Cinnamon is a spice made from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree.
It’s widely popular and has been linked with health benefits like improved blood sugar control and lowering of some risk factors for heart disease.
The two main types of cinnamon are:
- Cassia: Also called “regular” cinnamon, this is the most commonly used type.
- Ceylon: Known as “true” cinnamon, Ceylon has a lighter and less bitter taste.
Cassia cinnamon is more commonly found in supermarkets because it’s much cheaper than Ceylon cinnamon.
While Cassia cinnamon is safe to eat in small to moderate amounts, eating too much may cause health problems because it contains high amounts of a compound called coumarin.
Research has found that eating too much coumarin may harm your liver and increase cancer risk.
Furthermore, eating too much Cassia cinnamon has been linked to many other side effects.
Here are 6 possible side effects of eating too much Cassia cinnamon.
1. Too much cinnamon may cause liver damage
Cassia (or regular) cinnamon is a rich source of coumarin.
The coumarin content of ground Cassia cinnamon may range from 7 to 18 milligrams per teaspoon (2.6 grams), while Ceylon cinnamon only contains trace amounts of coumarin.
The tolerable daily intake of coumarin is approximately 0.05 mg/pound (0.1 mg/kg) of body weight or 5 mg per day for a 130-pound (59-kg) person. This means that just 1 teaspoon of Cassia cinnamon could put you over the daily limit.
Unfortunately, several studies have found that eating too much coumarin may cause liver toxicity and damage.
For example, a 73-year-old woman developed a sudden liver infection causing liver damage after taking cinnamon supplements for only 1 week. However, this case involved supplements that provided a higher dose than you would get from diet alone.
Summary: Regular cinnamon contains high amounts of coumarin. Studies have shown that eating too much coumarin may increase the risk of liver toxicity and damage.
2. Too much cinnamon may increase the risk of cancer
Animal studies have shown that eating too much coumarin, which is abundant in Cassia cinnamon, may increase the risk of certain cancers.
For example, studies in rodents have found that eating too much coumarin can cause cancerous tumors in the lungs, liver, and kidneys.
How coumarin may cause tumors is unclear.
However, some scientists believe that coumarin causes DNA damage over time, increasing cancer risk.
Most research on the cancerous effects of coumarin has been performed on animals. More human-based research is needed to see if the same link between cancer and coumarin applies to humans.
Summary: Animal studies have found that coumarin may increase the risk of certain cancers. However, more research is needed to determine whether this applies to humans.
3. Too much cinnamon may cause mouth sores
Some people have experienced mouth sores from food containing cinnamon flavoring agents.
Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde, a compound that may trigger an allergic reaction when consumed in large amounts. Small amounts of the spice don’t seem to cause this reaction, as saliva prevents chemicals from staying in contact with the mouth for too long.
In addition to mouth sores, other symptoms of a cinnamaldehyde allergy include:
- tongue or gum swelling
- a burning or itching sensation
- white patches in the mouth
While these symptoms aren’t necessarily severe, they can cause discomfort.
However, it’s important to note that cinnamaldehyde will only cause mouth sores if you’re allergic to it. You can get tested for this type of allergy with a skin patch test.
Also, mouth sores mainly affect those who use too much cinnamon oil and cinnamon-flavored chewing gums, as these products can contain more cinnamaldehyde.
Suggested read: How cinnamon lowers blood sugar and fights diabetes
Summary: Some people are allergic to a compound in cinnamon called cinnamaldehyde, which can cause mouth sores. However, this seems to primarily affect people who use too much cinnamon oil or chewing gum, as these products contain more cinnamaldehyde.
4. Too much cinnamon may cause low blood sugar
Having chronic high blood sugar is a health problem. Left untreated may lead to diabetes, heart disease, and many other health problems.
Cinnamon is well-known for its ability to lower blood sugar. Studies have found that the spice can mimic the effects of insulin, a hormone that helps remove sugar from the blood.
While eating a bit of cinnamon may help lower your blood sugar, eating too much may cause it to fall too low. This is called hypoglycemia. It can lead to tiredness, dizziness, and possibly fainting.
People who are most at risk of experiencing low blood sugar are those taking medications for diabetes. This is because cinnamon may enhance the effects of these medications and cause your blood sugar to fall too low.
Summary: While eating cinnamon may help lower your blood sugar, eating too much may cause it to fall too low, especially if you’re on medication for diabetes. Common symptoms of low blood sugar are tiredness, dizziness, and fainting.
5. Too much cinnamon may cause breathing problems
Eating too much ground cinnamon in a single sitting may cause breathing problems.
This is because the spice has a fine texture that can make it easy to inhale. Accidentally inhaling it can cause:
- coughing
- gagging
- difficulty when trying to catch your breath
Also, the cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon is a throat irritant. It may cause further breathing problems.
People with asthma or other medical conditions that affect breathing need to be especially careful of accidentally inhaling cinnamon, as they are more likely to experience trouble breathing.
Suggested read: 10 proven health benefits of cardamom
Summary: Eating too much ground cinnamon in a single sitting may cause breathing problems. The fine texture of the spice makes it easy to inhale and irritates the throat, which may cause coughing, gagging, and trouble catching your breath.
6. Too much cinnamon may interact with certain medications
Cinnamon is safe to eat in small to moderate amounts with most medications.
However, taking too much may be an issue if you’re taking medication for diabetes, heart disease, or liver disease. This is because cinnamon may interact with those medications, enhancing their effects or intensifying their side effects.
For example, Cassia cinnamon contains high amounts of coumarin, which can cause liver toxicity and damage if consumed in high amounts.
If you’re taking medications that may affect your liver, such as paracetamol, acetaminophen, and statins, excessive intake of cinnamon may increase the chance of liver damage.
Also, cinnamon may help lower your blood sugar, so if you’re taking medications for diabetes, the spice may enhance its effects and cause your blood sugar to fall too low.
Summary: If eaten in large amounts, cinnamon may interact with diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease medications. It may either enhance their effects or increase their side effects.
Risks of eating dry cinnamon
Since the “cinnamon challenge” has become wildly popular, many have attempted to eat large amounts of dry cinnamon.
This challenge involves eating a tablespoon of dry, ground cinnamon in under a minute without drinking water.
While it may sound harmless, the challenge can be very dangerous.
Eating dry cinnamon can irritate your throat and lungs and make you gag or choke. It can also permanently damage your lungs.
This is because the lungs cannot break down the fibers in the spice. It may accumulate in the lungs and cause lung inflammation, known as aspiration pneumonia.
If aspiration pneumonia is left untreated, the lungs may become permanently scarred and possibly collapse.
Summary: While eating large amounts of dry cinnamon might seem harmless, it can be very dangerous. If cinnamon reaches your lungs, it can’t be broken down and may cause an infection and permanent lung damage.
How much cinnamon is too much?
Cinnamon is generally safe to use in small amounts as a spice. It’s linked to many impressive health benefits.
Suggested read: Ceylon vs. cassia cinnamon: What are the differences?
However, eating too much may cause potentially dangerous side effects.
This primarily applies to Cassia cinnamon because it’s a rich source of coumarin. Conversely, Ceylon cinnamon contains only trace amounts of coumarin.
The tolerable daily intake for coumarin is 0.05 mg per pound (0.1 mg per kg) of body weight. This is how much coumarin you can eat in a day without the risk of side effects.
This equates to 8 mg of coumarin per day for an adult weighing 178 pounds (81 kilograms). For reference, the amount of coumarin in 1 teaspoon (2.5 grams) of ground Cassia cinnamon ranges from 7 to 18 mg. Keep in mind that children may tolerate even less.
Although Ceylon cinnamon contains only trace amounts of coumarin, excessive intake should be avoided. Cinnamon contains numerous other plant compounds that may have adverse effects when consumed in high amounts. Use all cinnamon sparingly as a spice.
Summary: Adults should avoid eating more than 1 teaspoon of Cassia cinnamon daily. Children may tolerate even less.
Summary
Cinnamon is a delicious spice linked to many health benefits.
While eating small to moderate amounts is safe, eating too much may cause side effects. This mainly applies to Cassia or “regular” cinnamon because it contains high amounts of coumarin, linked to conditions like liver damage and cancer.
On the other hand, Ceylon or “true” cinnamon only contains trace amounts of coumarin.
While eating too much cinnamon may have some drawbacks, it’s a healthy spice that’s safe to eat in small to moderate amounts. Eating less than the tolerable daily intake is more than enough to provide you with its health benefits.
