Is cinnamon good for you? Besides being delicious for cooking, a lot of studies have proven that cinnamon also brings many health benefits. For example, it can lower the blood sugar level in the body, reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and heart diseases, and heal wounds. However, you should be careful in consuming it. Consuming too much cinnamon can cause side effects. In this article, we will discuss the side effects of this aromatic spice.
Too Low Blood Sugar
As it is said before, it is beneficial in lowering the blood sugar level in the body. Many studies have found that this aromatic spice can mimic the effects of insulin, which is a hormone that stabilizes sugar in blood. Unfortunately, consuming too much it can cause the glucose level in the blood to be too low.
People most at risk of experiencing this side effect are those who are taking medications for diabetes. Because it can boost the medicines’ effects and cause drastic decrease of blood sugar. The medical term of this condition is called hypoglycemia that can cause fatigue, dizziness, even fainting.
Allergies
Cinnamaldehyde contained in it can trigger allergic reactions and irritation in the tissues in the mouth and lips when consumed in large quantities. The most common allergic reactions are a burning sensation, swollen tongue or gums, itching, and white patches in the mouth. These conditions are not serious, but surely cause uncomfortable feelings.
In many cases, people experience this side effect because they consume cinnamon-flavoured sweets as the products typically contain more cinnamaldehyde. You are also not suggested to apply cinnamon oil directly on your skin as it possibly causes allergic reactions. It is better to mix it with other ingredients, such as coconut oil, olive oil, or honey.
Risk of Liver Damage
Some studies found that consuming too much cinnamon can cause toxicity or liver damage. It is because this aromatic spice contains coumarin, which is a poisonous substance to the liver when consumed in large quantities. Moreover, if you are consuming medicines like paracetamol and statin, consuming too much cinnamon can increase the risk of liver damage.
Therefore, it is crucial for people with liver issues to limit the consumption of cinnamon. And if you are consuming certain medicines, it is better to consult your doctor first before consuming this aromatic spice.
Respiration Problems
Consuming too much cinnamon can also possibly cause respiratory issues. Eating too much cinnamon powder in one bite can cause breathing problems as it is extremely smooth. You can cough, choke, and even find it hard to breathe. Also, cinnamaldehyde contained in the spice is also an irritant to the throat, causing more serious breathing problems.
People with asthma or other medical conditions related to the respiration system need to consult with the doctor first before consuming cinnamon as they are more prone to experience respiration issues.
The recommended daily intake of cinnamon is 0,1 mg per kg body weight. This is equal to a teaspoon of cassia cinnamon or 2 ½ teaspoon of Ceylon cinnamon. So, is cinnamon good for you? Yes, if you do not consume it too much.
If you interest to know more information about cinnamon and other Indonesia herb spices, you can visit our website. You can also click link WhatsApp here to connect directly with us.