Research about the effects of cinnamon on blood sugar and metabolism has shown promising results. Although cinnamon is not currently recommended as a treatment for blood sugar control or diabetes, the following summary of research shows its potential. Keep in mind that the studies mostly use cinnamon extract rather than cinnamon oil.
About Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a common spice from a large subtropical tree. The tree's bark and leaves are distilled to produce cinnamon essential oil. The Essential Oils Desk Reference indicates that conditions for which cinnamon essential oil treatment is helpful include cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, viral infections and digestive complaints.
Cinnamon and Insulin Response
Insulin is the hormone that regulates sugar (glucose) metabolism and controls blood sugar levels. In type 2 diabetes, the problem is that cells have lost their sensitivity to insulin. Improving cells' sensitivity to insulin is an important part of controlling blood sugar. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) chemist Richard A. Anderson, et al., in the study, Cinnamon Extracts Boost Insulin Sensitivity, found that cinnamon made fat cells much more responsive to insulin and increased sugar metabolism about 20-fold in test tube fat cells.
Human Cinnamon Research
Research has also been done with people with type 2 diabetes. The study, Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People with Type 2 Diabetes, found that taking one, three or six grams of cinnamon each day reduces blood glucose, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. The results also suggested that cinnamon reduces risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Another study, Effects of a Cinnamon Extract on Plasma Glucose, HbA, and Serum Lipids in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, concluded that cinnamon extract appears to have a moderate effect in reducing fasting blood sugar concentrations in people with diabetes who have poor blood sugar control. Reduced fasting blood sugar levels is important in controlling diabetes.
Using Cinnamon Oil
Because cinnamon is not currently a recommended way to control blood sugar, no guidelines exist on how to use it. Anderson does share that using one-half teaspoon of cinnamon extract a day results in dramatic improvements in blood sugar, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Cautions
Cinnamon oil can irritate or even burn sensitive skin. To get the blood-sugar-lowering effects of cinnamon using cinnamon oil would require taking the oil orally, something you want to do only with a therapeutic-grade oil under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Significance
Diabetes and controlling blood sugar are serious health issues that would benefit greatly from a readily available, inexpensive treatment such as cinnamon.
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