Tag: Coumarin

Cinnamon is a versatile spice celebrated for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but not all cinnamon is created equal. The healthiest way to consume cinnamon involves choosing the right type, managing your intake, and incorporating it safely into your diet for maximum benefits without the risks of excessive coumarin.

While a comforting and flavorful beverage, cinnamon tea is not suitable for everyone, particularly when brewed from the high-coumarin Cassia variety. People with pre-existing liver conditions, those taking certain medications, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding should exercise caution, as excessive intake can pose serious health risks.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), mycotoxins contaminate nearly 25% of the world's agricultural commodities, including spices. This highlights the importance of understanding the potential health risks and knowing what is the toxin in spices you use every day, a question that concerns consumers globally.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), a tolerable daily intake for coumarin exists, a compound found in high amounts in common Cassia cinnamon. But is it safe to eat 1 teaspoon of cinnamon a day? The answer hinges on knowing your spice and your personal health circumstances.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for the cinnamon compound coumarin is 0.1 mg per kilogram of body weight. This guideline is crucial for understanding how much is too much cinnamon to consume, as exceeding this limit can lead to adverse health effects, particularly with the more common Cassia variety.

Studies have explored cinnamon dosages ranging from 120 mg to 6 grams per day, raising questions about specific intake levels. So, is 500 mg of cinnamon safe, and what factors determine the risk?

While the cinnamon spice is a kitchen staple, cassia essential oil is highly concentrated and should not be ingested. Ingesting cassia essential oil can cause serious health issues, including liver and kidney damage, due to its high concentration of a chemical called coumarin. Understanding the critical difference between culinary spices and essential oils is essential for your safety.

Recent investigations by consumer advocacy groups, such as a 2024 report by Consumer Reports, have highlighted the presence of heavy metals, including lead, in various ground cinnamon products. For many shoppers, this raises an important question: Is Trader Joe's cinnamon ok to eat, and what precautions should be considered?

Globally, almost all supermarket cinnamon is Cassia, not the Ceylon variety. So, when asking 'Is Ceylon cinnamon better than cinnamon for coffee?', you are primarily comparing the subtle, sweet 'true' cinnamon with the more common, pungent version found in most stores.

With hundreds of species in the genus Cinnamomum, it's easy to assume all cinnamon is identical, but this is a common misconception. The spice known as Cinnamomum zeylanicum, or Ceylon cinnamon, is considered "true cinnamon," and it differs significantly from the more common and cheaper Cassia varieties.