The effect of a cinnamon-, chromium- and magnesium-formulated honey on glycaemic control, weight loss and lipid parameters in type 2 diabetes: an open-label cross-over randomised controlled trial

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#aged #blood-glucose #body-weight #cholesterol #chromium

The effect of a cinnamon-, chromium- and magnesium-formulated honey on glycaemic control, weight loss and lipid parameters in type 2 diabetes: an open-label cross-over randomised controlled trial

Whitfield et al., 2016 | Eur J Nutr | Rct

Citation

Whitfield Patricia, Parry-Strong Amber, ... Krebs Jeremy D. The effect of a cinnamon-, chromium- and magnesium-formulated honey on glycaemic control, weight loss and lipid parameters in type 2 diabetes: an open-label cross-over randomised controlled trial. Eur J Nutr. 2016-Apr;55(3):1123-31. doi:10.1007/s00394-015-0926-x

Abstract

PURPOSE: This randomised controlled trial assessed the acute and long-term effects of daily supplementation of kanuka honey, formulated with cinnamon, chromium and magnesium on glucose metabolism, weight and lipid parameters in individuals with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Twelve individuals with type 2 diabetes received 53.5 g of a formulated honey and a control (non-formulated) kanuka honey in a random order for 40 days, using cross-over design. Fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, lipids and anthropometric measures were measured at baseline and end of treatment. A meal tolerance test was performed at baseline to assess acute metabolic response. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in acute glucose metabolism between treatment groups, as measured by the Matsuda index and AUC for glucose and insulin. After the 40-day intervention with honey, fasting glucose did not differ significantly between the two treatments (95 % CI -2.6 to 0.07). There was no statistically significant change in HbA1c or fasting insulin. There was a statistically significant reduction in total cholesterol by -0.29 mmol/L (95 % CI -0.57 to -0.23), LDL cholesterol by -0.29 mmol/L (95 % CI -0.57 to -0.23) and weight by -2.2 kg (95 % CI -4.2 to -0.1). There was a trend towards increased HDL and reduced systolic blood pressure in the intervention treatment. CONCLUSION: The addition of cinnamon, chromium and magnesium supplementation to kanuka honey was not associated with a significant improvement in glucose metabolism or glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Use of the formulated honey was associated with a reduction in weight and improvements in lipid parameters, and should be investigated further.

Key Findings

There was no statistically significant difference in acute glucose metabolism between treatment groups, as measured by the Matsuda index and AUC for glucose and insulin. After the 40-day intervention with honey, fasting glucose did not differ significantly between the two treatments (95 % CI -2.6 to 0.07). There was no statistically significant change in HbA1c or fasting insulin. There was a statistically significant reduction in total cholesterol by -0.29 mmol/L (95 % CI -0.57 to -0.23), LDL ch

Outcomes Measured

  • blood pressure
  • systolic blood pressure

Population

Field Value
Population type 2 diabetes
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition blood pressure

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Blood Glucose
  • Body Weight
  • Cholesterol
  • Chromium
  • Cinnamomum zeylanicum
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Energy Intake
  • Female
  • Food, Fortified
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Honey
  • Humans
  • Insulin
  • Magnesium
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Loss

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: chromium-weight

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09