It’s the sweet sprinkle that could sour your meds.
A new study has found that a beloved spice could be meddling with how your body processes prescription drugs.
The culprit? Cinnamon.
Researchers at the University of Mississippi have discovered that cinnamaldehyde — the primary compound in cinnamon — can activate receptors that may accelerate the breakdown of certain medications, potentially reducing their effectiveness.
While adding a dash of cinnamon to your morning latte is unlikely to cause issues, the study warns that high doses could pose risks.
“Health concerns could arise if excessive amounts of supplements are consumed without the knowledge of health care provider or prescriber of the medications,” said Shabana Khan, a principal scientist involved in the study.
“Overconsumption of supplements could lead to a rapid clearance of the prescription medicine from the body, and that could result in making the medicine less effective.”
Researchers note that cinnamon oil, which is commonly found in food-flavoring agents and toiletries, poses virtually no risk to herb-drug interactions.
However, cinnamon bark — in particular, Cassia cinnamon, which is a cheaper version from southern China that contains a blood thinner called coumarin — can potentially cause problems.
“True cinnamon from Sri Lanka carries a lower risk due to its reduced coumarin content,” said study co-author Amar Chittiboyina, associate director of the National Center for Natural Products Research.
“Coumarin’s anticoagulant properties can be hazardous for individuals on blood thinners.”
The ground cinnamon at your local supermarket is typically made from Cassia cinnamon bark.
Cinnamon has long been celebrated for its potential health benefits, including blood sugar regulation and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help ward off diabetes.
However, this new research underscores the importance of moderation and consulting healthcare providers before adding high-dose cinnamon supplements to your regimen.
“People who suffer from chronic diseases — like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, asthma, obesity, HIV, AIDS or depression — should be cautious when using cinnamon or any other supplements,” Khan said.
“Our best advice is to talk to a health care provider before using any supplements along with the prescription medicine. By definition, supplements are not meant to treat, cure or mitigate any disease.”
As always, it’s best to spice things up with caution.
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