Does Eating Cinnamon Every Day Damage The Liver?

Some spices that are just fine to eat in small amounts can cause problems if you eat them in larger amounts, and cinnamon is one of these. If, like many people, you eat small amounts of cinnamon daily, such as in your oatmeal or on toast, you should not have a problem. Eating cinnamon could end up damaging your liver, however, if you have liver disease, are taking certain medications or are ingesting extremely large amounts of cinnamon.

Types

The term “cinnamon” applies to several different but related varieties in the Cinnamomum genus. Two very common forms are Ceylon cinnamon and cassia or Chinese cinnamon. The concern over liver damage stems from the level of coumarin in cassia cinnamon. Although this does not normally cause a problem for those with normal livers, coumarin can adversely affect anyone taking warfarin, a blood-thinning medication, or those who have some form of liver disease.

Coumarin

Coumarin is a compound found in plants such as clover, as well as cinnamon, and it acts as an anticoagulant, meaning that it tends to prevent your blood from clotting. Related substances are used medically in prescribed blood-thinning medications. Coumarin stops your liver from producing some of the proteins that contribute to clot formation. If you are taking a blood thinner already, coumarin can intensify the effect, as if you were taking too high a dose. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Germany says coumarin can cause elevated liver enzymes, liver inflammation and jaundice, which would exacerbate existing liver conditions. The institute notes that the exact process through which coumarin causes the inflammation is still under investigation.

Cautions

MedlinePlus notes the powdered cinnamon sold in the United States is sometimes a blend of different types, meaning there could be some risk for those who are sensitive to coumarin or who have existing liver disorders, even if they choose a brand that is not labeled as cassia cinnamon. Your best bet is to talk to your doctor if you have liver problems to determine if you can eat cinnamon and if there are brands you should avoid.

Safety

If you don’t have any liver disorders, aren’t on blood thinners and know that your liver isn’t sensitive to coumarin, using ground cinnamon in food, even daily, shouldn’t cause a problem. The Pennington Biomedical Research Center notes that eating up to 1/2 teaspoon each day will not harm you. Larger amounts such as 2 tablespoons daily are a different story, and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center does advise undergoing liver tests if you have been ingesting that much each daily over time. If you have any concerns, speak with your doctor. One piece of good news is that the damage caused by coumarin might not be permanent; in fact, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment says it is reversible. However, if you think there is a problem, play it safe and contact your doctor so both of you can monitor your health and ensure that you are recovering from any issues.