Is it true that cinnamon can lower blood sugar in people who have diabetes?

Answer From M. Regina Castro, M.D.

Despite many studies, it isn't clear whether cinnamon helps lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Some studies of cinnamon have shown a benefit. Others haven't.

Many of those research studies included different doses and different types of cinnamon. That makes it hard to compare the results. It's possible that cinnamon might help the body use insulin more efficiently. But more research is needed to determine if, and how, cinnamon supplements might help people with diabetes.

For most people, cinnamon supplements seem to be safe, at least in small amounts for short-term use. But higher amounts used for longer periods of time may trigger side effects such as gastrointestinal problems or allergic reactions. It also may cause problems for people who have liver disease. Talk to your health care provider before taking any supplements. Together, you and your provider can make sure the supplements are safe for you, and that they won't affect any medicine you're already taking.

It's also important to remember that no single supplement alone can treat diabetes. Diabetes management includes healthy eating, regular exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and sometimes, diabetes medications or insulin therapy.

With

M. Regina Castro, M.D.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

April 04, 2023 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Medication-free hypertension control
  2. A1C test
  3. Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?
  4. Alpha blockers
  5. Amputation and diabetes
  6. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
  7. Angiotensin II receptor blockers
  8. Anxiety: A cause of high blood pressure?
  9. Artificial sweeteners: Any effect on blood sugar?
  10. Bariatric surgery
  11. Beta blockers
  12. Beta blockers: Do they cause weight gain?
  13. Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise?
  14. Blood glucose meters
  15. Blood glucose monitors
  16. Blood pressure: Can it be higher in one arm?
  17. Blood pressure chart
  18. Blood pressure cuff: Does size matter?
  19. Blood pressure: Does it have a daily pattern?
  20. Blood pressure: Is it affected by cold weather?
  21. Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight?
  22. Blood pressure medications: Can they raise my triglycerides?
  23. Blood pressure readings: Why higher at home?
  24. Blood pressure tip: Get more potassium
  25. Blood pressure tip: Get off the couch
  26. Blood pressure tip: Know alcohol limits
  27. Blood pressure tip: Stress out no more
  28. Blood pressure tip: Watch the caffeine
  29. Blood pressure tip: Watch your weight
  30. Blood sugar levels can fluctuate for many reasons
  31. Blood sugar testing: Why, when and how
  32. Bone and joint problems associated with diabetes
  33. Pancreas transplant animation
  34. Caffeine and hypertension
  35. Calcium channel blockers
  36. Calcium supplements: Do they interfere with blood pressure drugs?
  37. Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure?
  38. Central-acting agents
  39. Choosing blood pressure medications
  40. COVID-19: Who's at higher risk of serious symptoms?
  41. Diabetes
  42. Diabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditions
  43. Diabetes and exercise: When to monitor your blood sugar
  44. Diabetes and fasting: Can I fast during Ramadan?
  45. Diabetes and foot care
  46. Diabetes and heat
  47. 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications
  48. Diabetes diet: Should I avoid sweet fruits?
  49. Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan
  50. Diabetes foods: Can I substitute honey for sugar?
  51. Diabetes and liver
  52. Diabetes management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugar
  53. Diabetes: Eating out
  54. Diabetes nutrition: Sweets
  55. Diabetes symptoms
  56. Using insulin
  57. Diabetic Gastroparesis
  58. Diuretics
  59. Diuretics: A cause of low potassium?
  60. Do you know your blood pressure?
  61. Erectile dysfunction and diabetes
  62. High blood pressure and exercise
  63. Exercise and chronic disease
  64. Fatigue
  65. Free blood pressure machines: Are they accurate?
  66. Frequent urination
  67. Home blood pressure monitoring
  68. Glucose tolerance test
  69. Glycemic index: A helpful tool for diabetes?
  70. Hemochromatosis
  71. High blood pressure (hypertension)
  72. High blood pressure and cold remedies: Which are safe?
  73. High blood pressure and sex
  74. High blood pressure: Can you prevent it?
  75. High blood pressure dangers
  76. What is hypertension? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.
  77. Hypertension FAQs
  78. Hypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms?
  79. Insulin and weight gain
  80. Isolated systolic hypertension: A health concern?
  81. Kidney disease FAQs
  82. L-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure?
  83. Late-night eating: OK if you have diabetes?
  84. Low-phosphorus diet: Helpful for kidney disease?
  85. Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressure
  86. Menopause and high blood pressure: What's the connection?
  87. Infographic: Pancreas Kidney Transplant
  88. Pancreas transplant
  89. Pulse pressure: An indicator of heart health?
  90. Reactive hypoglycemia: What can I do?
  91. Reading food labels
  92. Resperate: Can it help reduce blood pressure?
  93. Sleep deprivation: A cause of high blood pressure?
  94. Blood sugar testing
  95. Stress and high blood pressure
  96. The dawn phenomenon: What can you do?
  97. Unexplained weight loss
  98. Vasodilators
  99. Vegetarian diet: Can it help me control my diabetes?
  100. How diabetes affects your blood sugar
  101. How to measure blood pressure using a manual monitor
  102. How to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor
  103. What is blood pressure?
  104. Can a lack of vitamin D cause high blood pressure?
  105. Weight Loss Surgery Options
  106. What's your high blood pressure risk?
  107. White coat hypertension
  108. Wrist blood pressure monitors: Are they accurate?