Cinnamon may have an effect on insulin, according to research appearing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2009; 89(3): 815-21). Supplementing rice pudding with three grams of cinnamon reduced postprandial blood glucose and serum insulin levels. Earlier animal research appearing in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition (2006; 25(2): 144-150) found that supplementing with cinnamon lowered blood pressure and insulin levels in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
A double-blind study that appeared in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation (2006; 36(5): 340-4). There were 79 subjects. averaging 63 years of age, with type 2 diabetes and being treated with oral medication to control blood sugar. Supplementation with cinnamon produced a mild reduction of fasting blood sugar (about 10%). The cinnamon did not reduce blood lipids or hemoglobin A1c levels. The affect was mild, but the dosage was small compared to the first study. The subjects were given three capsules containing 112 mg per capsule.
