Tag: Safe cinnamon consumption

According to research, moderate consumption of cinnamon is generally recognized as safe for most people, but the ideal daily amount depends heavily on the type of cinnamon used. This article explores how much cinnamon stick per day is appropriate for safe consumption and explains the critical differences between Cassia and Ceylon varieties that impact your health.

According to a 2024 review of 40 studies, cinnamon has shown significant potential for improving cognitive function. However, whether eating raw cinnamon is a healthy practice depends heavily on the type and quantity consumed, as significant health risks exist, particularly with the cheaper Cassia variety.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the tolerable daily intake of coumarin is just 0.1 mg per kilogram of body weight, a level easily exceeded by common cinnamon. This raises a critical question for many cooks and health enthusiasts: is there a cinnamon without coumarin, or at least a safe, low-coumarin alternative? The answer lies in distinguishing between the two main types of cinnamon widely available on the market.

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, calls related to intentional ingestion of cinnamon powder, often as part of the 'cinnamon challenge,' have spiked in recent years, with over 178 calls reported in the first six months of 2012 alone. While adding cinnamon to food is generally safe, the practice of eating cinnamon powder directly can be extremely dangerous and is not recommended.

Over 90% of cinnamon sold in U.S. grocery stores is the cassia variety. It contains high levels of a potentially liver-damaging compound called coumarin.