Fact Check: Cinnamon water keeps type 2 diabetes in check? Know the truth

An Instagram video has gone viral with the claim that there is an easy remedy for type-2 diabetes. The video advises consuming a drink prepared by boiling cinnamon sticks to get rid of diabetes or control it to an extent.

The individuals in the video also claim that this ‘best remedy to treat type-2 diabetes’ is a ‘100 per cent effective homemade ritual that can reduce blood sugar levels in less than 24 hours.’ It also claims that the remedy will reverse the damage caused by diabetes and keep the blood sugar in the safe zone.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is misleading. Experts are facing a lack of evidence to substantiate the claim as studies on cinnamon's effect on diabetes have given contradicting results on its efficacy.

Dr G Sandeep Reddy, a consultant endocrinologist at Kamineni Hospitals, LB Nagar, said, “Cinnamon has been studied for its potential benefits in managing diabetes. However, diabetes reversal is possible only under specific conditions in type 2 diabetes. Obese individuals who have been recently diagnosed with diabetes and are taking fewer medications to manage their condition have a high probability of reversing diabetes. However, diabetes reversal is not achievable for all people with type 2 diabetes, as success depends on factors like disease duration, body weight and medications.

Inconclusive evidence

According to a 2012 systematic review analysing results from 10 randomised controlled trials, researchers concluded there was insufficient evidence to support cinnamon’s effectiveness in blood sugar control.

These findings were further validated by a 2013 clinical trial involving 70 participants, which demonstrated that daily supplementation with 1 gram of cinnamon for 30 and 60 days did not yield significant improvements in blood sugar levels.

“However, contrasting results emerged from research published in the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology in 2016. In this study of 25 individuals with poorly controlled diabetes, researchers observed that participants who consumed 1 gram of cinnamon daily for 12 weeks experienced a notable 17 per cent reduction in their fasting blood sugar levels,” Dr Sandeep added.

An analysis published in 2016 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics evaluated the existing scientific literature regarding cinnamon’s impact on blood glucose control. After examining 11 clinical studies investigating cinnamon’s role in diabetes management, researchers found that all studies demonstrated a decrease in fasting blood sugar levels. Studies that included measurements of HbA1C, a marker of long-term blood glucose control, also showed modest improvements.

“But, only four of the analysed studies achieved blood sugar reductions that met the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) therapeutic targets. These findings indicate that while cinnamon supplementation may help some individuals manage their blood sugar levels, it should not be considered a reliable substitute for established diabetes treatments”.

Another important research finding is that cinnamon does not negatively affect blood sugar. It is a safe choice for people with diabetes who want a less risky alternative to sugar, salt and other potentially harmful flavouring agents.

Cinnamon is known for its antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help lower the rate at which glucose enters the body. It may also improve insulin sensitivity and help manage blood glucose levels. Cinnamon is a spice that is available in extracts, teas and capsules. It is not effective as an isolated treatment for any condition.

“Diabetes reversal is achieved by weight loss of at least 15 per cent and requires strict diet control and exercise, not by consuming cinnamon-based drinks. The main goal of diabetes management is to prevent long-term complications, not diabetes reversal,” Dr Sandeep added.