The Truth About Cinnamon

By Melissa Halas-Liang, MA, RD, CDE

Cinnamon has been making the news lately because of recent news about one of its compounds, coumarin. Coumarin displays toxic liver effects in animal models. It’s found in some vegetables, spices, fruits and medicinal plants. With all the internet rumors, and after receiving emails from parents and also students taking my on-line nutrition courses, I decided to demonstrate how cinnamon can be enjoyed safely. Don’t fret! Chances are you and your family won’t have to eliminate this sweet spice that adds so much richness and depth to many favorite beverages, dishes and desserts.

Types of Readily Available Cinnamon

The most commonly used types of cinnamon in United States are Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon, both are relatives of true cinnamon. Chances are, if you’re buying cinnamon it’s Cassia.

Cassia cinnamon has many scientific botanical names including:

• Cinnamomum Cassia blume
• Cinnamomum Burmannii: more than 90% of the cinnamon imported to the US during the last five years was C. burmanni
• Cinnamum Loureini nees
• Saigon cinnamon (C.loureiroi nees), also called Vietnamese cinnamon, is commonly found in US too.
• Cinnamomum Aromaticum

True Cinnamon

The only true cinnamon is called Ceylon cinnamon, also known as Cinnamommum verum or Cinnamomum zeylanicum. It’s more expensive than Cassia and less commonly available in the US.

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Cassia cinnamon may help lower blood glucose and lipid levels and contains antibacterial and antifungal properties. Looking beyond these benefits, cinnamon’s sweet, flavor-enhancing taste can also allow you to decrease the amount of added sugar in foods you enjoy like coffee or hot cereals. As of current research, true cinnamon has not shown any effects on lowering blood glucose and lipid level, however it does contain antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Health Concerns about Cinnamon

Don’t jump to conclusions when you hear concerns circulating about natural whole foods on the internet or in the media. Visit an evidence based website, talk to a registered dietitian nutritionist with expertise in functional foods and carefully weigh the facts.

Keep in mind that many foods that provide great benefits when consumed daily in small amounts can also be unsafe in large amounts. In other words, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Compare a daily glass of wine to several glasses and food additives or even excess fiber can decrease the absorption of needed minerals.

In 2007, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) reviewed human data to assess safe amounts of coumarin in Cassia cinnamon, and reaffirmed Europe’s previously established tolerable daily intake of 0.1mg coumarin per kilogram of body weight. The United States Food and Drug Administration have not set a tolerable daily intake of coumarin.  Thus, ingesting substantial amounts on a daily basis may pose a health risk for individuals who are sensitive to coumarin or who have liver function issues.

So How Much Cinnamon Can We Eat?

Using a Taylor Digital Scale, I calculated that 1 teaspoon of Cassia cinnamon weighs 2 grams. Based on the amount of coumarin in grams of cinnamon noted in different types of cinnamon in current research, and the tolerable upper limit of coumarin set by European standard, it appears to be generally safe for people that weight over 20 pounds to have 2 teaspoons of Cassia cinnamon per day. See chart below. However, to be cautious, don’t go overboard with children, a little cinnamon goes a long way for flavor.  For true cinnamon the amount of coumarin is negligible.

It would appear that including cinnamon in your diet in safe amounts might be beneficial to your health because of its antibacterial, antifungal, and blood and lipid lowering properties. In addition, cinnamon’s sweet taste may allow you to decrease the amount of added sugar in foods you enjoy.

Which Cinnamon to Buy

Frontier’s C.verum is a true cinnamon that is available in the U.S. Although true cinnamon doesn’t appear to lower blood glucose or blood lipid levels it does contain antibacterial and antifungal properties. It also offers a sweet taste.  True cinnamon does not contain coumarin.  If a person has elevated liver enzymes, given coumarin’s effect on the liver, true cinnamon would be the best option.

McCormick’s C.cassia is a good cinnamon option to have for all healthy people weighing more than 20lbs. Generally speaking, limiting C.cassia to two teaspoons a day appears advisable. Not sure what kind of cinnamon you have at home?  Many brands will have the details listed on their website, or you can also contact the manufacturers directly to request this information.

How to Enjoy Cinnamon

• In tea, coffee or apple cider
• On top of sliced fruit, toast, yogurt or ice cream
• In hot breakfast dishes, like kashi, buckwheat groats or oatmeal.
• In cookies, like homemade ginger snaps
• In whole grain dishes, like couscous, brown rice or quinoa with slivered nuts and dried fruit
• In home made granola or sprinkled in cereal
• In fruit compote
• In sweet squash soups
• In apple cinnamon popcorn
• In mole recipes
• In spicy and sweet combination dishes
• In baked breads, muffins and healthy desserts

The bottom line is to include a variety of fresh and dried spices and herbs to flavor your diet and help cut down on sodium or added sugar. Plus they are loaded with antioxidants and phytochemicals that are beneficial to your health.

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About the Author

Melissa Halas-Liang, MA, RD, CDE

Melissa is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with a masters in nutrition education. She is founder of SuperKids Nutrition Inc. where she is “saving the world, one healthy food at a time.” Read more about her Super Crew children’s books and her experience as a registered dietitian on the founder’s page. Discover how nutrition can help you live your best health potential through her on-line courses and subscribe to her blog, Melissa’s Healthy Living, for nutrition updates.

Website: http://www.superkidsnutrition.com