Cinnamon Helps Regulate Post-Meal Blood Sugar Levels

According to recent research conducted at the Malmö University Hospital, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden, adding cinnamon to a meal helped delay gastric emptyingwithout affecting satietyand lowered postprandial glucose response. The results of this research were published in the June issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The researchers noted that previous studies of patients with type 2 diabetes showed that cinnamon lowers fasting serum glucose, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol concentrations. They sought to further the research on cinnamon by studying its effect on the rate of gastric emptying, the postprandial blood glucose response, and satiety in healthy subjects.

Study subjects consumed 300 grams of rice pudding, either alone or with 6 grams of added cinnamon. The researchers then analyzed the physiological responses in the subjects.

Results showed that adding cinnamon to the rice pudding significantly delayed gastric emptying and lowered the postprandial glucose response, with the reduction in the post-meal blood glucose concentration much more noticeable and pronounced than the lowering of the gastric emptying rate (GER). Results also showed that cinnamon did not have a significant effect on satiety.

This led the researchers to conclude that the intake of 6 grams cinnamon with rice pudding reduces postprandial blood glucose and delays gastric emptying without affecting satiety and that inclusion of cinnamon in the diet lowers the postprandial glucose response, a change that is at least partially explained by a delayed GER.

The researchers note that continued study of cinnamons physiological effects and potential benefits to people with diabetes is required before making any general recommendations.