Tag: Spice health risks

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Cassia cinnamon, the most common type found in grocery stores, contains high levels of coumarin, a compound that can be toxic to the liver in large amounts. This makes understanding the key differences crucial for anyone asking, "Is it safe to add cinnamon to tea?" in their daily routine.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, cinnamon is generally safe when consumed in the small amounts used for flavoring food. While you can chew and swallow cinnamon sticks, it is not recommended due to serious potential health risks and a woody, unpleasant texture.

While commonly used as a warming spice in culinary dishes, ingesting large quantities of nutmeg powder can lead to severe side effects due to its psychoactive compounds. The key compound, myristicin, can produce toxic effects on the central nervous system, including hallucinations, dizziness, and confusion, starting at doses as low as 5 grams.

While black pepper is a kitchen staple, a 2023 study highlighted concerns about its active compound, piperine, inhibiting drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver. This raises an important question: is too much ground black pepper bad for you, or is it a safe, everyday spice?

According to the USDA, one teaspoon of ground cloves provides significant manganese and antioxidants. While cloves are celebrated for their health-boosting properties, those wondering if it is safe to consume clove powder in concentrated amounts must understand the critical difference between culinary use and high-dose consumption.