ESPE Abstracts

Background: Cinnamon is an alternative therapy for obesity because it contains high concentrations of polyphenols and can decrease the proinflammatory environment.

Objective: To determine the effect of cinnamon on serum leptin, ghrelin, and HOMA-IR levels and body adiposity among adolescents with obesity.

Methods: Randomized controlled study (Clinical Trials: NCT04476160). We included adolescents with obesity. Participants were followed for 16 weeks and randomized to receive cinnamon 3000 mg/day or a placebo. Blood samples (for leptin, ghrelin, insulin, and glucose measurement) and anthropometric measurements were taken at baseline and again 16 weeks later. Statistical analyses: Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted. The delta serum leptin and ghrelin concentrations were compared between the groups using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results: 100 patients met the eligibility criteria. The baseline characteristics of both groups were similar. After 16 weeks, the cinnamon group exhibited a significant reduction in delta leptin levels (-1.99 ng/ml vs. 0.14 ng/ml, p = 0.02) and delta body fat (-2.0% vs. -0.35% P = 0.01) and an increase in delta ghrelin levels (21.9 pg/ml vs. -7.2 pg/ml, p = 0.02) compared to the placebo group.

Conclusion: In adolescents with obesity, cinnamon effectively decreases serum leptin levels and body fat percentage and increases serum ghrelin levels after 16 weeks compared to a placebo. It is important to consider the role of cinnamon supplementation in the management of pediatric obesity. Based on the results obtained, it suggests that cinnamon might be a good supplement for managing obesity in adolescents when combined with lifestyle modifications.