Cinnamon extract

Silver· human data

Also known as: Cassia cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon

A blood-sugar-support spice with modest evidence — and a coumarin caution for cassia.

Cinnamon is studied mainly for blood-sugar support, with compounds that may improve insulin sensitivity and slightly lower fasting glucose.

Human trials are mixed but suggest a modest glucose-lowering effect in some people, particularly with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. An important safety point: common cassia cinnamon is high in coumarin, which can stress the liver at high intakes, so Ceylon ('true') cinnamon is preferable for supplement-level doses.

Sources

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Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale, MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.

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