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Cinnamon for Blood Sugar: Ceylon vs Cassia and What Studies Show
Cinnamon for blood sugar is a popular idea with weak support. NCCIH lists cinnamon among a few supplements with only weak evidence for diabetes, and the ADA finds no supplement proven to support management. We have not reviewed cinnamon trials in depth, so ask your care team before adding any.
Written by the Sugar Defender label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The evidence01
What do health agencies say about cinnamon for blood sugar?
They say the evidence is weak. NCCIH names cinnamon with chromium, berberine and alpha-lipoic acid as having only weak evidence for diabetes (NCCIH, Diabetes and Dietary Supplements).
The ADA goes further. It does not find supplements proven to lower glucose or support diabetes management, and it notes that some can cause lows when combined with diabetes drugs (ADA, Vitamins & Supplements).
We did not review individual cinnamon trials in depth. Those two sources are the ones we can stand behind.
Types02
Ceylon vs cassia cinnamon: does the type matter?
It may, but we did not compare Ceylon and cassia in depth, so we make no claim for either.
Read the label instead. Many products say only "cinnamon", with no type and no amount per serving. A pharmacist can say whether the type matters with your medicines.
Comparison03
Cinnamon vs chromium: what is in Sugar Defender?
Sugar Defender lists chromium, not cinnamon. Its label has 23 lines, and cinnamon is not among them.
Chromium is printed at 0.7 mcg per mL. Glucose studies used 200 to 1,000 mcg a day, with mixed results (NIH ODS, Chromium).
| Cinnamon | Chromium | |
|---|---|---|
| On the Sugar Defender label | No | Yes, 0.7 mcg |
| NCCIH view | Weak evidence (NCCIH, Diabetes and Dietary Supplements) | Weak evidence (NCCIH, Diabetes and Dietary Supplements) |
| Dose used in glucose studies | Not reviewed | 200-1,000 mcg a day |
Sugar Defender: from $49 a bottle60 mL · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · free US shipping on 3 or 6 · 60-day money-back guarantee
See packsYour numbers04
Can a cinnamon supplement change your A1C?
No study we reviewed shows it, and the only way to know your A1C is a test. Normal is below 5.7% (NIDDK, Diabetes & Prediabetes Tests).
- Within normalA1C below 5.7%Fasting below 100 mg/dL
- PrediabetesA1C 5.7-6.4%Fasting 100-125 mg/dL
- Diabetes rangeA1C 6.5% or higherFasting 126 mg/dL or higher
Type an A1C or a fasting number to see its range. A single test is not a diagnosis; a doctor confirms with a repeat test.
Ranges from NIDDK (NIDDK, Diabetes & Prediabetes Tests). About 115.2 million U.S. adults have prediabetes, many without knowing it (CDC, National Diabetes Statistics Report). A home meter does not give a diagnosis.
Do not stop or change a diabetes medicine for cinnamon or any supplement.
If you want the drops05
What does Sugar Defender cost?
Three bottles cost $207 and six cost $294, with free US shipping. A 60-day guarantee applies to official orders.
Sugar Defender: from $49 a bottle60 mL · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · free US shipping on 3 or 6 · 60-day money-back guarantee
See packsFAQ06
Sugar Defender questions people ask
Is Ceylon cinnamon better than cassia for blood sugar?
We do not know. We did not review the two types in depth, and NCCIH rates the evidence for cinnamon as weak overall (NCCIH, Diabetes and Dietary Supplements). Ask a pharmacist before choosing one.
Can cinnamon replace diabetes medicine?
No. The ADA finds no supplement proven to support diabetes management (ADA, Vitamins & Supplements). Keep taking prescribed medicine and tell your care team about any supplement.
Can I take cinnamon capsules with Sugar Defender?
We have not reviewed any interaction between the two. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about both, especially on diabetes medicine, because supplements can add to those drugs and cause lows (ADA, Vitamins & Supplements).
Does Sugar Defender contain cinnamon?
No. Its 23 label lines list chromium plus a 22-ingredient blend, and cinnamon is not one of them.
Who wrote this07
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by Isugardefender, a Sugar Defender U.S. shop, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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