicates that regular consumption of cinnamon can lower fasting sugar levels.”

Mix half teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a cup of warm water and drink it everyday on empty stomach. Don’t use too much of cassia cinnamon as it contains coumarin that can damage liver. Prefer Ceylon cinnamon which is Sri Lankan cinnamon, suggested Dr Zaidi. Therefore, if you want to keep diabetes under control, make sure you add cinnamon to your diet, concluded Dr Zaidi.

According to a research conducted by National Library of Medicine, “there is evidence that cinnamon provides glucose regulation. It is not known for sure whether it controls the type 2 diabetes mellitus. Procyanidin type-A polymers found in cinnamon are stated to improve insulin receptor autophosphorylation and, thus, show their effect by increasing the sensitivity to insulin.”

Cinnamon Benefits For Blood Sugar Management

1. Increases Insulin Sensitivity: Cinnamon can help in reducing blood sugar by imitating insulin effects. It can boost the insulin sensitivity that can make insulin more effective at moving sugar into cells. According to report featured in Healthline, 80 people suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS discovered that intake of 1.5 grams of cinnamon powder everyday for 12 days decreased fasting insulin levels and enhanced insulin sensitivity.   

2. High In Antioxidants: Cinnamon can offer adequate antioxidants that can help the body reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been associated with the development of almost all chronic disease that includes type 2 diabetes as well.

3. Reduces Fasting Blood Sugar: Cinnamon can help you improve the blood sugar management. According to a report published in National Library of Medicine, studies on individuals with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes found out that cinnamon can potentially decrease fasting blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. The spice can also reduce hemoglobin A1c, an essential measure for long-term blood sugar control. However, more studies are required to study these effects of cinnamon. It is worth noting here that the spice should never be used as an alternative to medicines to manage blood sugar levels.

4. Decreases Blood Sugar Post Meals: Blood sugar levels tend to surge slightly after food consumption depending on the meal size and carbohydrates content available in it. Such blood sugar shifts may surge oxidative stress and inflammation that can harm body’s cells and lead to chronic disease in longer run. Cinnamon can manage blood sugar spikes post meals by reducing the rate at which food empties out of the stomach.  

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment options.