The effect of short-term cinnamon supplementation in healthy subjects

Cinnamon has been previously studied for its insulin-potentiating activity in many in vitro and in vivo studies. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cinnamon supplementation on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) blood lipid profile body composition and standard markers of health including blood pressure heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV). Several markers including glucose tolerance insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity were also measured at baseline and after intervention. A total of ten healthy individuals were recruited to receive 3 g of cinnamon daily for one week. After seven days of treatment significant decreases were observed in FPG glucose responses to oral glucose tolerance test and HRV compared to baseline but there were no significant changes in the lipid profile anthropometric variables blood pressure heart rate or insulin sensitivity/resistance indexes. In conclusion the current study suggests that consuming 3 g of cinnamon per day may be effective in improving glycaemic status and therefore reducing risk factors related related to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.