The effects of cinnamon and glycine on blood sugar will be the focus of a study the University of Memphis Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Lab will conduct. For full participation, $150 will be offered to participants.
Cinnamon has several potential medicinal purposes like reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol and fighting bacteria, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Recent research has started looking into its ability to aid diabetics. Some studies have found the spice serves no benefit to blood sugar levels, but others, like a 2013 study from the Annals of Family Medicine, have found cinnamon can lower levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides.
“Prior research has demonstrated that cinnamon extract may favorably impact blood sugar,” Richard Bloomer, the director of the cardiorespiratory metabolic laboratory, said. “Our study will determine the impact of an acute dose of cinnamon extract on blood sugar and insulin following the consumption of a carbohydrate beverage.”
Matthew Butawan, the conductor of the study, said the purpose is to determine the impact of prior ingestion of a cinnamon extract and the amino acid glycine on blood sugar following a standard glucose load. Recent evidence indicates that glycine can improve the body’s ability to process glucose following consumption of a carbohydrate meal, Butawan said.
“Both cinnamon and glycine have been reported to lower blood sugar and this may be helpful in improving metabolic health, in particular for those with slightly elevated fasting blood sugar,” Butawan said. “The present pilot study seeks to determine the impact of a cinnamon and glycine combination, compared to a placebo, on blood sugar response following a standard glucose load.”
A meta-analysis done in 2013 Annals of Family Medicine found consuming cinnamon produced a statistically significant decrease in glucose, total cholesterol, LDL (a fat transporting cholesterol) and triglycerides. It also concluded cinnamon intake increased HDL levels. However, the analysis also found applying these results individually is complicated because the amount and kind of cinnamon consumed and use duration were different in each study.
An older study done in 2003 by the American Diabetes Association explored cinnamon’s effect on people with Type 2 Diabetes. Researchers studied 60 men and women age 52 and older by separating them into six groups. Three groups consumed cinnamon daily for 40 days and then a 20-day detox period, and the other three were given a placebo.
After 40 days, the participants taking cinnamon had lower glucose, triglycerides, LDL and total cholesterol levels, while the placebo participants saw no change.
To participate in the study done by the U of M, participants must be non-smoking men and women age 18 to 45 with a BMI (body mass index) of 28 kg/m2 or more and a fasting blood sugar between 100 and 125 mg/dL. Participants will have three lab visits with blood drawn four times each visit.
Some students have been interested in participating, and not just because of the $150.
“I’d do it, but not just for the money,” Bailey Morton, a senior nursing major, said. “I love knowing about health benefits of things.”
Still, not all students are interested in giving blood for a study.
“You couldn’t pay me to give blood four times,” Emily Ellis, a junior biology major, said. “I love science — but not that much.”
