Efficacy and safety of cinnamon in type 2 diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes patients: A meta-analysis and meta-regression.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 31425768 · doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2019.107815
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of cinnamon supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes. Databases searched included Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, and SCOPUS. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Chi-square and I² tests, and meta-regression was conducted to assess factors influencing treatment response.
What was found
Cinnamon significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (weighted mean difference [WMD] -0.545 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.910 to -0.18; I² = 83.6%) and HOMA-IR (WMD -0.714, 95% CI: -1.388 to -0.04; I² = 84.4%) compared with placebo. No significant changes were found for HbA1c percentage or lipid profiles. Meta-regression did not identify any factors significantly modifying treatment response.
Why it matters
This meta-analysis suggests cinnamon may improve fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity in pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes, but it shows no evidence of improving long-term glycemic control (HbA1c) or lipid markers.
Limits
High heterogeneity was present across trials (I² > 83%). The abstract omits total participant numbers, formulation types, dosage, treatment durations, and specific safety or adverse event outcomes.
Cited by
- supports Scientific research shows that cinnamon has an impact on lowering or regulating blood sugar.