Cinnamon-derived compound shows potential to reduce Alzheimer's pathology in small Taiwanese trial

An early-stage clinical trial in Taiwan suggests that sodium benzoate, a metabolite produced when cinnamic acid from cinnamon is processed by the body, may reduce Alzheimer’s disease pathology and improve cognition in people with mild disease. In the 24-week study, participants with mild Alzheimer's who received 750 milligrams or 1,000 milligrams of sodium benzoate daily showed significant improvements on cognitive testing and lower levels of amyloid-beta peptides in the blood compared with those who received a placebo at the same time point. Researchers recruited 149 adults aged 50 to 100 who had been diagnosed with mild Alzheimer's disease and exhibited elevated amyloid-beta in blood. The trial’s four groups received either placebo or daily doses of 500 mg, 750 mg, or 1,000 mg; cognitive function was tracked with the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale.

By the end of 24 weeks, the two higher-dose groups (750 mg and 1,000 mg) showed statistically significant improvements versus placebo on the cognitive test, and both groups displayed reduced blood levels of amyloid-beta peptides, including amyloid-beta 1–40 and total amyloid-beta. Notably, participants who began the study with higher baseline levels of amyloid-beta 42 tended to show greater cognitive gains at these effective doses, a pattern not seen in the placebo group. The authors concluded that sodium benzoate, a cinnamon-derived compound, has potential as an amyloid-beta–reducing medication for Alzheimer’s disease, given its safety profile and ease of administration.

Safety profiles were favorable, with adverse events similar to placebo and no major new safety signals observed during the trial. The researchers published their results in Translational Psychiatry.

Context and comparisons: New Alzheimer’s therapies that target amyloid-beta can slow cognitive decline but are delivered intravenously, carry risks of brain swelling and bleeding, and require costly, frequent infusions. In contrast, an oral medication such as sodium benzoate could provide a more accessible option if long-term safety and efficacy are confirmed. However, the study’s authors cautioned that the findings must be replicated in larger, more diverse populations and over longer periods to determine whether benefits persist and whether higher doses carry any risk.

Limitations include a moderate sample size and a 24-week duration, which leaves long-term effects unknown. The study was conducted in a Han Taiwanese population, so results may not generalize to other groups. Higher doses were more effective in this trial, but researchers noted that the mechanism by which the cinnamon-derived metabolite works remains to be confirmed. The trial also cannot rule out differences in response that might appear in broader populations or over longer time frames.

Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people worldwide. In the United States, the disease is estimated to affect about 7 million Americans, with forecasts suggesting that the number could rise sharply as the population ages; by 2060, some projections estimate as many as 13.8 million older Americans living with the condition if no cure is found.

Previous research has linked cinnamon-related compounds to potential cognitive benefits. In 2016, neuroscientist Kalipada Pahan of Rush University noted that cinnamon may improve learning and memory by acting as a slow-release form of sodium benzoate. Animal studies have shown cinnamon consumption could reverse certain hippocampal changes associated with learning deficits in some models. A 2023 analysis of available research concluded that sodium benzoate can reduce amyloid-beta in humans and may hamper tau buildup, though evidence remains preliminary and more work is needed to translate these findings into approved treatments.

Further trials are needed to confirm whether cinnamon-derived sodium benzoate can become a safe, effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.