Ceylon VS Cassia Cinnamon – Which Is Better For Diabetes?

It's time to compare Ceylon VS Cassia Cinnamon – so which one is better for diabetes?

If you're suffering from diabetes, you surely know the health benefits of cinnamon for high blood sugar.

But unfortunately, not all types of cinnamon are the same.

And there are 2 main ones that brands use – Ceylon and Cassia:

• What are their differences?
• Which ingredient is more potent?
• What are the benefits of each substance?

If you want an in-depth comparison between these forms of Cinnamon, you came to the right place.

Note: This article is based on my research on these 2 ingredients.

#1 – Potency & Strength – WINNER: Ceylon Cinnamon

In this chapter, we're going to look at which version of cinnamon has a better effect on glucose levels.

Let me give you a run-through of the details you need to know:

• physical features
• origin or sources
• potency and effect

Summing up, Ceylon Cinnamon is much more powerful than Cassia Cinnamon:

• its coumarin dose is on the safe side (coumarin is an anti-diabetic agent)
• addresses glucose levels, insulin sensitivity and metabolism
• Cassia version doesn't really do that

Although both substances have almost the same benefits, Ceylon cinnamon is superior.

So using a diabetes supplement with this version increases its benefits and makes it even more effective.

But let's still talk about each version below.

1. Ceylon Cinnamon

Let's first talk about basic details about Ceylon Cinnamon:

• native to Sri Lanka
• the scientific name is Cinnamomum verum [1]
• also known as true cinnamon
• has a lighter and sweeter flavor
• comes from the bark of cinnamon trees

In terms of potency, it contains around 0.004% amount of coumarin [2].

So what is coumarin?

It's a compound that can act as anti-diabetic and anticoagulant properties [3].

That's why it's present in many diabetes and blood sugar supplement.

It can reduce glucose absorption and increase the level of insulin [4].

However, coumarin is also toxic in high doses.

That's why Ceylon Cinnamon contains an optimal amount (high enough to be effective, but too low to be dangerous).

2. Cassia Cinnamon

On the other hand, here's the info you need to know about Cassia cinnamon:

• its origin is in Southern China
• Cinnamomum cassia is its scientific name
• commonly called Chinese cinnamon
• sweet, aromatic and pungent flavor [5]
• made from the dried inner bark of the cinnamon tree

Now – it has up to 1% amount of coumarin.

As you can see, its percentage is much higher than the one in Ceylon cinnamon.

At first, it might seem more potent and stronger in terms of reducing blood sugar levels.

But in reality, it's more likely to cause side effects.

The recommended dose a person should take daily shouldn't be more than 0.1 mg/kg body weight [6].

That's why supplements with Cassia Cinnamon have a higher rate of side reactions.

Conclusion

To sum it up, both Ceylon and Cassia Cinnamon are used to address diabetes and blood sugar.

But even though both substances have the same benefits on paper, one is surely better.

Well – looking at the amount of their coumarin, Ceylon Cinnamon is much safer.

So just make sure to look for a supplement with this version, in order to stay on the safe side.

#2 – Clinical Studies & Research – WINNER: Ceylon Cinnamon

Now, let's talk about the research behind Ceylon and Cassia Cinnamon:

• what studies say about each version
• their benefits and effect on people with diabetes
• their health risks

Again – in terms of their potential, they can reduce blood glucose and treat insulin issues.

There are several studies about their safety for human health.

But after all the things I found out, Ceylon Cinnamon is the winner in this chapter as well.

1. Ceylon Cinnamon

To start, we're going to dig deeper into the studies behind Ceylon Cinnamon.

With that, let me give you a summary what research states about it:

• lowers food intake and improves lipid parameters [7]
• reduces fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance [8]
• has anti-inflammatory effects that are beneficial in diabetes [9]

Now –  the benefits mentioned above are what we want to see in our supplements.

With all the studies behind, the potential is there.

Not to mention that its coumarin content is not known to cause detrimental health effects [10].

So in terms of safety, I would say that you get only benefits from Ceylon Cinnamon.

2. Cassia Cinnamon

On the other hand, let's discuss Cassia Cinnamon now:

• decreases fasting plasma glucose and total cholesterol [11]
• lowers serum insulin and improves insulin resistance [12]
• can be toxic to humans due to its coumarin content [13]

Honestly – there are more studies about Cassia than about Ceylon Cinnamon.

And since 80% of all diabetes supplements contain it, this makes sense.

Most diabetes supplements you will find have Cassia Cinnamon, not Ceylon.

However – it's much riskier and it can cause more adverse reactions.

So if you really think about it, it's not the best version you want to have in your supplement.

Conclusion

Overall – there are several research behind both substances.

Again, Cassia Cinnamon has a little bit more studies, since its more popular.

But most research states the possible side effects (due to its high coumarin content).

So if we're only talking about the number of clinical studies, Cassia Cinnamon tops it.

But if we're talking about their results, it's clearly the loser here.

#3 – Side Effects – WINNER: Ceylon Cinnamon

At this moment, it's quite obvious which version wins here.

Ceylon Cinnamon is definitely much safer and I will tell you below why.

1. Ceylon Cinnamon

Again – Ceylon Cinnamon has a very small coumarin content.

So the possibility of causing adverse reactions is pretty low.

But if you take a huge amount of Ceylon Cinnamon, you're obviously also taking a high dose of coumarin.

In this case, here are the potential side reactions:

• allergic reactions or skin irritations
• headache or nausea
• diarrhea or stomach discomfort

As you can see, these are some very common secondary effects.

They can be considered isolated cases only and shouldn't appear in most people.

So as long as you don't exceed the recommended dose of Ceylon Cinnamon (6 g daily), you're on the safe side [14].

2. Cassia Cinnamon

Meanwhile – Cassia Cinnamon has a different story.

As I mentioned, it has way more coumarin, which is not good in terms of health.

So if you're curious, here are the side reactions it can lead to:

• liver damage and cancer
• mouth sores
• shortness of breath
• hypoglycemia
• nausea or dizziness
• stomachache
• skin irritations

Now, the most alarming ones are the first four points listed above.

As you can see, they are really dangerous for the health.

Sure, you can follow the daily recommended dose, which is 4 g daily [15].

But again – the risk is there, so that's why I'm not a massive fan of this type of cinnamon.

Conclusion

Again – both substances contain coumarin, but in different percentages.

Sure, they are suitable for normalizing blood sugar and insulin levels.

But in terms of safety, the lowest coumarin content is much better.

So that's why Ceylon Cinnamon is safer than Cassia Cinnamon.

#4 – Price – WINNER: Cassia Cinnamon

So which type of cinnamon will give you the best value for your money?

In terms of worth and effect, it's definitely Ceylon.

But if we're only looking at the price tag, it would be Cassia.

Note: I will only analyze the price ranges of the supplements that contain the two substances.

1. Ceylon Cinnamon

As usual, I looked into Amazon for the prices of supplements with Ceylon Cinnamon.

But as I said, there are very few products out there with this version.

It's probably because it's a lot more rare to find – but most importantly, it's also a lot more expensive.

So here are the details I found out:

• lowest price is around $9/bottle (so far)
• most expensive one can go as high as $65/bottle

In general – supplements with Ceylon Cinnamon tend to be more expensive.

Now, I definitely don't advise you to buy some that are under $20.

Since Ceylon Cinnamon alone is quite pricey, it's very unlikely that cheap supplements actually contain it.

Chances are that they actually contains the Cassia version.

That's why it's important to analyze the price correctly.

But if you consider their effects and safety, you can understand that they are worth buying.

Again – the first thing we should consider is the product's quality.

So in the case of Ceylon Cinnamon, you definitely get what you pay for (in general).

2. Cassia Cinnamon

Now – we're going to look for the price range of supplements under this category:

• price starts at $7/bottle
• its price can go up to $54/bottle

If you ask me, its price range is not so far from Ceylon Cinnamon supplements.

Honestly – it's not really practical to spend money on products with the Cassia version.

Even if the dose is decent in some of the products, I don't recommend them.

Again – consider their health risks, which are some huge red flags.

Conclusion

Overall, supplements with Ceylon Cinnamon are some much better options.

Again – they are a little bit more expensive than products with Cassia Cinnamon.

But considering the quality of the substance, they make some much better purchases.

Now – speaking about the price exclusively, Cassia Cinnamon products are more affordable.

#5 – Top Products

I want to feature the best supplements that contain each version cinnamon.

Let's look quickly at some of their features that you might find very useful.

1. Ceylon Cinnamon

This is definitely the top supplement with Ceylon Cinnamon.

It's called Striction D and it's a product specially designed for diabetes/blood sugar.

So let me tell you some of its major features:

• formula is based on Ceylon Cinnamon Verum (true cinnamon)
• really works for normalizing blood sugar levels
• improves insulin sensitivity and carbohydrate metabolism
• extremely effective in most cases (over 90%)
• very low risk of causing any serious adverse effects
• great quality/price ratio (best price is $19/bottle from $56)

Actually – it's my top recommended supplement in this category.

If you consider those features above, I'm pretty sure you will understand why.

So if you want to know more, you can always read our in-depth review about it.

Overall, it's by far the best supplement with Ceylon Cinnamon out there.

2. Cassia Cinnamon

Now – we also did a lot of reviews for supplements that contain Cassia cinnamon.

There isn't a specific one that would stand out (they all have similar formulas).

But I chose one to feature in this part of the review.

The product I'm talking about is called Glucocil:

• one of its proprietary blends contains Cassia Cinnamon bark
• helps balance high blood glucose levels
• some people who tried it said that it reduced their fasting blood sugar levels
• has a lot of complaints about its serious side reactions
• the regular price of a bottle is $39.95 (more discounts upon subscription)

If you ask me – I'm not a huge fan of it, because the reasons above.

It caused some alarming adverse reactions in people who tried it.

So if you want to know the specifics, I encourage you to read our product review about it.

Sure – the substance is present only in a blend (probably in a pretty low dose).

And there are some other ingredients in Glucocil's formula that might cause those side effects.

But even so, the adverse effects are there.

So to sum it up, I don't necessarily recommend a supplement with Cassia Cinnamon.

My Verdict – Ceylon Or Cassia Cinnamon?

Short answer: Ceylon Cinnamon – it's superior in all aspects.

So here are my reasons that made it a winner:

• is the best version of cinnamon in the market
• contains a safe amount of coumarin
• very low risk of causing adverse reactions
• has an excellent quality
• can definitely reduce high blood glucose levels
• also helps with insulin sensitivity

Meanwhile – Cassia Cinnamon is only better in terms of pricing.

That's because the supplements that contain it are more affordable.

But honestly, they aren't really worth it.

I don't think you would want a substance that's not really safe.

With that, I strongly urge you to choose products with Ceylon Cinnamon instead.

So are you looking for the best supplement based on it?

Well – let me give you my #1 recommendation.

The product is called Striction D:

• Superior formula when it comes to diabetes/blood sugar
• Effects are proven by a lot of users
• Very well-tolerated and safe to consume
• Pretty affordable pricing
• Really positive results in a lot of cases

Sure – there aren't a lot of supplements with Ceylon Cinnamon.

But in my view, Striction D is the best among those few ones.

Besides its promising formula, its other features are impressive as well (including its price).

So if you want to spend your money wisely and improve your diabetes, it's definitely the best option out there.

References:

1 – https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/-ppp3.10192/

2 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC3385612/

3 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC8440074/

4 – https://journals.sagepub.com/-doi/full/10.1177/-11795514211042023

5 – https://www.britannica.com/topic/-cassia/

6 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC4466762/

7 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC3326760/

8 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-31425768/

9 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC9269353/

10 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC5622575/

11 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC3767714/

12 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-26716656/

13 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-23627682/

14 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-21929834/

15 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-32411477/