Cinnamon and Diabetes (2024)

It’s fine to sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal or use it in baking. Go ahead and enjoy it if you like its taste. But if you hope that it will help you manage your diabetes, you might want to pause before you head to your spice rack.

It's not yet clear if cinnamon is good for diabetes. Research findings have been mixed, and the American Diabetes Association dismisses cinnamon’s use in diabetes treatment.

Several small studies have linked cinnamon to better blood sugar levels. Some of this work shows it may curb blood sugar by lowering insulin resistance.

In one study, volunteers ate from 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon for 40 days. (One gram of ground cinnamon is about half a teaspoon.) The researchers found that cinnamon cut cholesterol by about 18% and blood sugar levels by 24%. But in other studies, the spice did not lower blood sugar or cholesterol levels.

Is Cinnamon Safe for People With Diabetes?

Unless you have liver damage, it should be OK for you to enjoy it in food. If you do have liver problems, be careful, because large amounts of cinnamon may make them worse.

If you are considering cinnamon supplements, talk with your doctor first, especially if you take any medication. Also, look for brands labeled with a quality seal. These include the NSF International, US Pharmacopeia, or Consumerlab seal. This helps assure that the supplement actually has the ingredients stated on the label and doesn't have any contaminants or potentially harmful ingredients.

Unlike medications, supplement makers don't have to prove their products are safe or effective. But the FDA can order a supplement off the market if it proves it's unsafe.

Does Cinnamon Interact With Other Herbs or Drugs?

Use caution if you also take other supplements that lower blood sugar levels, including:

The same holds true with diabetes medications. If you and your doctor decide it's OK for you to try cinnamon, pay close attention to your blood sugar levels. Tell your doctor if your levels fall too low.

Taking cinnamon with drugs that affect the liver may make liver problems more likely.

Cinnamon and Diabetes (2024)

FAQs

How much cinnamon can a diabetic have daily? ›

It's probably best not to exceed 0.5–1 g of Cassia daily, but taking up to 1.2 tsp (6 g) daily of Ceylon cinnamon is likely safe.

What is the best way to take cinnamon to lower blood sugar? ›

If you do want to add cinnamon to your diet, however, the best way to do it is to sprinkle it on your oatmeal or cook with about one-half teaspoon to one teaspoon daily. Using cinnamon in its whole form in food, instead of in a tablet, is always best.

What are the side effects of taking cinnamon for diabetes? ›

For most people, cinnamon supplements seem to be safe, at least in small amounts for short-term use. But higher amounts used for longer periods of time may trigger side effects such as gastrointestinal problems or allergic reactions. It also may cause problems for people who have liver disease.

Can I take cinnamon with metformin? ›

Cinnamon has a beneficial role in improving the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Concurrent use of cinnamon and the antidiabetic drug "metformin" could have undesirable effects on glucose metabolism.

Which is better for diabetes, turmeric or cinnamon? ›

Turmeric, mostly at doses of 500–1000 mg per day, might help reduce pain levels and inflammation. Cinnamon, on the other hand, has been shown to help reduce blood sugar levels. Since doctors consider diabetes to be an inflammatory condition, a person could benefit from consuming both cinnamon and turmeric.

Is it better to take cinnamon in the morning or at night? ›

The advantages of drinking cinnamon tea before bed include supporting a weight loss program and easing sore muscles. Additionally, it promotes digestion of the food consumed during the day, speeds up metabolism, and helps with weight loss. And it continues to function as you restfully sleep the next day.

What herb lowers blood sugar quickly? ›

What herbs are the best for lowering blood sugar?
  • American ginseng.
  • Bay leaf.
  • Bitter gourd.
  • Cayenne.
  • Turmeric (Curcumin)
  • Fenugreek.
  • Flaxseed.
  • Ginger.

What drink lowers blood sugar? ›

Drinking water is an excellent way to stay hydrated without consuming sugar. Green tea, cow's milk, and fermented milk (kefir) could also help you manage your blood sugar responses. Coffee also contains compounds that may help regulate blood sugar, but confirming this requires more research.

What to add to warm water before bed for diabetes? ›

Add two tablespoons of vinegar to a tall glass of water. Do not drink apple cider vinegar straight. Always dilate it before consuming it. You can once check with your doctor before adding apple cider vinegar to your diet to manage blood sugar levels.

Who should not drink cinnamon? ›

Given the lack of evidence about its safety, children, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding should avoid cinnamon as a treatment. Lower blood sugar. It may affect your blood sugar, so if you have diabetes and take cinnamon supplements, you might need to adjust your treatment.

What happens if you consume cinnamon every day? ›

The concern with eating too much cinnamon relates to its coumarin content, which in excessive amounts, could increase your chance of liver damage. Sticking to no more than half a teaspoon daily is also a good idea because different types and brands of cinnamon might have different quantities of coumarin in them.

Does cinnamon reduce belly fat? ›

Cinnamon can also improve body metabolism, targeting the fat deposited in the abdominal area. Cinnamon can help weight loss in many ways. For instance, research says that cinnamon supplementation can result in a significant improvement in all components of metabolic syndrome.

Will cinnamon lower A1C? ›

HbA1c was drawn at baseline and 90 days and compared with intention-to-treat analysis. This study was approved by an institutional review board. Results: Cinnamon lowered HbA1C 0.83% (95% CI, 0.46-1.20) compared with usual care alone lowering HbA1C 0.37% (95% CI, 0.15-0.59).

How many mg of cinnamon should a diabetic take a day? ›

Adding Cinnamon to Your Diet

There are no guidelines for the appropriate use of these supplements, although some manufacturers recommend 2,000 milligrams (mg) per day. That said, adding reasonable amounts of cinnamon to food isn't likely to be harmful.

What medications does cinnamon interfere with? ›

In theory, cinnamon may interact with blood-thinning medications due to the presence of coumarin. American ginseng and cinnamon both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor. antithrombin alfa and cinnamon both increase anticoagulation.

How many teaspoons is 120 mg of cinnamon? ›

One teaspoon of ground cinnamon weighs 2.6 g, so 120 mg (0.12 g) is 4.6% of a teaspoon, about 1/23 of a teaspoon.

How much is 2 grams of cinnamon? ›

A: 1000mg=1gram, 2000mg=2grams, 2grams of powdered cinnamon= ~ 1/4 teaspoon.

Is 1200 mg of Ceylon cinnamon safe? ›

According to scientific analysis, the 1,200 mg safety limit for Ceylon cinnamon depends on each person's capacity.

Can diabetics eat honey and cinnamon? ›

While more research is warranted, these studies show that natural ingredients like honey and cinnamon not only taste good, but are also good for you. However, consumers need to be wary and read the labels. Opt for real honey, not fake and look for Ceylon cinnamon if reducing diabetes risk factors is your goal.

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