Answer: While a very small amount of cinnamon from time-to- time is safe, a teaspoon a day of cassia cinnamon (the most common form) can be dangerous to the liver. This is because cassia cinnamon naturally contains a significant amount of coumarin, a liver toxin and potential carcinogen.
Cinnamon Risks
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.
Bottom Line: Cassia contains a lot of coumarin, which can be toxic in large quantities. It is much safer to choose Ceylon if you eat a lot of cinnamon.
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.
Saigon cinnamon is generally safe to eat in small amounts. One of the most important things to keep in mind, however, is that it is higher in coumarins than other types of cinnamon. Too much coumarin may cause liver damage. If you have a liver condition, you may want to limit your intake or avoid the use of cinnamon.
This equates to about 1 teaspoon (2.5 grams) of Saigon cinnamon daily. Ceylon cinnamon, which is derived from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum verum tree and considered “true cinnamon,” is much lower in coumarin and poses less risk of toxicity ( 1 , 2 ).
Ceylon cinnamon stimulates insulin-like activity. It reduces insulin resistance in the body. This helps glucose metabolize in the liver, according to research .
When taken by mouth: Ceylon cinnamon is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used as a medicine. It has been safely used in doses of 0.5-3 grams daily for up to 6 months. There isn't enough reliable information to know if Ceylon cinnamon is safe when taken in larger amounts or when used long-term.
Cassia cinnamon has a robust, rich, somewhat bitter flavor that makes it an excellent choice for baked products and is quite cheap. Saigon and Korintje cinnamon are Cassia cinnamon types, which are available as well. Ceylon is sweeter and lighter in flavor than Cassia.
Cassia cinnamon is possibly unsafe when taken in doses larger than 6 grams daily for a long period of time. Cassia cinnamon contains a chemical called coumarin. Taking large amounts of coumarin can cause liver damage in some people, especially those who have liver disease.
Frontier Co-op Ground Ceylon Cinnamon
It's sourced from Sri Lanka and has a sweet and warm flavor that lends itself well to cookies, cakes, and other baked goods.
06/7Diabetes
Cinnamon is known for its properties to lower the blood sugar level. But if you are on diabetes medication, then you must avoid cinnamon for your own good. Compounds found in cinnamon may react with the diabetes medication and cause your blood sugar to fall too low.
Typically more expensive, Ceylon has a lighter, brighter and spicier flavor than cassia cinnamon. The good news: it has 63 times LESS coumarin than cassia so it is safer to use, especially in large quantities.
Coumarin is a flavouring substance which is contained in relatively high concentrations in cinnamon varieties collectively known as "Cassia cinnamon". In especially sensitive persons, even comparatively small quantities of coumarin can cause liver damage, although the effect is usually reversible.
“The limit for cassia cinnamon is around 0.1 milligrams per kilogram of body weight,” he says, which translates to about a teaspoon per day for a 130-pound individual. Anything more than that could result in liver toxicity if consumed on a regular basis.
The most effective method of extraction of coumarin from ground cinnamon was with methanol as a solvent at a temperature of 30 °C (50°C for teas) for 10 min using stirring on a magnetic stirrer. The content of coumarin in ground cinnamon corresponds to the content of coumarin in Ceylon cinnamon.
The biggest advantage of Ceylon Cinnamon is ultra-low Coumarin levels. Coumarin in high doses causes liver failure, so for people who take Cinnamon on a daily basis, Ceylon Cinnamon is the preferred choice.
Because cinnamon is unproven as a treatment, there isn't a set dose. Some experts suggest 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (2-4 grams) of powder a day. Some studies have used between 1 gram and 6 grams of cinnamon. High doses might be toxic.
Cinnamon can help to make your body more sensitive to insulin; hence you won't need to secrete as much insulin. This can improve a fatty liver and encourage weight loss from the torso. The antioxidants in cinnamon can also help to reduce inflammation in the body, thereby reducing free radical damage.
Numerous human studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of cinnamon, showing that it can lower fasting blood sugar levels and improve hemoglobin A1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control ( 23 , 24 ). The effective dose is typically 1–6 g, or around 0.5–2 tsp. of cinnamon per day ( 24 ).
Ceylon cinnamon is full of antioxidants, which help your body handle free radicals and lowers your risk of health conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Ceylon cinnamon is also rich in the mineral manganese. This mineral helps your body manage the enzymes that produce hormones and help repair your bones.
For the majority of people, cinnamon is generally recognised as safe when consumed as a culinary spice and in small amounts – no more than 1 tsp per day is considered safe for most adults, with less for children.
Herbs and Spices
Want to protect your liver and your heart at the same time? Sprinkle on some oregano, sage, or rosemary. They're a good source of healthy polyphenols. An extra benefit: they help you cut back on salt in many recipes. Cinnamon, curry powder, and cumin are good ones to try, too.
CONCLUSIONS—The results of this study demonstrate that intake of 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon per day reduces serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes and suggest that the inclusion of cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes will reduce risk factors ...