Is Cinnamon Rich in Vitamin K? Unpacking the Nutritional Facts

November 14, 2025 •

3 min read

While cinnamon is praised for its health benefits, it's not a significant source of vitamin K. Research indicates that a typical serving of cinnamon offers only a trace amount of this crucial nutrient. This makes it less effective than other food options for those looking to boost their vitamin K intake.

Quick Summary

The article explores cinnamon's vitamin K content, revealing that it is not a significant source. It clarifies the minimal amount found in typical servings and explains how to get richer amounts from a balanced diet.

Key Points

Low Vitamin K Content: Cinnamon contains only a small amount of vitamin K, making it not a reliable source for meeting daily requirements.
Focus on Green Vegetables: The best way to increase vitamin K intake is to eat dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach.
Rich in Antioxidants and Manganese: Cinnamon is known for its high antioxidant content and richness in manganese.
Trace Amount in Cinnamon: A single teaspoon of cinnamon offers less than 1% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin K for adults.
Cassia and Ceylon Cinnamon: Neither Cassia nor Ceylon cinnamon is a significant source of vitamin K.
Minimal Impact on Blood Thinners: The low vitamin K content in cinnamon means it's unlikely to affect those taking blood-thinning medication.

Cinnamon and Vitamin K: A Nutritional Overview

Cinnamon is a popular spice, often associated with various health benefits. However, when it comes to vitamin K, the nutritional profile of cinnamon is often misunderstood. While it does contain some vitamin K, the amounts are not substantial enough to consider it a rich source. This is primarily because the amount of cinnamon used in typical servings is small, which limits its contribution of vitamin K. Therefore, relying on cinnamon to meet daily vitamin K requirements is not the most effective approach.

The Actual Vitamin K Content in Cinnamon

Based on data from the USDA, the vitamin K content in cinnamon is minimal. A single teaspoon of ground cinnamon (about 2.6g) contains less than 1 mcg of vitamin K. To provide context, the recommended Adequate Intake (AI) for adult men is 120 mcg per day and for women is 90 mcg daily. One would need to consume an unrealistic quantity of cinnamon to obtain a significant portion of the recommended daily intake. For individuals on blood-thinning medications like warfarin, maintaining a consistent vitamin K intake is important, however, the low levels of vitamin K in cinnamon mean it is not a major factor.

Cinnamon's Key Nutritional Strengths

Instead of being a primary source of vitamin K, cinnamon is known for other health-promoting properties. Its key nutritional strengths include:

Antioxidants: Cinnamon is packed with potent antioxidants, like polyphenols. These compounds help shield the body against oxidative stress caused by free radicals. These antioxidants may also contribute to the reduction of inflammation and lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Manganese: Cinnamon offers a notable amount of manganese. A single tablespoon can provide a significant portion of the daily recommended intake. Manganese is important for bone formation, metabolism, and acting as an antioxidant.
Fiber: Cinnamon contains dietary fiber, which aids in digestion.
Other Minerals: Cinnamon contains trace amounts of other minerals such as calcium, iron, and potassium.

Comparison: Vitamin K in Cinnamon vs. Rich Sources

To better understand the significance of cinnamon as a source of vitamin K, comparing its content with foods that are known to be rich in vitamin K is useful. Here's a comparison based on a 100g serving of each food.


Food Source	Serving Size	Vitamin K Content (mcg)	% Daily Value (Female)	% Daily Value (Male)
Cooked Kale	100g	418.5 mcg	465%	349%
Raw Spinach	100g	482.9 mcg	537%	402%
Cooked Broccoli	100g	141.1 mcg	157%	118%
Ground Cinnamon	100g	31.2 mcg	35%	26%
Blueberries	100g	19.3 mcg	21%	16%

Source: USDA FoodData Central and NIH Adequate Intake values. Note that the typical serving size of cinnamon is far smaller than 100g

Cassia vs. Ceylon: Vitamin K Differences

There are different types of cinnamon, with Cassia and Ceylon being the most common. Although their nutritional profiles and coumarin content differ slightly, neither is a significant source of vitamin K. Ceylon cinnamon is favored because it has lower coumarin levels. Coumarin can be toxic to the liver in large doses. However, the difference between the two types is not significant when it comes to meeting vitamin K requirements.

Increasing Vitamin K Intake

For those looking to increase their vitamin K intake, focusing on food groups other than spices is the most effective strategy. Green leafy vegetables are the most concentrated sources of vitamin K1. Vitamin K can also be found in some fruits, meat, and dairy products. Including a variety of these foods in your diet is key to meeting your daily requirements naturally. For example, a salad with spinach and kale, or a side of steamed broccoli, will provide a substantial amount of vitamin K without needing to rely on spices.

Conclusion

In summary, while cinnamon has many health benefits, it's not a rich source of vitamin K. Typical servings contain only trace amounts, making it an unreliable way to meet daily needs. The best approach to getting enough vitamin K is to eat a balanced diet that includes leafy green vegetables and other proven sources. Cinnamon can still be enjoyed for its flavor and antioxidant properties.

Optional Outbound Link

For a comprehensive understanding of vitamin K, consider visiting the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, consuming large amounts of cinnamon will not significantly increase vitamin K levels. A typical teaspoon provides less than 1 mcg, so it is unrealistic to consume enough cinnamon to make a meaningful impact.

Vitamin K is vital for blood clotting and is also important for bone health. It helps the body produce proteins necessary for these functions.

Because cinnamon contains a negligible amount of vitamin K, it's unlikely to affect blood-thinning medication in usual culinary amounts. It's always best to maintain a consistent diet and speak with a healthcare provider about specific concerns.

The best sources of vitamin K are green leafy vegetables, including kale, spinach, and broccoli, and some vegetable oils, meat, eggs, and fermented foods.

Both types of cinnamon have very small amounts of vitamin K, and the difference is not nutritionally significant. The main difference is their coumarin content.

The most significant health benefits of cinnamon come from its high concentration of antioxidants and its anti-inflammatory properties, not from its minimal vitamin K content.

No, cinnamon itself does not cause vitamin K deficiency. Its low vitamin K content means it won't be a primary source, and it is unrelated to causing a deficiency.