Is 1000 mg of cinnamon too much? What you need to know

November 23, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for coumarin, a compound found in cinnamon, is 0.1 mg per kilogram of body weight. Therefore, whether 1000 mg of cinnamon is too much depends entirely on the type of cinnamon and the consumer's body weight.

Quick Summary

A daily intake of 1000 mg of cinnamon is generally safe if it is the low-coumarin Ceylon variety but can pose a liver toxicity risk if it is high-coumarin Cassia. The safety hinges on the specific type of cinnamon, its coumarin content, and individual health factors.

Key Points

Type Matters: The safety of 1000 mg of cinnamon depends on whether it is low-coumarin Ceylon or high-coumarin Cassia.
Cassia Contains Coumarin: Common Cassia cinnamon has high levels of coumarin, which can be toxic to the liver in large, regular doses.
Ceylon is Safer: True Ceylon cinnamon contains very little coumarin, making it safe for daily consumption at 1000 mg.
Know Your Limits: The Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for coumarin is 0.1 mg per kg of body weight, a limit easily exceeded by a 1000 mg dose of Cassia.
Watch for Interactions: High cinnamon intake can interact with blood thinners and diabetes medication, so always consult a doctor.
Liver Health is Key: Individuals with pre-existing liver conditions are at higher risk and should strictly avoid high-coumarin Cassia cinnamon.

The Critical Difference: Cassia vs. Ceylon Cinnamon

Determining if 1000 mg of cinnamon is too much requires understanding the difference between Cassia and Ceylon varieties. Cassia, the most common type, contains significant levels of coumarin, unlike Ceylon (true cinnamon), which has only trace amounts. High coumarin intake over time can lead to liver damage in susceptible individuals.

Tolerable Daily Intake for Coumarin

Safety guidelines for cinnamon focus on coumarin content. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) sets the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) at 0.1 mg per kg of body weight.

For a 60 kg adult, the TDI is 6 mg of coumarin daily. A single teaspoon (approx. 2.5 g) of Cassia cinnamon can contain 8.5 to 15.5 mg of coumarin, exceeding this limit. Therefore, 1000 mg (1 g) of typical Cassia can easily surpass the TDI, especially with regular consumption, while 1000 mg of Ceylon cinnamon is generally safe due to its low coumarin levels.

Potential Health Risks at High Doses

Excessive cinnamon consumption, particularly Cassia, can lead to several health issues:

Liver Damage: The primary concern with high-coumarin Cassia is liver toxicity, particularly for those with existing liver conditions.
Low Blood Sugar: While beneficial for blood sugar, large amounts of cinnamon can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels, especially when combined with diabetes medication.
Drug Interactions: High doses can interfere with medications like blood thinners due to coumarin and impact diabetes medications.
Allergic Reactions: Cinnamaldehyde, responsible for cinnamon's flavor, can cause mouth sores or other allergic responses in some people.

A Comparison: Cassia vs. Ceylon Cinnamon


Feature	Cassia Cinnamon	Ceylon Cinnamon
Origin	China, Indonesia (most commercial cinnamon)	Sri Lanka (less common)
Coumarin Content	High (0.4-1.2% by weight)	Very Low (0.004-0.02% by weight)
Flavor	Strong, spicy, and pungent	Mild, delicate, and sweet
Appearance	Thick, hard, single-layer sticks	Thin, papery, multi-layered quills
Long-Term Use	Not recommended for daily, high-dose use due to liver risk	Safe for daily, moderate use
Cost	Inexpensive and widely available	More expensive and found in specialty stores

Conclusion

For most healthy adults, 1000 mg of Ceylon cinnamon daily is generally safe. However, 1000 mg of Cassia cinnamon can exceed recommended coumarin limits and pose a liver toxicity risk with regular use. Always check labels for the cinnamon type. Ceylon is preferred for supplements, especially with long-term use. Individuals on medication for diabetes, liver conditions, or blood thinners should consult a healthcare provider before using cinnamon supplements. Safety and dosage depend on the specific product and individual health.

Visit the European Food Safety Authority for coumarin safety guidelines

Final Recommendations for Safe Cinnamon Consumption

Choose Ceylon for Supplements: Ensure 1000 mg daily capsules are Ceylon, avoiding long-term Cassia supplements.
Moderate Cassia Intake: Limit daily Cassia from supermarkets.
Check Supplement Labels: Verify the cinnamon type; high doses of unspecified cinnamon can be risky.
Monitor for Side Effects: Watch for stomach upset, mouth sores, or liver stress and consult a doctor if concerns arise.
Consult Your Doctor: Inform your doctor about cinnamon supplementation, especially with blood thinners or diabetes medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Coumarin is a natural flavoring found in Cassia cinnamon. In large doses, especially with long-term use, it can cause liver toxicity and damage in some individuals.

Cassia cinnamon is usually the cheaper, most common type sold in stores, with thick, single-layer sticks. Ceylon cinnamon, or "true" cinnamon, has a milder flavor and thinner, multi-layered sticks.

Yes, 1000 mg of Ceylon cinnamon is generally considered safe for daily intake due to its minimal coumarin content.

Yes, cinnamon can interact with diabetes medications by lowering blood sugar levels. Combining the two can cause blood sugar to drop too low, so it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider.

Signs of liver damage from coumarin include elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort. Individuals should discontinue high cinnamon intake and seek medical advice if these symptoms appear.

Pregnant women and children should exercise caution with cinnamon supplements or high intake. Given the lack of extensive research on safety in these populations, it is best to stick to small, culinary amounts and consult a doctor.

If a supplement label doesn't specify 'Ceylon cinnamon', it is likely a Cassia variety. For regular, high-dose consumption, this poses a potential health risk due to coumarin. It's safer to choose a product that explicitly states it is Ceylon cinnamon.