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You are here: Home / Understanding Diabetes / Does Cinnamon Help Diabetes?

Does Cinnamon Help Diabetes?

June 22, 2020 By Toby Smithson

You’ve heard it before I know. Cinnamon – a natural treatment for diabetes! Is it true?

Hi Welcome back to DiabetesEvery Day, I’m registered dietitian nutritionist and diabetes care and education specialist Toby Smithson. Please remember to hit the subscribe button and sign up for my newsletter at diabeteseveryday.com.

In today’s video, we are going to talk about cinnamon and diabetes. Hmmm, I love the smell of cinnamon and also love using it as a flavoring in my morning oatmeal and other foods. I love the smell and taste of cinnamon!

I’ve been getting the question about cinnamon and its effects on blood sugar levels, so let’s take a look at what the science-based evidence shows about using cinnamon as a treatment for managing diabetes.

Science Behind Cinnamon

Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of  Cinnamomum trees.  It’s actually important to know that there are two main types of cinnamon, Ceylon from Sri Lanka which is considered a “true cinnamon” and Cassia which is less expensive cinnamon. Here’s why…..

Cinnamon contains bioactive ingredients including antioxidants, and some studies have shown health benefits to cholesterol and triglyceride levels, to blood pressure, and modest improvements in post-meal blood glucose spikes and fasting blood glucose levels. Studies looking at A1C – a measure of average blood sugar levels – have been inconclusive, however.

Be Sure To Check Out – One Simple Step To Naturally Lower Your A1C

Ceylon? Cassia? Daily Intake Limit?

Things get a little tricky when we start talking about how much to take. One study showed that taking 1 ½ teaspoon of cinnamon with rice that’s about 6 grams led to slower digestion of the rice and a lower blood sugar spike.

But the European Food Agency has set the daily intake limit for Cassia cinnamon at ½ teaspoon per day – 2.5 grams – due to a compound called coumarin. Cassia cinnamon has about 250 times the coumarin as Ceylon, and coumarin is suspected of causing liver damage at high doses.

Can you tell the difference between Ceylon and Cassia? Do you trust unregulated supplement labels?

My Advice

Use cinnamon regularly to flavor your foods….it is fantastic stuff. But, even under the best circumstances, it is not a treatment for diabetes. Having some protein or fat along with that bowl of rice instead of 6 grams of cinnamon will lower blood sugar spikes too. And if you’re thing about the higher dose supplements, talk to your doctor first.

You May Also Enjoy:

  • How To Make a Successful New Year’s Resolution for Diabetes
  • Can Drinking Water Help My Blood Sugar?
  • Are Smoothies Good For My Diabetes?
  • Is Insulin Right For Your Diabetes?
  • Sneaky Exercise For Your Diabetes Health

Filed Under: Understanding Diabetes

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Toby Smithson dynamically combines her knowledge as a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian nutritionist with her life experiences successfully managing type 1 diabetes for more than five decades.

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Have you tried this yet? Most definitely top of my list of things to do lately. This #video is worth viewing for everyone, not just for people with #diabetes. Link to video in bio  #diabetesmanagement #forestbathing #forestbathing🌲🌲🌲 #type1diabetes #type2diabetes  #type1 #type2 #relaxation #stressrelief #stressmanagement #stressreliever

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Double thankful: got my #COVID19 #vaccine today and so glad to be living in a small town because it was quick and easy...no waiting in any line, vaccine didn’t hurt, staff was super friendly and people I knew from my neighborhood! #Igotmyshot

Double thankful: got my #COVID19 #vaccine today and so glad to be living in a small town because it was quick and easy...no waiting in any line, vaccine didn’t hurt, staff was super friendly and people I knew from my neighborhood! #Igotmyshot ...

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Need some distraction from the stress of the day? These two springers are step
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Need some distraction from the stress of the day? These two springers are step
Sisters. Rescued from the same household several states away and coincidentally reunited as the owners (myself and Diane Myers-Mosher) live in the same subdivision. ❤️ #englishspringerspaniels #englishspringerrescue #englishspringerrescueassociation @dimmosher
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Needing a distraction from the news? Let’s talk healthy eating for the new year for people with #diabetes - Starting soon. @diabetesstrong_ig

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Jan 6

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Follow up #video with a #recipe for a #diabetesfriendly #smoothie . #youtubevideo link in my bio. #diabetesmanagement #diabeteslife #healthyeating #type1diabetes #type2diabetes  #nutrition #haveaplant #diabetescommunity #diabetesonlinecommunity

Follow up #video with a #recipe for a #diabetesfriendly #smoothie . #youtubevideo link in my bio. #diabetesmanagement #diabeteslife #healthyeating #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #nutrition #haveaplant #diabetescommunity #diabetesonlinecommunity ...

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Jan 6

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Big week in my world as a registered dietitian. @usnews News 2021 Best Diets have been published and I am very honored to  be part of the expert panel ranking the #diets. 
Here’s the link to see the list.  #bestdiet #healthyeating #weightloss #usnewsandworldreport https://health.usnews.com/best-diet

Big week in my world as a registered dietitian. @usnews News 2021 Best Diets have been published and I am very honored to be part of the expert panel ranking the #diets.
Here’s the link to see the list. #bestdiet #healthyeating #weightloss #usnewsandworldreport https://health.usnews.com/best-diet
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Jan 4

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Excited for starting off this New Year with a couple of online chats about #HealthyEating for People with #Diabetes. First up is on January 6th, where I will be the guest for #diabetesstrong Fit with Diabetes Challenge Webinar.  Diabetes Strong Diabetes Strong Community #diabetesonlinecommunity #newyearsresolutions  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/2716092874267/WN_Oz0vz_XWTwuueLWnDIpUjw

Excited for starting off this New Year with a couple of online chats about #HealthyEating for People with #Diabetes. First up is on January 6th, where I will be the guest for #diabetesstrong Fit with Diabetes Challenge Webinar. Diabetes Strong Diabetes Strong Community #diabetesonlinecommunity #newyearsresolutions https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/2716092874267/WN_Oz0vz_XWTwuueLWnDIpUjw ...

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Dec 30

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I’m definitely excited to ring in the New Year. Make 2020 history. The video this week will give you guidance regarding this #NewYearsresolutions. Wishing you all a safe and healthy #newyear 
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I’m definitely excited to ring in the New Year. Make 2020 history. The video this week will give you guidance regarding this #NewYearsresolutions. Wishing you all a safe and healthy #newyear
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Dec 23

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Wishing all who celebrate, a happy and healthy holiday season. Make sure to stay hydrated with a focus on #water. Check out this #video on how much and why  drinking water is important especially for people with #diabetes 
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Dec 22

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Had fun developing a #diabetesfriendly #snack  using a bento box from @NationalDairyCouncil and @TodaysDietitianMagazine to make this Greek #yogurt #Apple pie with #almonds parfait. #diabetes #snacking #TDBox #nationaldairycouncil #NDC #protein #carbs #healthyfats #dairy

Had fun developing a #diabetesfriendly #snack using a bento box from @NationalDairyCouncil and @TodaysDietitianMagazine to make this Greek #yogurt #Apple pie with #almonds parfait. #diabetes #snacking #TDBox #nationaldairycouncil #NDC #protein #carbs #healthyfats #dairy ...

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Dear Subscribers, Thanks for asking this question...Are #smoothies ok for people with #diabetes? The answers are in this week's #youtube #video 
Located in my bio. #diabetescommunityonline #diabetesmanagement #diabeteseducation #diabetesfriendly #healthyeating #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #diabetescommunity #fruitsandveggies #plantbasedfood #plants #wheyprotein #wheyproteinshake #wheyproteinpowder #nutribullet #peanutbutter #almondbutter

Dear Subscribers, Thanks for asking this question...Are #smoothies ok for people with #diabetes? The answers are in this week's #youtube #video
Located in my bio. #diabetescommunityonline #diabetesmanagement #diabeteseducation #diabetesfriendly #healthyeating #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #diabetescommunity #fruitsandveggies #plantbasedfood #plants #wheyprotein #wheyproteinshake #wheyproteinpowder #nutribullet #peanutbutter #almondbutter
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Dec 14

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I’ve been especially cognizant of keeping a stash of emergency food/ meals in my pantry ever since #COVID19 began. Had received a sample of this #starkistcreations tuna and it was delicious! It’s now on my grocery shopping list to keep in stock. TY @todaysdietitianmagazine for the #tdbox @starkistcharlie #healthyeating #balancedmeals ...

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Hoping to clear up any confusion about #insulin for people with #diabetes. Link to video in bio under #youtube  #diabetesmanagement #diabetesredefined #diabetesonlinecommunity #diabetescommunity #bloodsugar

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For those trying to stick with low carb food choices, here’s a creative option if you’d like to eat a loaded “potato”. Link in bio under #youtube #haveaplant #diabetes #diabetesmanagement #healthyeating #bloodsugar #gettingcreativewithyourmeals

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Nov 27

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After #thanksgiving post about #physicalactivity . No need to go to a gym. I’ve got some ideas while you #staysafeathome  TY to our #englishspringerspaniel  and my husband @smithsonanthony for helping w this #youtube #video. Link in bio. #diabetes #diabetestype1 #diabetestype2 #diabetesmanagement #exercise #diabetesonlinecommunity #diabetesonline #diabetescommunity #staysafe #englishspringerspanielsofinstagram #englishspringerspanielrescue #englishspringerrescueamerica

After #thanksgiving post about #physicalactivity . No need to go to a gym. I’ve got some ideas while you #staysafeathome TY to our #englishspringerspaniel and my husband @smithsonanthony for helping w this #youtube #video. Link in bio. #diabetes #diabetestype1 #diabetestype2 #diabetesmanagement #exercise #diabetesonlinecommunity #diabetesonline #diabetescommunity #staysafe #englishspringerspanielsofinstagram #englishspringerspanielrescue #englishspringerrescueamerica ...

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Nov 26

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Glad our #Thanksgiving tradition is COVID safe. Wishing all who celebrate, a happy and safe holiday. #englishspringerrescueamerica #englishspringerspaniel #englishspringersofinstagram

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Nov 21

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Curious about which breakfast is the best idea for people with #diabetes ? Check out the link to my latest #youtube #video in my bio.  #diabetestype1 #diabetestype2 #diabetesmanagement #diabetescommunity #diabetesmonth #everydaydiabetes #diabetesonlinecommunity #diabetesredefined #cereal #oatmeal #bagel #eggsforbreakfast #eggs #eggenthusiast #hempseeds #whatshouldieat #whatshouldieatforbreakfasttoday #fiber #complexcarbs #almonds #goodkarmamilk #eatyourveggies #almondbutter #peanutbutter #wholegrain @peanutrd

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Nov 18

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Love this #zucchini casserole as an everyday #sidedish or for #thanksgiving dinner! #diabetesfriendly #lowcarb #diabetestype1 #diabetestype2 #diabetesonlinecommunity #diabetesonline #diabetesmanagement #healthyeating #haveaplant #moreveggies @marlenekochrd

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