Cloves Join Cinnamon in the Glucose-lowering Arsenal

Researchers who presented April 4 at the Experimental Biology 2006 conference in San Francisco were the first to document the beneficial effect of cloves on insulin function in humans.

Study Summary*

• Participants - 36 patients with type 2 diabetes
  
• Length - 30 day intervention
  
• Methods - Participants were divided into 4 groups, assigned to take capsules containing 0, 1, 2, or 3 grams cloves per day.
  
• Findings:
  • No significant differences in responses among the 3 levels of cloves used.
    
  • Average blood glucose reduction - from 225 to 150 mg/dL
    
  • Average triglycerides reduction - from 235 to 203 mg/dL
    
  • Average total cholesterol reduction - from 273 to 239 mg/dL
    
  • Average LDL cholesterol reduction - from 175 to 145 mg/dL

If these findings bear scrutiny, taking the equivalent of 1 to 2 cloves a day may prove beneficial for people with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

* The study was part of the scientific program of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN), a member of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). Financial support was given by the Higher Educational Commission of Pakistan.

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For the study's abstract (pdf):
Cinnamon, cloves improve insulin function, lower risk factors for diabetes, cardiovascular disease