Evidence supporting the use of: Cassia bark
For the health condition: Sugar Cravings

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Cassia bark (Cinnamomum cassia), often referred to as Chinese cinnamon, has been traditionally used in herbal medicine, and in recent years, it has attracted scientific interest for its effects on blood sugar regulation. Several studies have shown that cassia cinnamon may help reduce fasting blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. The potential mechanism is thought to involve slowing gastric emptying and enhancing the activity of insulin receptors, possibly due to polyphenolic compounds found in cassia bark. However, while there is some evidence cassia may help regulate blood sugar, direct scientific evidence for its use specifically to reduce or manage "sugar cravings" is limited and indirect. Most clinical trials focus on glycemic control, not cravings or appetite. Only a handful of small studies and anecdotal reports suggest cinnamon might reduce sweet cravings, possibly as a secondary benefit of more stable blood glucose levels. Therefore, the evidence for cassia bark’s role in treating sugar cravings is modest and not robustly established by clinical trials. Users should also be aware that cassia contains higher levels of coumarin, which can be toxic to the liver in large amounts. In summary, while some scientific rationale exists for cassia bark's influence on blood sugar and potentially cravings, the evidence is preliminary and more research is needed.

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