One of the world’s oldest and most beloved spices may prevent some prescription medicines from doing their job.
Consuming large amounts of cinnamaldehyde — a compound in cinnamon — can result in activation of receptors that are involved in clearing a medicine from the body, according to researchers at the University of Mississippi. That could hamper the effect of medications.
A simple sprinkle of cinnamon in your morning coffee is unlikely to result in a negative impact, the researchers say. However, you might want to think twice before taking a concentrated cinnamon dietary supplement.
In a summary of the findings, Shabana Khan, a scientist at the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi, says:
“Health concerns could arise if excessive amounts of supplements are consumed without the knowledge of [your] health care provider or prescriber of the medications. Overconsumption of supplements could lead to a rapid clearance of the prescription medicine from the body, and that could result in making the medicine less effective.”
The researchers note that cinnamon long has been used in traditional medicine to manage blood sugar, promote heart health and reduce inflammation.
Some forms of cinnamon pose essentially no risk. Cinnamon oil — commonly used as a flavoring agent in foods and drinks and used on skin for its antifungal or antibacterial properties — does not interact with drugs, the researchers say.
However, the type of cinnamon bark typically found in grocery stores — Cassia cinnamon — is especially concerning. Not only does it contain cinnamaldehyde, but it also has higher levels of coumarin than true cinnamon bark. Coumarin has blood-thinning properties and thus “can be hazardous for individuals on blood thinners,” says Amar Chittiboyina, associate director of the National Center for Natural Products Research.
Cassia cinnamon is from a tree native to China, which is known scientifically as Cinnamomum aromaticum. True cinnamon is from a different species of tree native to Sri Lanka, Cinnamomum verum. The former is more common because it’s cheaper, the researchers noted.
More study is needed to determine the precise role that cinnamon plays in the body and its potential to interact with medicines, the researchers say. For now, they urge people to avoid using cinnamon as a dietary supplement until they check with their doctor.
In particular, they say people who take medication for the following health conditions should be cautious about taking supplements like cinnamon:
- HIV/AIDS
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Depression
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
“Our best advice is to talk to a health care provider before using any supplements along with the prescription medicine,” Khan says.
To learn more about the potential hidden dangers of this spice, check out “Most Cinnamon Is Tainted With Toxic Lead, but These 6 Brands Are Safe.”
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