Does Cinnamon Really Lower Blood Sugar Levels? This Is The Explanation According To Study

Cinnamon illustration (Unsplash/Diana Polekhina)

JAKARTA – A person with diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow a diet that does not trigger blood sugar to rise. This method is the most accurate recommendation, but several alternative steps are sought after to combat high blood glucose.

Cinnamon has good content, but can it really help lower blood sugar levels? It's okay to add cinnamon powder in a glass of fruit juice without sugar. But when hoping for benefits to lower blood sugar levels, it needs to be examined more deeply. The reason is, type 2 diabetes needs to undergo lifestyle changes to be healthier. In addition, it is necessary to undergo the recommendation of your personal doctor who knows your overall medical history.

As reported by WebMD, Friday, February 25, it is not yet clear whether cinnamon is good for diabetes. Many studies have conducted dive studies but have not found clear conclusions. The American Diabetes Association also rejects the use of cinnamon in the treatment of diabetes. A review of ten randomized trials conducted in 2012, found that there was insufficient evidence to support the use of cinnamon as a method of controlling blood sugar.

A 2013 study, published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, involved 70 participants who took the recommended consumption of 1 gram of cinnamon per day for 30-60 days. The results did not provide an increase, remained stable, but did not differ from those who did not consume cinnamon.

Another study conducted in 2016 published in the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology involved 25 participants. The results of this study concluded that cinnamon could be beneficial for those with uncontrolled diabetes. Participants who consumed 1 gram of cinnamon for 12 weeks experienced a 17 percent reduction in fasting blood sugar levels.

In 2016 an analysis of 11 studies on cinnamon and diabetes treatment. The research was published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Of the 11 studies, only 4 met the American Diabetes Association's treatment goals. The research shows the potential for cinnamon to manage blood sugar in some people but is not a reliable alternative to traditional diabetes treatments.

So far, there have been no studies showing the negative impact of cinnamon on blood sugar. This means that cinnamon can be a less risky alternative to flavoring foods such as sugar, salt, and other flavorings.