Cinnamon as a Natural Modulator of Metabolic Health: A Review of Contemporary Research

Introduction and purpose of the work: The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of cinnamon supplementation on glucose regulation, metabolic indicators, and anthropometric parameters in individuals with metabolic syndrome, including type 2 diabetes. Materials and methods: An extensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed database. The review primarily included randomized controlled trials and pilot studies, focusing on the impact of cinnamon supplementation on cardiometabolic and glycemic markers. Summary: The collected clinical evidence indicates a significant positive effect of cinnamon on key glycemic indicators. Cinnamon supplementation led to a statistically significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin and fasting blood glucose, with the largest FBS decrease observed in individuals with DM2. Studies using CGM showed lower 24-hour glucose concentrations. Furthermore, an aqueous cinnamon extract significantly improved markers of oxidative stress in plasma and demonstrated strong antioxidant activity. Regarding metabolic indicators, a decrease in the concentration of LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, and an increase in HDL were observed after the intervention. In studies involving complex supplementation (containing cinnamon), a significant reduction in body weight, BMI, and waist circumference was observed, although anthropometric changes in monotherapy studies with cinnamon were often statistically insignificant. The most frequently reported adverse event was mild gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusions: The evidence suggests that cinnamon supplementation has a positive impact on metabolic health, particularly on glycemic control and lipid profile. However, it is important to emphasize the limitations of individual studies, including their short duration and the fact that they were often conducted on a small number of individuals in a specific population, which may affect the consistency of the results obtained.