A total of 58 type 2 diabetic patients treated only with oral hypoglycemic agents but with an HbA1c >7% were randomly assigned to receive either 2g of cinnamon or placebo daily for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, mean HbA1c decreased significantly in the cinnamon group (8.22% to 7.86%) compared with placebo group (8.55% to 8.68%, P<0.005). Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP) were also significantly reduced (P<0.001) after 12 weeks in the cinnamon group (SBP: 132.6 to 129.2 mmHg and DBP: 85.2 to 80.2 mmHg) compared with the placebo group (SBP: 134.5 to 134.9 mmHg and DBP: 86.8 to 86.1 mmHg). A significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) was observed at week 12 compared to baseline in the cinnamon group, however, the changes were not significant when compared to placebo group. There were no significant differences in serum lipid profiles between nor within the groups. Intake of 2g of cinnamon for 12 weeks significantly reduces the HbA1c, SBP and DBP among poorly controlled type 2 diabetes patients. Diabet Med. 2010.
