Effects of Cinnamon on Blood Glucose among Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetic Individuals: A Comparative Study

Background: various spices display insulin-potentiating activity in vitro, cinnamon spice in particular. in vivo studies show that cinnamon may have beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis; therefore the aim of this study was to further investigate the proposed health benefits of using cinnamon in humans. methods: aim. the present study was designed to investigate effects of supplementation with cinnamon on blood glucose among type 1 and type 2 diabetics. sample. the sample consisted of 60 subjects; 30 subjects with type 1 diabetes and 30 subjects with type 2 diabetes. the doses were distributed equally over the day. cinnamon was given in the form of powder with breakfast, lunch and dinner. the doses were given for 4 weeks. blood samples were taken on weeks 0 (starting day of the experiment) 1, 2, 3 and 4. the blood serum glucose of both types 1 and type 2 diabetic groups were determined. the primary statistical analyses included: the two factors (group x time) test, repeated-measures, and anova for defining differences between the two groups over time. findings: the mean fasting serum glucose levels for cinnamon doses on weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 241.5, 177.5, 143.83, 137.17 and 126.67 mg/dl for type 1 diabetic individuals, vs mean fasting serum glucose levels were 254.33, 172.17, 138.17, 126.83 and 127.83 mg/dl for type 2 diabetic individuals. the cinnamon doses significantly (p<0.001) reduced the mean serum glucose levels among both groups.conclusions: these data support the efficacy of cinnamon on reducing fbg in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and suggest that this naturally-occurring spice can reduce risk factors associated with diabetes. in light of this research, it is recommended that type 1 & 2 diabetic individuals should use cinnamon in their food preparations on regular basis along with their antidiabetic medications. this will keep their sugar level near to normal values