There is ongoing debate about whether cinnamon can lower blood sugar, but recent studies suggest it may help control blood sugar levels as a supplement to regular treatments for type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes diagnosis and monitoring often use hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, reflecting average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. An HbA1c value greater than 7% indicates diabetes or poor blood sugar control.
A 2009 study found that taking cinnamon twice daily for 90 days significantly improved HbA1c levels. Researchers suggest that cinnamon's benefits may be due to its ability to enhance insulin action.
The medical community is still verifying cinnamon's effectiveness in controlling blood sugar. Even if beneficial, it should only be used as a supplement to other diabetes management strategies, including blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating, regular exercise, and necessary medications.