Cinnamon has long been embraced as a health food superhero, praised for power over blood sugar levels, anti-inflammatory abilities, and more. Just look at how much Americans enjoy adding cinnamon to their morning lattes. A new study has found that high doses of this popular spice can interact with widely prescribed medicines, which is especially troubling for those who count on these drugs.
Cinnamon, especially the Cassia variety that comes from Southern China, is the cinnamon you’ll find at most grocery stores. This version is sometimes lauded for its flavor but has a high concentration of a compound called coumarin. Coumarin does have anticoagulant properties, which can be dangerous for people on blood thinners.
Principal scientist Shabana Khan, who leads research on the health effects of cinnamon, calls for caution. “People who suffer from chronic diseases — like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, asthma, obesity, HIV, AIDS or depression — should be cautious when using cinnamon or any other supplements,” Khan stated.
Experts are calling on cinnamon to prevent diabetes, increase energy levels and cognitive function. In doing so, they raise the alarm about dangers associated with its coumarin content. “Health concerns could arise if excessive amounts of supplements are consumed without the knowledge of a health care provider or prescriber of the medications,” Khan warned.
First, the study showed that large doses of cinnamon have been shown to speed up the body’s metabolism of prescription drugs. Otherwise, these medications can begin to lose their effectiveness. “Our best advice is to talk to a health care provider before using any supplements along with prescription medicine,” Khan added. “By definition, supplements are not meant to treat, cure or mitigate any disease.”
Amar Chittiboyina, an expert in the field perhaps better known to our readers as A.C. The risk is lower with true cinnamon from Sri Lanka, as it contains less coumarin, he said. This solution could be a safer prescriptive approach for patients worried about cinnamon’s interactions with their medicines.
Cinnamon has a long history of garnering acclaim for its health benefits. Yet, we should not ignore the myriad of ways in which its consumption can be harmful. If you want to add cinnamon to your diet, discuss it with a health professional. This can be particularly critical for those of you who take prescription medications.
Leave a Reply