What Happens If I Drink Cinnamon Tea Daily?

December 14, 2025 •

4 min read

Cinnamon is one of the most antioxidant-rich spices, containing potent compounds with various health effects. Understanding exactly what happens if I drink cinnamon tea daily is crucial, as the impact can vary significantly depending on the type of cinnamon used.

Quick Summary

Drinking cinnamon tea daily offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, potentially aiding blood sugar and heart health. However, frequent consumption of Cassia cinnamon carries liver risks due to high coumarin levels. The overall effects depend heavily on the type and quantity consumed.

Key Points

Type Matters: The most crucial factor for daily consumption is the type of cinnamon; opt for low-coumarin Ceylon over high-coumarin Cassia to prevent liver damage.
Daily Benefits: Consuming Ceylon cinnamon tea daily provides powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that support metabolic and heart health.
Blood Sugar Aid: Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity and slowing carbohydrate digestion, making it beneficial for managing glucose.
Risk of Cassia: Regular intake of Cassia cinnamon can lead to liver toxicity, especially for those with liver disease, and may interfere with certain medications like blood thinners.
Who Should Avoid: Children, pregnant women, those with liver issues, and people on specific medications should avoid high-coumarin Cassia cinnamon entirely.
Safe Intake: A standard recommendation for Cassia is less than half a teaspoon per day, while Ceylon is safe for daily use in normal amounts.

Daily Cinnamon Tea: The Crucial Difference Between Cassia and Ceylon

Embarking on a daily cinnamon tea routine involves more than simply brewing a cup. The crucial factor determining the health impact is the type of cinnamon you use: Cassia or Ceylon. Cassia cinnamon is the most common and widely available type in supermarkets, prized for its strong flavor and lower cost. However, it contains significant amounts of a compound called coumarin, which can be harmful to the liver if consumed in high quantities over time. Conversely, Ceylon or “true” cinnamon, native to Sri Lanka, contains only trace amounts of coumarin, making it the safer choice for regular, daily consumption.

Why the cinnamon type matters for your health

Before incorporating daily cinnamon tea into your diet, it's vital to know which variety you are using. The potential health benefits of cinnamon are largely attributed to compounds like cinnamaldehyde, which are present in both types. But the side effects linked to coumarin are primarily associated with Cassia. Regular drinkers of cinnamon tea should prioritize Ceylon to avoid these risks and safely reap the benefits.

Potential Health Benefits of Daily Cinnamon Tea

Incorporating cinnamon tea into your daily routine, particularly using the safer Ceylon variety, can offer a host of potential health benefits.

Rich in antioxidants

Cinnamon is loaded with powerful antioxidants, including polyphenols, which help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants help fight oxidative stress, a contributor to many chronic diseases.

Anti-inflammatory effects

The anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon tea can help reduce markers of inflammation, which is linked to a range of chronic illnesses, including heart disease. Some studies suggest Ceylon cinnamon is a particularly effective anti-inflammatory.

Blood sugar regulation

Cinnamon has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels, which is especially beneficial for people with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. It may increase insulin sensitivity and slow the breakdown of carbohydrates after meals.

Heart health support

Daily consumption of cinnamon has been linked to improved heart health indicators. This can include lower blood pressure, as well as reduced levels of triglycerides and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, while potentially increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels.

Digestive health aid

Cinnamon tea can help soothe digestive issues like bloating and indigestion. It has prebiotic effects that may help restore balance to gut bacteria, and its anti-inflammatory properties can calm stomach discomfort.

Relief from menstrual cramps

For some women, consuming cinnamon tea may help alleviate painful menstrual cramps, PMS symptoms, and reduce nausea and vomiting associated with their period.

Potential Risks and Considerations of Cassia Cinnamon

While Ceylon cinnamon is generally safe for daily consumption, the risks associated with daily Cassia cinnamon intake are significant and should not be ignored.

Coumarin-induced liver damage

The high coumarin content in Cassia cinnamon is the primary concern for daily drinkers. In sensitive individuals or those with pre-existing liver disease, excessive and prolonged intake of coucoumarin can lead to liver toxicity and damage.

Medication interactions

Cassia cinnamon may interact with certain medications. Its blood-thinning effects from coumarin can be dangerous for people taking anticoagulant drugs. Furthermore, it may enhance the effect of diabetes medications, potentially causing dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).

Allergic reactions and mouth sores

Some individuals may have an allergic reaction to the cinnamaldehyde found in cinnamon, with symptoms like mouth sores, rashes, and skin irritation. This condition is known as cinnamon stomatitis.

Digestive upset

Drinking large amounts of cinnamon tea for extended periods, especially Cassia, may cause digestive issues such as nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Comparison of Ceylon and Cassia Cinnamon


Characteristic	Ceylon Cinnamon	Cassia Cinnamon
Origin	Sri Lanka, Southern India	China, Indonesia, Vietnam
Coumarin Content	Very Low (trace amounts)	High (up to 1% by weight)
Risk for Liver Damage	Very low, safe for daily use	High with regular, excessive use
Appearance	Thin, multi-layered, fragile quills	Thick, hard, single-layered sticks
Flavor Profile	Mild, sweet, delicate, with citrus notes	Strong, spicy, slightly bitter
Best For	Daily teas, delicate desserts, health use	Occasional baking, robust dishes
Price	Higher (premium spice)	Lower (common supermarket spice)

Safe Consumption and Who Should Be Cautious

For safe, daily enjoyment of cinnamon tea, opting for Ceylon cinnamon is the best practice. The tolerable daily intake (TDI) for coumarin is 0.1 mg per kg of body weight, and just a single teaspoon of Cassia can exceed this limit for most adults. Children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and individuals with liver conditions, diabetes (on medication), or those taking blood thinners should be particularly cautious or avoid Cassia cinnamon entirely. When purchasing ground cinnamon, checking the label for “Ceylon” or “true cinnamon” is the only reliable way to ensure you are getting the low-coumarin variety, as generic labels typically contain Cassia.

Conclusion

Drinking cinnamon tea daily offers a range of scientifically supported health benefits, from regulating blood sugar to fighting inflammation. However, the potential for liver damage from the coumarin found in Cassia cinnamon is a significant concern for regular consumers. To safely integrate this flavorful beverage into your daily routine, it is essential to choose Ceylon cinnamon. By understanding the distinction between Cassia and Ceylon, and consuming it in appropriate moderation, you can enjoy the delicious warmth and health-promoting properties of cinnamon tea without unnecessary risk. Always consult a healthcare provider before using cinnamon therapeutically, especially if you have underlying health conditions or take medication, to ensure it is right for you. Healthline is a good resource for further information on cinnamon's health effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, drinking cinnamon tea made with Ceylon cinnamon every day is generally considered safe due to its very low coumarin content. However, daily consumption of Cassia cinnamon is risky because its high coumarin levels can lead to liver damage over time.

Cassia is the common, inexpensive variety high in coumarin and has a strong, spicy flavor. Ceylon is the 'true' cinnamon, expensive and with very low coumarin, and has a milder, sweeter taste. It's vital to distinguish between them for daily use.

For Ceylon cinnamon tea, there is no established limit for safe daily consumption, and normal culinary amounts are safe. For Cassia cinnamon, experts recommend limiting intake to about half a teaspoon per day to stay within safe coumarin limits.

Yes, especially if made with Cassia cinnamon. Its coumarin can act as a blood thinner, interacting with anticoagulant medications. It can also enhance the effects of diabetes medication, potentially causing blood sugar to drop too low.

Some studies have linked cinnamon intake to fat loss or reductions in waist circumference, but these effects are often tied to higher doses and require more research to confirm. Any weight loss benefits depend on overall diet and exercise, not just cinnamon tea alone.

Excessive intake of Cassia cinnamon can cause symptoms like mouth sores, digestive upset (nausea, diarrhea), dizziness from low blood sugar, and potentially signs of liver stress such as fatigue or jaundice.

Small amounts of cinnamon are likely safe, but pregnant women should be cautious with their intake, especially avoiding high-coumarin Cassia. It's best to consult a healthcare provider before consuming cinnamon tea regularly during pregnancy.