Does cinnamon activate insulin?
The effects of adding more of the aqueous extract of cinnamon appear similar to adding more insulin. This is important from a human health standpoint because it results in increased insulin sensitivity and less insulin is required to have larger insulin effects.
Research has shown that adding cinnamon to diet can help to lower the glucose level.
The greatest level of hypoglycemia and the lowest level of serum insulin were obtained with metformin-diabetic rats which received the high dose of cinnamon. Moreover, it is likely that cinnamon extract had similar effects as metformin in lowering the serum lipids of diabetic animals.
So with the 1g total carbohydrates and protein rule in mind, then cinnamon will not break your fast. When you stick to less than 1 tsp. of cinnamon during your fast, cinnamon will not break your fast. However, if you are combining multiple spices, make sure that the total number is less than 1g.
Cinnamon contains antioxidants, which are a healthy component of the diet that help neutralize free radicals, preventing them from damaging cells in the body. Cinnamaldehyde also has some antibacterial properties and might slow down the growth of cancerous cells.
CONCLUSIONS—The results of this study demonstrate that intake of 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon per day reduces serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes and suggest that the inclusion of cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes will reduce risk factors ...
Cinnamon is a common kitchen spice, which is known for its sweet, subtle taste and rich aroma. But did you know that adding a pinch of this ancient-spice to a glass of water can help in managing insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels in the body.
Summary While eating cinnamon may help lower your blood sugar, eating too much may cause it to fall too low, especially if you're on medication for diabetes. Common symptoms of low blood sugar are tiredness, dizziness, and fainting.
One gram of daily adjunct cinnamon in addition to usual care seems to lower HbA1C in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon supplementation is likely to be safe and may be offered to patients with HbA1C >7.0% as a potential means to lower HbA1C.
Cinnamon is a nutritious spice that helps regulate blood sugar, boost energy levels and may even prevent Alzheimer's disease. It only contains 0.9 grams of net carbs, so it won't kick you out of ketosis. It's easy to make, tasty and convenient to eat on the go.
Should you take cinnamon before or after a meal?
The best time of day to take cinnamon supplements is generally with a meal or snack, so you're getting those potent compounds along with some food.
The addition of 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon to the diet led to significant decreases in serum glucose levels after 40 days. Values after 20 days were significantly lower only in the group receiving 6 g of cinnamon (Table 1).

Despite numerous studies, it still isn't clear whether cinnamon helps lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Some studies have shown a benefit from the spice. Others haven't. Previous studies have included different doses and different types of cinnamon, which makes it hard to compare the results.