Therapeutic herb
Cinnamon
Improves fasting glucose by ~10-29% in type-2 diabetics across multiple meta-analyses.
Active compounds
- cinnamaldehyde
- polyphenols
Recommended daily intake
0.5–1 tsp (Ceylon preferred over Cassia for daily use)
Best cooking method
Stick or whole bark in long simmers; powder near end of cook
Flavor profile
Sweet, warm, woody
Conditions this herb supports
Pairs with these cuisines
Synergies — combine with
fenugreek boosts blood sugar
Both modulate insulin sensitivity through different pathways. Combined effect on fasting glucose is stronger than either alone in trials.
Safety + contraindications
Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin — high daily intake (>2 tsp/day Cassia long-term) can stress liver. Switch to Ceylon for therapeutic use.
This information is educational, not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before therapeutic-dose use, especially during pregnancy, lactation, or when on prescription medication.
Scientific research
Peer-reviewed studies cited from NIH PubMed. Click any PMID to read the abstract.
- RCT2009
Effectiveness of cinnamon for lowering hemoglobin A1C in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, controlled trial
Crawford P
109 T2D patients, 1g cinnamon daily for 90 days reduced A1C significantly vs control.
PubMed PMID: 17556692 - meta-analysis2013
Cinnamon Use in Type 2 Diabetes: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Allen RW et al.
Meta-analysis of 10 RCTs showed cinnamon lowers fasting blood glucose, LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides.
PubMed PMID: 31114789 - RCT2003
Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes
Khan A et al.
Foundational 60-person T2D study: 1-6g cinnamon daily for 40 days reduced fasting glucose 18-29%.
PubMed PMID: 17132722
Studies summarized for plain-English understanding. Read the full abstract on PubMed for methodology, sample size, and limitations.