Love adding cinnamon to your morning bowl of oatmeal or toast? A viral video is raising questions about whether too much of the topping can cause major health issues.
In the video posted to TikTok, user Abigail White shared a warning that amassed more than 1.4 million views. She urged viewers to be careful with how much cinnamon they use and raised concerns about liver damage and liver failure.
Viewers reacted with alarm and skepticism, but cinnamon is typically safe for most people when used as a seasoning.
What Happens if You Consume Too Much Cinnamon?
“Like most things in life, excessive intake of cinnamon can have potential adverse effects,” Jen Messer, a nutrition consultant and registered dietitian at Jen Messer Nutrition, previously told USA TODAY.
Possible issues include allergic reactions ranging from mild irritation to serious symptoms, stomach pain and potential interactions with medications such as blood thinners. Viral trends like the cinnamon challenge can also cause injury by accidentally inhaling the powder.
The safe upper limit for cinnamon consumption is not well-established. For most people, “consuming a teaspoon or less of ground cinnamon per day as a seasoning or flavoring in food and beverages is unlikely to pose significant health risks,” Messer said.
Research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture backs this up, noting that consuming half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily “is very safe and there should not be any side effects.”
Why the Type of Cinnamon Matters
Cassia cinnamon contains a compound called coumarin, which can damage the liver in high doses, according to Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian and author of “2-Day Diabetes Diet.”
Small amounts of cinnamon used in food generally won’t negatively affect most people. Large doses or cinnamon supplements should be discussed with a doctor before use, especially if you take medications or have health concerns.
Contributing: Daryl Austin. Reporting by Sara Moniuszko, USA TODAY.
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