The Effect of Cinnamon on Blood Glucose Levels
Should you be adding cinnamon to your morning coffee? Are Grandma's rolls better for you if they contain cinnamon?
What is the effect of cinnamon on blood glucose levels in people between the ages of 20-35? This experiment dives into these questions and the results could hold exciting implications into a way to approach and fight rising levels of Type II diabetes.
Introduction
The Physiological Rationale
Homeostatic control of blood glucose levels is a highly regulated mechanism in our body. The two major hormones involved in this are glucagon and insulin. When blood glucose levels drop, such as during a fasted state, alpha cells of the pancreas release glucagon. Glucagon is responsible for a mechanism known as glycogenolysis. This is when the liver breaks down glycogen stores and converts glycogen into glucose for the body to use. This effectively counters lowering glucose levels. When the opposite occurs and blood glucose levels start rising, beta cells of the pancreas release insulin. Insulin works by binding to a receptor on the liver, muscles, adipose, etc. to take in glucose from the blood. By insulin binding to its' receptor a series of events is initiated. GLUT4 moves to the cell membrane and glucose can enter these tissues. This works to lower blood glucose levels. (Silverthorn 2012)
Knowing how blood glucose levels in the blood are appropriately controlled is important to understanding how cinnamon may influence and improve the physiology of it. The use of cinnamon as a naturopathic medicine can be found in Chinese books over 4,000 years old. It was actually used to treat diabetes in ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. (Kirkham, Akilen, Sharma & Tsiami, 2009) With the escalating number of type II diabetes onset, cinnamon has become a point of interest once again. (Rafehi, Ververis, & Karagiannis, 2012)
There are several theories surrounding why, exactly, cinnamon seems to have both insulin potentiating properties as well as lowering blood glucose levels in a fasted state. (Paul & Wallace 2011). One suggestion is that cinnamon’s most active components are an a-type double linked procyanidin oligmers of the flavonoid catechins. (Kirkham, Akilen, Sharma, & Tsiami, 2009) Without going into too much detail, the mechanisms of the procyandin-stimulated glucose uptake may use the same cellular pathways as insulin. (Solomon and Blannin 2007) This supports why cinnamon may have insulin-like effects and increases glucose uptake. In in vitro studies, cinnamon has been associated with enabling GLUT4 trans-location and therefore enhancing glucose uptake. (Magistrelli, & Chezem, 2012). This mechanism is supremely complex and still needs a lot of research done to better understand it. The last mechanism in which cinnamon has been associated with lowering blood glucose levels is that it appears to reduce hyperglycemia via delayed gastric emptying. (Magistrelli & Chezem, 2012) The image below shows just how complex cinnamon's role is and how much still has yet to be understood.
Homeostatic control of blood glucose levels is a highly regulated mechanism in our body. The two major hormones involved in this are glucagon and insulin. When blood glucose levels drop, such as during a fasted state, alpha cells of the pancreas release glucagon. Glucagon is responsible for a mechanism known as glycogenolysis. This is when the liver breaks down glycogen stores and converts glycogen into glucose for the body to use. This effectively counters lowering glucose levels. When the opposite occurs and blood glucose levels start rising, beta cells of the pancreas release insulin. Insulin works by binding to a receptor on the liver, muscles, adipose, etc. to take in glucose from the blood. By insulin binding to its' receptor a series of events is initiated. GLUT4 moves to the cell membrane and glucose can enter these tissues. This works to lower blood glucose levels. (Silverthorn 2012)
Knowing how blood glucose levels in the blood are appropriately controlled is important to understanding how cinnamon may influence and improve the physiology of it. The use of cinnamon as a naturopathic medicine can be found in Chinese books over 4,000 years old. It was actually used to treat diabetes in ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. (Kirkham, Akilen, Sharma & Tsiami, 2009) With the escalating number of type II diabetes onset, cinnamon has become a point of interest once again. (Rafehi, Ververis, & Karagiannis, 2012)
There are several theories surrounding why, exactly, cinnamon seems to have both insulin potentiating properties as well as lowering blood glucose levels in a fasted state. (Paul & Wallace 2011). One suggestion is that cinnamon’s most active components are an a-type double linked procyanidin oligmers of the flavonoid catechins. (Kirkham, Akilen, Sharma, & Tsiami, 2009) Without going into too much detail, the mechanisms of the procyandin-stimulated glucose uptake may use the same cellular pathways as insulin. (Solomon and Blannin 2007) This supports why cinnamon may have insulin-like effects and increases glucose uptake. In in vitro studies, cinnamon has been associated with enabling GLUT4 trans-location and therefore enhancing glucose uptake. (Magistrelli, & Chezem, 2012). This mechanism is supremely complex and still needs a lot of research done to better understand it. The last mechanism in which cinnamon has been associated with lowering blood glucose levels is that it appears to reduce hyperglycemia via delayed gastric emptying. (Magistrelli & Chezem, 2012) The image below shows just how complex cinnamon's role is and how much still has yet to be understood.
Diabetes is one of the most common disorders of the endocrine system. It is characterized by failing to control insulin levels, which leads to abnormally elevated plasma glucose concentrations. Type 1 diabetes, results from an insulin deficiency due to beta cell destruction in the pancreas where the body’s own defense system fails to recognize the beta cells and destroys them with white blood cells and antibodies. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin deficiency or resistance, and results in an increased concentration of glucose in the blood. (Silverthorn, 2013)
Unfortunately in our country, diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions. It is estimated that this disease affects nearly 25 million people in the US. In order to reduce the prevalence of diabetes, we must come up with some solutions that will not only help those affected but also prevent others from becoming affected. In most cases, pre diabetes will become diabetes if those affected do not alter their diets and lifestyles. (CDC 2013)
One interesting medical discovery has shown that cinnamon, when ingested with a meal, can act like insulin in aiding the liver to take up more glucose and rid the blood of the high glucose levels that eventually lead to diabetes. Insulin and potentially cinnamon, aid the liver and cells of the body by absorbing excess glucose from the blood. (Solomon & Blannin 2007) Normal blood glucose levels are below 100 mg/dL while fasting and levels above 100 can indicate pre-diabetes or full blow diabetes at levels of 125 mg/dL. Diabetes is a dangerous disease because it effects the entire body. Long-term effects of diabetes can damage blood vessels, reduce the function of the eyes and the kidneys, and have detrimental effects to the nervous system. (CDC 2013)
Unfortunately in our country, diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions. It is estimated that this disease affects nearly 25 million people in the US. In order to reduce the prevalence of diabetes, we must come up with some solutions that will not only help those affected but also prevent others from becoming affected. In most cases, pre diabetes will become diabetes if those affected do not alter their diets and lifestyles. (CDC 2013)
One interesting medical discovery has shown that cinnamon, when ingested with a meal, can act like insulin in aiding the liver to take up more glucose and rid the blood of the high glucose levels that eventually lead to diabetes. Insulin and potentially cinnamon, aid the liver and cells of the body by absorbing excess glucose from the blood. (Solomon & Blannin 2007) Normal blood glucose levels are below 100 mg/dL while fasting and levels above 100 can indicate pre-diabetes or full blow diabetes at levels of 125 mg/dL. Diabetes is a dangerous disease because it effects the entire body. Long-term effects of diabetes can damage blood vessels, reduce the function of the eyes and the kidneys, and have detrimental effects to the nervous system. (CDC 2013)
Relevance
According to the CDC, at the current rate of growth in cases of diabetes, one in three people could develop type II diabetes in their lifetime. In type II diabetes, a little goes a long way. A one percent change in average blood glucose levels could decrease eye, kidney and nerve disease by 40 percent. By lowering blood glucose levels, people could prevent the onset of type II diabetes and the ill health effects after onset. (CDC 2013)
http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/ddt.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/ddt.htm
the hypothesis
When comparing blood glucose levels in healthy subjects between the ages of 20 and 35, there will be a decline in blood glucose levels when cinnamon is consumed alongside the 75g glucose drink in comparison to when cinnamon is not ingested.
The method
Getting started...
First, we designed a control blood glucose tolerance test and then we designed a blood glucose tolerance test with cinnamon to determine the effect of cinnamon.
Materials
Glucometer
Lancets
Alcohol Prep Pads
Band-Aids
75 g Glucose Drink
3 pills per subject of approximately .5 g cinnamon each
Blood glucose test strips
Subjects
10 Healthy 20 to 35 year old adults, 4 males, 6 females
Procedures
Control Glucose Tolerance Test
For each subject, a baseline fasting blood glucose level was taken. Each subject fasted at least 2 hours before the experiment. After ingestion of 75g glucose drink, the subject's blood glucose level was tested at 30 minute, 60 minute and 90 minute intervals. This first experiment served as a control to compare to the experimental Cinnamon Glucose Tolerance Test.
Experimental Cinnamon Glucose Tolerance Test
For each subject, a baseline fasting blood glucose level was taken. Each subject fasted at least 2 hours before the experiment. After ingestion of 75g glucose drink taken with approximately 1.5 g cinnamon (3 capsules), the subject's blood glucose level was tested in 30 minute intervals for the following 90 minutes.
First, we designed a control blood glucose tolerance test and then we designed a blood glucose tolerance test with cinnamon to determine the effect of cinnamon.
Materials
Glucometer
Lancets
Alcohol Prep Pads
Band-Aids
75 g Glucose Drink
3 pills per subject of approximately .5 g cinnamon each
Blood glucose test strips
Subjects
10 Healthy 20 to 35 year old adults, 4 males, 6 females
Procedures
Control Glucose Tolerance Test
For each subject, a baseline fasting blood glucose level was taken. Each subject fasted at least 2 hours before the experiment. After ingestion of 75g glucose drink, the subject's blood glucose level was tested at 30 minute, 60 minute and 90 minute intervals. This first experiment served as a control to compare to the experimental Cinnamon Glucose Tolerance Test.
Experimental Cinnamon Glucose Tolerance Test
For each subject, a baseline fasting blood glucose level was taken. Each subject fasted at least 2 hours before the experiment. After ingestion of 75g glucose drink taken with approximately 1.5 g cinnamon (3 capsules), the subject's blood glucose level was tested in 30 minute intervals for the following 90 minutes.
The Results
In both experiments, the initial blood sugar readings were between 80 and 95 mg/dL. On average the control condition was slightly lower for the baseline reading. In the control experiment blood sugar appeared to peak at or just after the 30 minute time interval. The average at the 30 minute time interval was 150 mg/dL. The experimental condition when cinnamon was consumed peaked at the 30 minute time as well but only reached a value of 131.6 mg/dL. After the 30 minute readings both conditions showed a steady decline at a similar slope.
In both experiments, all data was averaged at each time interval. Using these averaged numbers, percent change from the control condition to the experimental cinnamon condition could then be calculated. The largest percent change was seen at the thirty minute interval. The initial percent change was 8.225% at time 0. Then at thirty minutes, it dropped to a -12.267%. There was again a slight decline at time 60 but then by the 90 minute reading the percent change started to rise.
The most drastic change between two time intervals was between the baseline reading of time zero and the thirty minute reading. In the control experiment the percent change increase of glucose levels was 77.09%. In the experiment when cinnamon was consumed in addition to the glucose drink, the percent change increase of glucose levels from time zero to thirty minutes was 43.56%.
In both experiments, all data was averaged at each time interval. Using these averaged numbers, percent change from the control condition to the experimental cinnamon condition could then be calculated. The largest percent change was seen at the thirty minute interval. The initial percent change was 8.225% at time 0. Then at thirty minutes, it dropped to a -12.267%. There was again a slight decline at time 60 but then by the 90 minute reading the percent change started to rise.
The most drastic change between two time intervals was between the baseline reading of time zero and the thirty minute reading. In the control experiment the percent change increase of glucose levels was 77.09%. In the experiment when cinnamon was consumed in addition to the glucose drink, the percent change increase of glucose levels from time zero to thirty minutes was 43.56%.
in CONCLUSION
Just in time for the holidays!!! Based on the results, the hypothesis was supported. In both trials, the glucose readings taken during the fasted state were all in a healthy, similar range.
The largest difference seen between the control and the cinnamon intake was the data collected at the thirty minute mark. When subjects consumed cinnamon there was a 43.56% increase from the initial time zero blood glucose reading. This is remarkably small considering the control experiment showed a 77.09% increase from the baseline.
The slope of decline after the thirty minute reading had a similar slope in both experiments however, since blood glucose levels did not reach as high when cinnamon was consumed, those readings were on average lower. This indicates that perhaps cinnamon helps the body with the initial shock of a large amount of glucose in the body.
An interesting element of this study was that it was tested on healthy, young subjects. All previous research we found had done experiments on diabetics, on rats or using large amounts of cinnamon. Perhaps discovering the mechanisms of cinnamon on healthy individuals could be a logical step before trying to test the effectiveness of cinnamon on diabetics. Again this effect could serve as a preventive measure as well.
The largest difference seen between the control and the cinnamon intake was the data collected at the thirty minute mark. When subjects consumed cinnamon there was a 43.56% increase from the initial time zero blood glucose reading. This is remarkably small considering the control experiment showed a 77.09% increase from the baseline.
The slope of decline after the thirty minute reading had a similar slope in both experiments however, since blood glucose levels did not reach as high when cinnamon was consumed, those readings were on average lower. This indicates that perhaps cinnamon helps the body with the initial shock of a large amount of glucose in the body.
An interesting element of this study was that it was tested on healthy, young subjects. All previous research we found had done experiments on diabetics, on rats or using large amounts of cinnamon. Perhaps discovering the mechanisms of cinnamon on healthy individuals could be a logical step before trying to test the effectiveness of cinnamon on diabetics. Again this effect could serve as a preventive measure as well.
Strengths and Limitations
Limitations of the experiment
We used past data from the glucose tolerance test in class to serve as the control for some of the subjects, so there could have been error there. The conditions of the experiment were not identical for all subjects, the time of day and length of fasting time varied. This experiment had ten subjects. As always, the more subjects, the better and more reliable the data.
The reason why the cinnamon control experiment started with higher blood sugars may have been due to that. The properties of the cinnamon that contribute to the change in blood sugar are ultimately not understood.
No placebo pill was given in the control, so psychological factors may be at play. The test was not blinded, therefore the subjects and experimenters knew what substance was being used. Variance in the equipment used could add to error, there were occasional glitches in the reading that required a retake.
It would have been desirable for the subjects to avoid cinnamon products before the experiment. Individual variation in digestion and metabolism would also plays a role in whether or not cinnamon would work in that individual. The standard deviation for the control experiment was relatively high.
We used past data from the glucose tolerance test in class to serve as the control for some of the subjects, so there could have been error there. The conditions of the experiment were not identical for all subjects, the time of day and length of fasting time varied. This experiment had ten subjects. As always, the more subjects, the better and more reliable the data.
The reason why the cinnamon control experiment started with higher blood sugars may have been due to that. The properties of the cinnamon that contribute to the change in blood sugar are ultimately not understood.
No placebo pill was given in the control, so psychological factors may be at play. The test was not blinded, therefore the subjects and experimenters knew what substance was being used. Variance in the equipment used could add to error, there were occasional glitches in the reading that required a retake.
It would have been desirable for the subjects to avoid cinnamon products before the experiment. Individual variation in digestion and metabolism would also plays a role in whether or not cinnamon would work in that individual. The standard deviation for the control experiment was relatively high.
Strengths of the experiment
All subjects did fast for at least two hours. Similar experiments have been done on type II diabetes, on healthy males, or postmenopausal females but none really took a more gender balanced approach on healthy adults. Our experiment was relatively simple and straightforward. There was little error on reading the results, as the readings were just transferred straight from the glucometer to
the database.
All subjects did fast for at least two hours. Similar experiments have been done on type II diabetes, on healthy males, or postmenopausal females but none really took a more gender balanced approach on healthy adults. Our experiment was relatively simple and straightforward. There was little error on reading the results, as the readings were just transferred straight from the glucometer to
the database.
Future Directions
Future Directions
Saying "I do" to cinnamon. Mechanisms of how cinnamon functions need to be explored further. Cinnamon could be used to help pre-diabetics, diabetics, and healthy people to lower blood glucose levels. This could be a treatment method or a preventive measure. This could also be used to moderate “sugar highs,” since many subjects also reported less nausea and lightheaded-ness. While this was not a part of our experiment this could be part of a future experiment. There may even be potential for cinnamon to be used as a way to help moderate diet.
Saying "I do" to cinnamon. Mechanisms of how cinnamon functions need to be explored further. Cinnamon could be used to help pre-diabetics, diabetics, and healthy people to lower blood glucose levels. This could be a treatment method or a preventive measure. This could also be used to moderate “sugar highs,” since many subjects also reported less nausea and lightheaded-ness. While this was not a part of our experiment this could be part of a future experiment. There may even be potential for cinnamon to be used as a way to help moderate diet.