Hidden danger: How cinnamon could affect your medication safety
There is a spice that is associated with fall, holidays, and aromatic oatmeal. You probably often add it to coffee, cake, or rice. Be careful: the latest research shows that this seemingly harmless spice can seriously interfere with the action of drugs, including those you may take daily.
Cinnamon sounds harmless. A little in coffee, a bit on oatmeal, a pinch in apple pie—and it already feels cozy and fragrant. But before you add another teaspoon of this spice to everything at hand, pause. Cinnamon interacts with certain medications. This is not just a theory from a forum or a conspiracy, but a concrete, scientifically confirmed fact.
Cinnamon and medications - it can be a dangerous combination
It's not necessary to suddenly toss cinnamon out of your kitchen, but it's worth knowing when its presence in your diet can do more harm than good. A team of scientists from the University of Mississippi took a close look at cinnamaldehyde, which is responsible for the characteristic smell and taste of cinnamon. It turns out that it can affect enzymes in the liver responsible for breaking down many medications taken chronically. This means that the interaction between cinnamon and medications is not imaginary.
Research published in Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences specifically points to two enzymes, CYP3A4 and CYP2C9. Do they sound like black magic? These two "machines" break down a large portion of medications in the body. If something blocks them—like cinnamon in larger doses—the medication may accumulate and become too effective. This is very dangerous for your health, even your life. So, while cinnamon is natural and tasty, it is not always neutral for health, especially if you take medications regularly and consume cinnamon by the spoonful. Remember, "natural" does not mean "safe." Cyanide also occurs in nature, but you probably don’t sprinkle it on food.
Who should be careful with cinnamon?
If the spice appears at your table occasionally, there is really no threat to you. The problem arises when you add it to everything possible—from teas to oats to coffee and cakes—or take cinnamon supplements because it "lowers blood sugar." Additionally, be cautious if you also:
- take medications for hypertension, heart conditions, depression, or diabetes,
- use medications with a narrow therapeutic range (even slight fluctuations in blood concentration can be very significant),
- take supplements indiscriminately because TikTok or an ad said they're the best.
The American organization FDA (Food and Drug Administration) also warns against the uncontrolled use of supplements, especially in chronically ill individuals. It is completely dangerous and very irresponsible. Imagine someone takes medication for diabetes and also takes cinnamon supplements. Such an action can result in hypoglycemia, requiring an ambulance and hospitalization.
If you really like cinnamon, try not to take supplements without your doctor's knowledge. Don't overdo the amount of this spice (coffee with cinnamon, oatmeal, and a cinnamon roll is not a good idea). Always inform your doctor about all the medications and supplements you are taking.
