Photo: Mohan Reddy

Can cinnamon damage your stomach?

While occasional use in foods is safe for most individuals, consuming large amounts of Cassia cinnamon or taking supplements with this ingredient might be dangerous, especially for children and smaller adults, as well as for individuals who already have liver disease or gastroparesis.

badgut.org - Cinnamon: The Good, the Bad, and the Tasty - Gastrointestinal Society

How can I grow 10k to 100K?

Here are the most effective ways to earn money and turn that 10K into 100K before you know it. Real estate investing. ... Product and website...

Last updated Jul 21, 2019

Does cinnamon burn body fat?

Cinnamon can boost metabolism, since the body uses more energy to process the spice than it does for other foods. Cinnamon may have an insulin-like...

Last updated Feb 5, 2019

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Cinnamon: The Good, the Bad, and the Tasty

This common spice is a mainstay of most kitchens. Delicious in sweet treats and hearty oatmeal, and a unique twist in savoury meals, cinnamon has a warm, slightly spicy taste that lends well to a variety of dishes. You might have even heard that it can help balance blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes or ward off Alzheimer’s disease. However, the story of cinnamon is a bit more complex, and it is potentially dangerous.

Varieties of Cinnamon

There are many types of cinnamon, all of which come from the inner bark of several species of evergreen trees in the Cinnamomum genus. However, there are two varieties that you will most likely find commercially available for use in food products: Cassia and Ceylon. The most common type in Canada currently, and the one typically labelled as just ‘cinnamon’ in grocery stores, is Cinnamomum cassia, or Cassia cinnamon. It has a strong, rich, slightly bitter flavour that makes it an ideal choice for heavier baked goods and tends to be quite inexpensive. You might also come across Saigon or Korintje cinnamon, both of which are varieties of Cassia cinnamon. Cinnamomum verum, also called true cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon, is a more expensive and difficult to find cinnamon variety. Ceylon has a lighter, sweeter flavour than Cassia. Historically, Ceylon was more common in Europe and North America, but changing trade systems have shifted favour to Cassia cinnamon. Most traditional recipes from Europe and Mexico that call for cinnamon use Ceylon cinnamon, and require this type for an authentic flavour. It is difficult to tell the difference between Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon visually when they are in powder form, but the cinnamon sticks look quite different. Cassia cinnamon sticks are one thick, firm layer of bark, rolled up, whereas Ceylon is several thin, soft layers of bark rolled together. Ceylon cinnamon also tends to be lighter in colour than Cassia.

Cinnamon Health Benefits

Cinnamon contains many compounds that potentially have a positive effect on health, including polyphenols, antioxidants, and some unique chemicals such as cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, cinnamate.1 Studies have found that cinnamon might help balance blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes by increasing glucose uptake, improving insulin sensitivity in fat and muscle tissues, improving glycogen synthesis in the liver, slowing the rate of gastric emptying, and other potential changes.2 These effects are the result of cinnamaldehyde, a compound in all cinnamon varieties. While the research shows some benefit for glucose control, it is still important for those who have diabetes to follow the treatment plan outlined by their physician, as the effects of cinnamon in studies so far do not show adequate changes to be a replacement for medication.3 Cinnamon contains antioxidants, which are a healthy component of the diet that help neutralize free radicals, preventing them from damaging cells in the body.4 Cinnamaldehyde also has some antibacterial properties and might slow down the growth of cancerous cells.4

What are the 4 rare zodiac signs?

Top 3 Rarest Zodiac Signs: Are You one of them? Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) The sun enters Aquarius at the end of January and stays there...

Last updated Nov 26, 2019

What's the most stressful job in the world?

And finally, there's the stress of dealing with children and young adults every day. Social worker. Job title: Social worker. ... Newspaper...

Last updated Mar 14, 2019

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Overall, the vast majority of research on cinnamon shows a plethora of benefits, and studies are continuing to be published that provide further evidence. Compounds in cinnamon might help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, decrease inflammation in arthritis, and limit the hardening of artery walls (arteriosclerosis).1

Cinnamon Risks

While this spice has many favourable aspects, there is a downside to most types of cinnamon: coumarin. Coumarin is a chemical compound found in several plants, including cinnamon, that can cause liver damage in large doses. However, coumarin is not present in Ceylon cinnamon, which means it has the wonderful benefits of cinnamon without this drawback. Some countries in Europe set a tolerable daily intake for coumarin. In Germany, this number is 0.1 mg per kg of body weight.5 One study analyzed several Cassia cinnamon products and found coumarin content between 2,650 and 7,017 mg/kg.6 They also tested a sample of Ceylon cinnamon, which had only negligible amounts of coumarin, making it a safe alternative to Cassia varieties. An average teaspoon of cinnamon weighs about 2.6 g, which means that each teaspoon of a non-Ceylon cinnamon contains 6.9-18 mg of coumarin. At these levels, a single teaspoon per day could put many average sized adults at risk of liver damage. This is especially true for individuals who already have pre-existing liver disease. Parents should also be careful, because a small child could ingest too much coumarin from consuming a relatively minor quantity of Cassia cinnamon. For example, an 18 kg, 5-year-old child would only need to consume 1.8 mg of coumarin, which could be found in a small portion of a cinnamon baked good. While this is safe if it happens occasionally, regularly serving your child food with cinnamon could be dangerous. Early studies in rodents found that coumarin could lead to cancerous tumours. However, there are no indications that this is true for humans, because of differences in the ways the two species metabolize coumarin.7 While liver damage is a serious concern, there is no evidence that coumarin is carcinogenic to humans. It might even help prevent the development of certain cancers, as mentioned in the health benefits earlier. One of the ways that cinnamon helps control blood sugar levels in those with diabetes is by delaying gastric emptying. Since gastroparesis patients experience very delayed gastric emptying, which leads to negative health consequences, these individuals might want to limit their cinnamon consumption.

Where is the best place to invest cash right now?

Overview: Top short-term investments in December 2022 High-yield savings accounts. ... Short-term corporate bond funds. ... Money market accounts....

Last updated May 22, 2018

How do you charge yourself spiritually?

Prayer and meditation are the easiest ways to recharge your soul and stay in touch with your spirituality. They take mere minutes once a day and...

Last updated Aug 15, 2018

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Do You Need to Worry?

Cinnamon is a common, enjoyable spice with a wide range of health benefits, but remember that it is not an adequate replacement for medications or proper treatments. In addition, the coumarin content of some species has the potential to cause liver damage. While occasional use in foods is safe for most individuals, consuming large amounts of Cassia cinnamon or taking supplements with this ingredient might be dangerous, especially for children and smaller adults, as well as for individuals who already have liver disease or gastroparesis. If you use large amounts of cinnamon, then you should consider reducing your intake or switching to Ceylon cinnamon to avoid the risk of liver damage.

First published in the Inside Tract® newsletter issue 202 – 2017

1. Hariri M et al. Cinnamon and Chronic Diseases. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 2016;929:1-24. 2. Zhu R et al. Cinnamaldehyde in diabetes: A review of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and safety. Pharmacological Research. 2017;122:78-89. 3. Costello RB et al. Do Cinnamon Supplements Have a Role in Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes? A Narrative Review. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2016;116(11):1794-1802. 4. Sharma UK et al. Medicinal attributes of major phenylpropanoids present in cinnamon. BMC Complimentary and Alternative Medicine. 2016;16:156. 5. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung). FAQ on coumarin in cinnamon and other foods. Available at: http://www.bfr.bund.de/en/faq_on_coumarin_in_cinnamon_and_other_foods-8487.html. Accessed 2017-06-07. 6. Blahová J et al. Assessment of Coumarin Levels in Ground Cinnamon Available in the Czech Retail Market. Scientific World Journal. 2012; doi: 10.1100/2012/263851. 7. Sproll C et al. HPLC analysis and safety assessment of coumarin in foods. Food Chemistry. 2008;109(2):462–469.

badgut.org - Cinnamon: The Good, the Bad, and the Tasty - Gastrointestinal Society

Which zodiac signs are destined for success?

However, we can absolutely speculate as to why each of these signs is destined for fame and fortune. Allow me to explore the money-making qualities...

Last updated Dec 9, 2019

What is the quickest career to get?

And a months-long diploma or certificate program is often enough for some of the fastest careers to get into. ... High-Paying Jobs With Little...

Last updated Feb 10, 2018

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Why is the Om sound so powerful?

Om is the seed of transcendental sound, and it is through transcendental sound one can transform the mind and the senses. By chanting Om, the mind...

Last updated Jan 30, 2019

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

What is my life master number?

How can I locate my Master Number? Add up your birthdays until you get a single-digit number representing your Life Path Number (unless the number...

Last updated Aug 17, 2019