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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Healthy Processed Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #255729

Title: Cinnamon intake lowers fasting blood glucose: an updated meta-analysis

Author
item DAVIS, PAUL - University Of California
item Yokoyama, Wallace - Wally

Submitted to: Journal of Medicinal Foods
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2010
Publication Date: 9/9/2011
Citation: Davis, P.A., Yokoyama, W.H. 2011. Cinnamon intake lowers fasting blood glucose: an updated meta-analysis. Journal of Medicinal Foods. 14(9):884-889. DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2010.0180.

Interpretive Summary: The ability of cinnamon and water extracts of cinnamon to improve fasting blood glucose was first reported by USDA scientists in Beltsville. Since then many small clinical trials have been reported. These trials have been analyzed by meta-analysis and show that a small but significant improvement in fasting blood glucose occurs by subjects taking cinnamon or cinnamon water extract supplements.

Technical Abstract: OBJECTIVE – To determine if meta-analysis of recent clinical studies of cinnamon intake by people with Type II diabetes and/or prediabetes resulted in significant changes in fasting blood glucose. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -- Published clinical studies were identified using a literature search (Pub Med, Biosis through June 2010) of randomized, placebo-controlled trials reporting data on cinnamon and/or cinnamon extract and fasting blood glucose. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model that determined the standardized mean difference, i.e. Change 1(control)- Change 2(cinnamon) divided by the pooled SD of the post scores. RESULTS -- The meta-analysis of eight prospective randomized controlled trials showed that consuming cinnamon or as cinnamon extract only, produces a statistically significant lowering in fasting plasma glucose - 0.49 ± 0.2 mM/L (8.77 ±3.52 mg/dl); all studies (N=8, p=0.025) and -0.48mM/L ± 0.17 ( 8.7 ±3.10 mg/dl); Cinnamon extract only (N=5, p=0.008)) CONCLUSIONS – Cinnamon extract and/or cinnamon improves fasting plasma glucose in people with type II diabetes or prediabetes.