Honey and cinnamin type 2
Executive summary
A clear consensus does not exist: cinnamon shows some evidence of modest blood‑glucose benefits in certain trials, while honey is a carbohydrate that can raise blood sugar despite possible lipid or weight effects, and randomized trials of honey formulated with cinnamon did not show meaningful improvements in glycaemic control for people with established type 2 diabetes [1] [2] [3]. Marketing pieces and patient forums promote honey + cinnamon as a traditional or “natural” remedy, but rigorous clinical data are mixed and safety issues (coumarin in common cinnamon varieties; the sugars in honey) matter for treatment decisions [4] [5] [6].
1. What the studies actually show about cinnamon and glucose control
Clinical trials of cinnamon report conflicting results: some randomized trials and meta‑analyses found reductions in fasting glucose, HbA1c and improvements in lipids at certain doses, suggesting cinnamon can increase insulin sensitivity in some people, but other randomized trials found no effect, and heterogeneity in dose, cinnamon type and patient BMI likely explains differences [1] [7] [2]. Large, well‑controlled, long‑duration trials with standardized cinnamon preparations are lacking, so while cinnamon is biologically plausible as an adjunct, it is not established as a replacement for standard diabetes medications [1] [7].
2. Honey: a complex food, but still a sugar for people with diabetes
Honey contains antioxidants and in some studies produced smaller acute glucose rises than pure sucrose or dextrose, and observational or small trials have reported benefits for lipids or weight in some contexts; yet honey remains a concentrated source of carbohydrates and can cause hyperglycaemia when eaten by patients with type 2 diabetes, so clinical guidance emphasizes moderation and monitoring [2] [8] [9]. Claims that honey is categorically “good” for diabetics come mainly from product marketers and selective studies; systematic reviews note both potential short‑term benefits and risks, and real‑world effects depend on dose and individual glucose responses [4] [10].
3. Trials of the combo: cinnamon + honey looked promising but failed to change glycaemic control
A randomized crossover trial that tested a kanuka honey formulated with cinnamon plus chromium and magnesium found reductions in weight and LDL cholesterol but did not produce statistically significant improvements in fasting glucose, HbA1c or overall glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes [3]. Reviews of honey in diabetes similarly report that honey ingestion can cause hyperglycaemia and that long‑term metabolic effects are inconsistent, undercutting the idea that combining honey with cinnamon reliably “cancels out” honey’s sugar load [8].
4. Safety, dosing and hidden agendas to watch for
Cinnamon is not risk‑free: common cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, which has dose‑dependent hepatotoxicity reported in case series, so clinicians caution using high daily doses or unregulated supplements; Ceylon (“true”) cinnamon has much lower coumarin and is often recommended if cinnamon supplementation is attempted [6] [1]. Many online vendors and blogs promoting cinnamon‑honey blends have commercial incentives and selectively cite small positive studies while downplaying null trials and sugar content of honey, so reader skepticism is warranted [4] [10].
5. Practical takeaways: what the evidence supports and what it doesn’t
Cinnamon may modestly improve glycaemic indices for some patients and is worth discussing with a clinician as an adjunct to — not a substitute for — prescribed therapies, but effects are variable and depend on dose, type and patient characteristics [1] [7]. Honey should be treated as a carbohydrate: small amounts may fit into a controlled diet for some patients, but it cannot be assumed safe or glucose‑neutral and may raise blood sugar in many individuals [2] [11]. Given mixed data and safety signals, people with type 2 diabetes should consult their healthcare team before starting regular cinnamon supplements or adding honey, monitor blood glucose responses closely, and prioritize evidence‑based medications and lifestyle interventions [12] [8].