Supplementation of High-Fat Diet with Cinnamon Powder has Weight-Controlling and AntiHyper- Insulinemic Effects in Wistar Rats

This study investigated the effects of cinnamon supplementation in preventing high-fat diet-related diseases in Wistar rats. Thirty (30) Wistar rats weighing an average of 120 g were divided into six (6) groups of five (5) rats in each group as follows; Groups A and B were respectively maintained on a standard diet and high-fat diet. Groups C and D were fed 2% cinnamon-supplemented HFD and 5% cinnamon-supplemented HFD respectively, while groups E and F were fed a 2% cinnamon-supplemented standard diet and 5% cinnamon-supplemented standard diet respectively. Weight changes, organ to body weight ratio, fasting blood glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and lipid profile were determined. The groups fed cinnamon-supplemented diets had lower body weight gain in comparison with the groups fed non-supplemented diets. All the groups fed either cinnamon-supplemented standard diets or cinnamonsupplemented high-fat diets had significantly (p<0.05) lower serum insulin concentration and computed HOMA-IR when compared with the group fed high-fat diet. No Significant (p>0.05) differences were observed in organ to body weight ratio and lipid profiles. It is concluded that the supplementation with cinnamon reduces the increase in weight and improves insulin sensitivity in rats exposed to a high-fat diet. However, a longer duration may be required to ascertain the possible effects of the cinnamon supplements on blood lipids.