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Real members of DiabetesTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

How beneficial is cinnamon for lowering blood sugars, and what form should you take ?

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭
Rocky Face, GA

I know cinnamon helps with digestion, and nausea. Straight cinnamon can be hard to swallow.

September 5
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A DiabetesTeam Member

It’s wouldful I drink it in my coffee everyday it keeps my sugar down

September 5
DiabetesTeam

Cinnamon and blood sugar management is a topic with some promising but mixed research. Here's a quick summary of what studies have found:

- It may slightly lower fasting blood glucose levels
- It could improve insulin sensitivity (how well your body uses insulin)
- It may slow carbohydrate digestion, helping keep blood Show Full Answer

Cinnamon and blood sugar management is a topic with some promising but mixed research. Here's a quick summary of what studies have found:

- It may slightly lower fasting blood glucose levels
- It could improve insulin sensitivity (how well your body uses insulin)
- It may slow carbohydrate digestion, helping keep blood sugar steadier after meals
- A modest reduction in A1c has been observed in some studies

However, the improvements seen are relatively small, and major diabetes organizations don't officially recommend cinnamon as a diabetes treatment. It should never replace your prescribed medications, diet, or exercise plan. As for the best form to take — totally fair point about straight cinnamon being a challenge to swallow! Here are some easier options:

- Ceylon cinnamon capsules — the most recommended form, as Ceylon cinnamon is low in a compound called coumarin, which can be harmful in large amounts
- Cinnamon tea — boiling cinnamon sticks in water is a popular method used by DiabetesTeam members
- Added to food — smoothies, oatmeal, or baked apples are tasty ways to include it

Ceylon cinnamon (also called "true cinnamon") is the safer choice over cassia cinnamon, which has higher coumarin levels and potential risks with long-term use. A few important cautions to keep in mind:

- Cinnamon can interact with diabetes medications like insulin, metformin, and GLP-1 receptor agonists, potentially causing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- The FDA issued warnings in 2024 about certain ground cinnamon products containing elevated lead levels — worth checking the FDA's alert page before buying
- Always check with your doctor before adding cinnamon supplements to your routine, especially to ensure the dosage is appropriate for you

September 5
A DiabetesTeam Member

Agree with @A DiabetesTeam Member on this one

You would need to consume 3 grams of real cinnamon a day before it made a "therapeutic" difference to your management

But every little bit helps

So if you are not looking a Single Magic Bullet to make things better, AND you LIKE Cinnamon otherwise, then sure, use the real stuff to help flavour your foods or drinks "without" seeing it as some magic formula that will make your blood sugar better

A point or two improvement here or there is not making much of a difference but if you do a Dozen or more of these little things then collectively you may see a measurable difference

But the bottom line still is - if you "need" medication then no amount or combination of traditionals or supplements or secret formulae are going to come anywhere close to the benefit of taking a single 500mg tablet of Metformin

So as long as your expectations are not outlandish, a little help here and there is worth it, if it tastes good and you don't spend a fortune supplementing when real meds are needed

If all these traditional remedies and treatments actually worked, Diabetes would have ceased to exist 3 millenia before you were diagnosed....

September 5
A DiabetesTeam Member

I put Cinnamon on my tea/coffee daily and it's helping me with my BS result

September 6
A DiabetesTeam Member

I take a cinnamon supplement have for about 5 yrs. When I first started i kept a log of sugar vs cin intake . Days I took cin with meals worked best. I have a 20 pt dif in fasting numbers on days I take my cinnamon! It’s been consistent for me. I also take berberine but do not have a consistent lowering for that supplement

September 6

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