Cinnamon effects on blood pressure
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Cinnamon Supplementation and Blood Pressure Reduction
Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have examined the effects of cinnamon supplementation on blood pressure in adults. The majority of these studies consistently report that cinnamon can lead to modest but statistically significant reductions in both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in various populations, including those with type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders, and hypertension Zhang2024Jamali2020Hadi2020+6 MORE.
Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure Effects
Meta-analyses pooling data from randomized controlled trials found that cinnamon supplementation typically reduces SBP by approximately 2–6 mmHg and DBP by about 1–4 mmHg in adults Zhang2024Jamali2020Hadi2020+5 MORE. The effect appears to be more pronounced with lower doses (≤2 g/day), longer intervention durations (≥8–12 weeks), and in individuals with higher baseline body mass index (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) or those under 50 years old Hadi2020Mousavi2019. However, some studies note that the reduction in DBP may not be significant in people with diabetes or prediabetes .
Population-Specific Findings
In patients with type 2 diabetes, cinnamon supplementation led to significant reductions in both SBP and DBP, though changes in body weight and other anthropometric measures were not significant . In adults with stage 1 hypertension, cinnamon intake resulted in a moderate but statistically significant decrease in mean ambulatory SBP, along with improvements in lipid profiles . Short-term studies in middle-aged obese adults did not find significant immediate effects on blood pressure, suggesting that longer supplementation periods may be necessary for observable benefits .
Additional Health Effects
Beyond blood pressure, cinnamon supplementation has shown potential benefits in improving total antioxidant capacity and reducing certain inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-6, in people with metabolic disorders . However, effects on other markers like malondialdehyde, C-reactive protein, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 were not significant .
Limitations and Recommendations
While the evidence supports a modest blood pressure-lowering effect of cinnamon, the studies reviewed often highlight limitations such as small sample sizes, clinical diversity, and short intervention durations Zhang2024Hadi2020Yazdanpanah2021+2 MORE. The results are promising but not yet strong enough to recommend cinnamon as a primary treatment for hypertension. More high-quality, long-term randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and determine optimal dosing strategies Zhang2024Hadi2020Akilen2013+1 MORE.
Conclusion
Cinnamon supplementation is associated with modest reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults, particularly when used at lower doses over longer periods. These effects are most notable in individuals with type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders, or hypertension. While cinnamon may serve as a helpful complementary approach to blood pressure management, further research is needed to establish definitive recommendations.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Effect of cinnamon supplementation on blood pressure, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers in adults: An umbrella review of the meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.
Cinnamon consumption may help lower blood pressure and improve antioxidant capacity and inflammation in metabolic disorders.
Effects of cinnamon supplementation on systolic and diastolic blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials
Cinnamon supplementation significantly lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults, but may not be effective in individuals with diabetes, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome.
DOI