Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?

Is it true that cinnamon can lower blood sugar in people who have diabetes?

- Edith / Pennsylvania

Answer

Whether cinnamon can lower blood sugar is a topic of debate — but most research suggests that cinnamon isn't an effective treatment for type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

In one preliminary 2006 study, cinnamon extract seemed to lower blood sugar in people who have type 2 diabetes. However, other studies haven't confirmed these results. Likewise, cinnamon doesn't appear to improve hemoglobin A1C levels — a reflection of average blood sugar level for the past two to three months — or cholesterol levels. At this point, it seems unlikely that cinnamon could play any role in diabetes treatment.

If you have diabetes, remember that treatment is a lifelong commitment of blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating, regular exercise and, sometimes, diabetes medications or insulin therapy. Consult your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your diabetes treatment plan.

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