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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BHNRC) » Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center » Diet, Genomics and Immunology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #210159
Title: Cinnamon, glucose and insulin sensitivity

Author
item Anderson, Richard
item ROUSSEL, ANNE - JOSEF FOURIER U, GRENOBLE

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/5/2007
Publication Date: 1/20/2008
Citation: Anderson, R.A., Roussel, A. 2008. Cinnamon, glucose and insulin sensitivity. Book Chapter.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Compounds found in cinnamon not only improve the function of insulin but also function as antioxidants and may be anti-inflammatory. This is very important since insulin function, antioxidant status, and inflammatory response are closely linked; with decreased insulin sensitivity there is also decreased antioxidant capacity. For example, people with metabolic syndrome or diabetes have both decreased insulin sensitivity and decreased antioxidant status. Type A procyanidin polymers were isolated from cinnamon that function both as antioxidants and also enhance insulin function, but there are also other cinnamon compounds that may be beneficial. Animal and human studies involving subjects with the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome show beneficial effects of whole cinnamon and aqueous extracts of cinnamon on glucose, insulin, lipids, and antioxidant status. There also may be effects of the cinnamon compounds on lean body mass, body composition, and inflammatory response. All of these effects would lead to decreased risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.