Cinnamon - what are the benefits for insulin sensitivity

Saur

Well-Known Member
Messages
160
Hi everyone, What role does cinnamon play in assisting with fasting blood glucose? Is it beneficial to take and has it helped anyone?
Or are there other spices/ herbs that are natural with no side effects that can help?
 

Dexterdobe

Well-Known Member
Messages
305
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Being unwell and seeing BG levels soar
I have been taking a teaspoon of real cinnamon daily for around 18 months. My HBA1c has fallen from 53 to 40 during this period. The cinnamon is taken as part of a very low carb diet and I exercise daily. I stopped taking the cinnamon for a month in the spring and my BS went up a little (average 6.3 to 6.5). It went down again when I restarted the daily dose. It wasn't a proper clinical trial of course and the fall wasn't very great, but it was there, so I intend to continue with the cinnamon. I don't think it's a miracle cure for T2, but it seems to be one of many things which help a bit. Collectively, all the changes I have made have enabled me to get my BG back into the normal range. I hope that helps to answer your question.
 

Saur

Well-Known Member
Messages
160
I have been taking a teaspoon of real cinnamon daily for around 18 months. My HBA1c has fallen from 53 to 40 during this period. The cinnamon is taken as part of a very low carb diet and I exercise daily. I stopped taking the cinnamon for a month in the spring and my BS went up a little (average 6.3 to 6.5). It went down again when I restarted the daily dose. It wasn't a proper clinical trial of course and the fall wasn't very great, but it was there, so I intend to continue with the cinnamon. I don't think it's a miracle cure for T2, but it seems to be one of many things which help a bit. Collectively, all the changes I have made have enabled me to get my BG back into the normal range. I hope that helps to answer your question.
Thankyou that is helpful. Do you take it by itself or added to food?
 

Dexterdobe

Well-Known Member
Messages
305
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Being unwell and seeing BG levels soar
Thankyou that is helpful. Do you take it by itself or added to food?
Sorry for the delay in replying, I've been away. I just take it in water. You do need to be careful though. The powder is very fine and it's important not to breath in the dry powder as it can scar your lungs. I add it to a small amount of water and then stir it slowly until it is dissolved. It takes a while to dissolve. You know when it has as it turns a much darker brown. The taste isn't great, but I think it's worth it.
 

Saur

Well-Known Member
Messages
160
Thankyou for sharing. I think I will take it with water. We use the cinnamon sticks a lot in Indian cookery.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Guna108

Guna108

Well-Known Member
Messages
179
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Thankyou for sharing. I think I will take it with water. We use the cinnamon sticks a lot in Indian cookery.
My husband makes cinnamon tea for his blood pressure using the sticks . I might try a cup for my T2 now I have read this :) I take karela, but wonder if cinnamon would be better .
 

Saur

Well-Known Member
Messages
160
My husband makes cinnamon tea for his blood pressure using the sticks . I might try a cup for my T2 now I have read this :) I take karela, but wonder if cinnamon would be better .
I don’t drink much tea. Good idea to get the blood pressure down.
 

Dr Snoddy

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,325
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Trolls
I love cinnamon but cannot have it raw as I get a mild allergic reaction in my lips. Fortunately I eat lots of curries and tagines. On the rare occasions that I have porridge I always add cinnamon before cooking. I do not know if it reduces my blood sugars but it definitely spices up my life!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Guna108

TriciaWs

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,727
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
I have cinnamon on my morning flaxseed and chia porridge, it improves the taste.
I buy 'real' cinnamon when possible as cassia is easy to overdose on, but some well known brands do not identify which version they use.
 

Robbity

Expert
Messages
6,683
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Cinnamon's actually known as a blood thinner.

I've always used cinnamon in my cooking, and more recently as a tea. I like it but I've used from years before I was ever diagnosed with T2, so I have no evidence that it has helped in any way.

However - found in Wkipedia entry for Cinnamon:
Khan A, Safdar M, Ali Khan MM, Khattak KN, Anderson RA (2003). "Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes". Diabetes Care. 26(12): 3215–3218.

And as a point of interest I've seen claims that cassia has been more beneficial than Ceylon cinnamon in this respect, which is the opposite to what is generally claimed. However it also contains coumarin which can apparently be toxic in high doses, which will be what @TriciaWs was referring to?

I've sometimes had issues with it if I've over indulged slightly as it's often caused me nosebleeds in conjunction with high blood pressure.

Robbity

@Saur you also asked about other herbs & spices too:

In general I use a variety of both, in cooking/meal preparation for their flavours and if they have benefits (e;g parsley as a source of iron) then it's simply a bonus for me.

Re other spices, turmeric is also claimed to be befneficial, but again I have no evidence as it's something I've always used in cooking, and again as a tea - Pukka Turmeric Gold is one of my favourite "herb" teas. But be a bit careful wirh turmeric as its bright yellow is great for staining things (e;g; kitchen worktops) and can be difficult to remove!
 
Last edited:

Saur

Well-Known Member
Messages
160
Cinnamon's actually known as a blood thinner.

I've always used cinnamon in my cooking, and more recently as a tea. I like it but I've used from years before I was ever diagnosed with T2, so I have no evidence that it has helped in any way.

However - found in Wkipedia entry for Cinnamon:
Khan A, Safdar M, Ali Khan MM, Khattak KN, Anderson RA (2003). "Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes". Diabetes Care. 26(12): 3215–3218.

And as a point of interest I've seen claims that cassia has been more beneficial than Ceylon cinnamon in this respect, which is the opposite to what is generally claimed. However it also contains coumarin which can apparently be toxic in high doses, which will be what @TriciaWs was referring to?

I've sometimes had issues with it if I've over indulged slightly as it's often caused me nosebleeds in conjunction with high blood pressure.

Robbity

@Saur you also asked about other herbs & spices too:

In general I use a variety of both, in cooking/meal preparation for their flavours and if they have benefits (e;g parsley as a source of iron) then it's simply a bonus for me.

Re other spices, turmeric is also claimed to be befneficial, but again I have no evidence as it's something I've always used in cooking, and again as a tea - Pukka Turmeric Gold is one of my favourite "herb" teas. But be a bit careful wirh turmeric as its bright yellow is great for staining things (e;g; kitchen worktops) and can be difficult to remove!
Thankyou for your kind input.
 
Messages
6
Well I only use garlic powder myself. My A1C blood level went from 14.5 to 7.5 in just 3 months. But also I sacrificed not eating fast foods and other types of foods to get healthy. Try garlic powder it's great!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sad21+

carty

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,379
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Is there any evidence that garlic helps lower Blood glucose I eat lots of garlic but always use fresh bulbs ,that way I know it is fresh !!
Carol
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sad21+

nerovergil

BANNED
Messages
16
Is there any evidence that garlic helps lower Blood glucose I eat lots of garlic but always use fresh bulbs ,that way I know it is fresh !!
Carol
garlic seems to give positive result on me. its like stabilize the blood sugar. but still, if the blood sugar is too high, garlic is useless
 
  • Like
Reactions: Toadnbunny