Adding cinnamon to the diet can improve menstrual cyclicity in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), according to research from Columbia University.

The research, presented on 14 October 2013 at the International Federation of Fertility Societies and American Society for Reproductive medicine meeting, showed that use of cinnamon can reduce insulin resistance in women with PCOS.

Study method

Researchers enrolled 45 women with PCOS into a trial where some women were given cinnamon and others were not. The women who completed the six month trial and who received the cinnamon had more regular menstrual cycles than the women who were given the placebo. The cinnamon group had 3.82 menstrual cycles during the six month trial, while the women in the control group only had 2.2 cycles.

Two of the women in the treatment group reported spontaneous pregnancies during the trial.

“Though small, this rather elegant study shows that cinnamon may be an effective and inexpensive treatment for PCOS patients,” said Steven T. Nakajima, MD, President of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

Australian Food News reported earlier in October 2013 that another study had found that eating a big breakfast might also help women with PCOS who were having problems with infertility.

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