SYS ONLINE
SUPPLEMENT_SCHOLAR
evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Herb

Cinnamon

aka Cinnamomum cassia · Ceylon

Common spice with modest glucose-lowering effects (cassia type studied most).

Blood Sugar Management

Overview

Common spice with modest glucose-lowering effects (cassia type studied most).

Natural sources
  • Cinnamomum cassia
  • Ceylon
Common forms
  • Cassia powder
  • Ceylon powder
  • Standardized extract

Mechanism of action

Methylhydroxychalcone polymer mimics insulin signaling.

Pathways
  • · Insulin signaling potentiation

Effects on the body

Decreases
Fasting glucose

Organ system effects

Liver

High-dose cassia (coumarin) is hepatotoxic.

Evidence-based benefits

Modest fasting glucose reduction in T2D

Moderate evidence

Potential side effects

Common
    Rare
      Serious
      • · Hepatotoxicity (cassia, high dose chronically)

      Drug interactions

      Antidiabetics
      Additive.
      minor
      Warfarin
      Coumarin content (cassia).
      moderate

      Safety & non-supplemental interactions

      Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

      Avoid if you are
      • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
      • ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)

      Supplement interactions

      Pairs well with

      None listed.

      Avoid combining with
      • High-dose cassia
        Use Ceylon for chronic use to limit coumarin.

      Dosing & bioavailability

      Typical dose
      1–3 g cassia or higher Ceylon

      Where to buy

      Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

      Herb
      Cinnamon
      Amazon
      Wide selection · fast shipping
      Herb
      Cinnamon
      iHerb
      Global delivery · curated brands
      Herb
      Cinnamon
      Thorne
      Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

      Scientific evidence (8)

      Meta-analysisAnn Fam Med · 2013

      Cinnamon and glycemic control: a meta-analysis

      Allen RW, et al.

      Meta-analysis of cinnamon in T2D.

      Key findings

      Reduced fasting glucose and improved lipids.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Cinnamon — Modest fasting glucose reduction in T2D

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Cinnamon Modest fasting glucose reduction in T2D" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Cinnamon and "Modest fasting glucose reduction in T2D". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Cinnamon — randomized controlled trial

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Cinnamon randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Cinnamon and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Cinnamon — meta-analysis

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Cinnamon meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Cinnamon and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Cinnamon — pharmacokinetics

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Cinnamon pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Cinnamon and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Cinnamon — safety adverse events

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Cinnamon safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Cinnamon and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Cinnamon — dose response

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Cinnamon dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Cinnamon and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

      Google Scholar: Cinnamon — clinical evidence

      Live Scholar search

      Cross-database citation index for Cinnamon as it relates to "clinical evidence".

      Key findings

      Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

      Open study
      Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.