In a new meta–analysis of 10 studies in patients with type 2 diabetes, taking cinnamon supplements improved fasting blood glucose and cholesterol levels, but not HbA1c levels. The report is published in September 9 issue in the Annals of Family Medicine.

Small doses of a cinnamon supplement could be used along with traditional diabetes medication, Cinnamomum cassia, either as natural supplement powder or capsule, was the most common form of cinnamon that was studied in the trials, and 1 tsp of cinnamon is approximately 3 g.

Cinnamon effect is attributed to its active component cinnamaldehyde.

The advantages of cinnamon are its cost, tolerability and relatively safe profile.

Long–term administration of high–dose cinnamon may possibly be unsafe due to the coumarin content of cinnamon, which has been associated with liver damage in animal studies.