Cinnamon's hidden risks: Impact on medication efficacy
There is a spice associated with autumn, holidays, and aromatic porridge. Do you often add it to coffee, cake, or rice? Be cautious. Recent research indicates that this seemingly innocuous spice can significantly interfere with the action of drugs, including those you may be taking daily.
Cinnamon sounds harmless. A dash in your coffee, a sprinkle on your porridge, a pinch in your apple pie – and it already evokes warmth and fragrance. But before you add another teaspoon of this spice to everything within reach, consider this: cinnamon interacts with certain medications. This is not a theory from an online forum or a conspiracy, but a scientifically confirmed fact.
Cinnamon and medications - it can be a dangerous combination
This isn't a call to banish cinnamon from your kitchen. However, it's important to understand when its presence in your diet might be more harmful than beneficial. A team of scientists from the University of Mississippi examined cinnamaldehyde, the component responsible for cinnamon's distinctive smell and taste. They discovered that it can affect enzymes in the liver responsible for metabolising many drugs taken routinely. Thus, the interaction between cinnamon and medications is not merely a figment of the imagination.
Research published in Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences specifically highlights two enzymes, CYP3A4 and CYP2C9. If these names sound like complex magic, it's because these two "machines" break down a substantial number of medications in the body. If something blocks them, such as cinnamon in a larger dose, the drug may accumulate and become overly potent. This poses significant risks to your health, even life-threatening ones. Thus, while cinnamon is natural and tasty, it is not always benign. This is particularly true if you are taking any medications regularly and consume cinnamon liberally. Remember, "natural" does not equate to "safe." Cyanide also occurs naturally, but you wouldn’t sprinkle it on your food.
Who should be careful with cinnamon?
If the spice only makes an occasional appearance at your table, there's really no cause for concern. The issue arises when you add it to everything possible: from tea, and porridge, to coffee and cakes, or when you take cinnamon supplements because they "lower blood sugar." The concern intensifies if you also:
- take medications for high blood pressure, heart conditions, depression, and diabetes,
- use drugs with a narrow therapeutic range (even minor fluctuations in blood concentration can be very significant),
- take supplements indiscriminately because they were endorsed on TikTok or in advertisements as the best.
The American organisation FDA (Food and Drug Administration) also warns against the uncontrolled use of supplements, especially for those with chronic illnesses. It is entirely dangerous and highly irresponsible. Imagine someone on diabetes medication also takes cinnamon supplements. This combination could lead to hypoglycaemia, necessitating an ambulance and hospitalisation.
However, if you truly enjoy cinnamon, avoid taking supplements without your doctor's consent. Limit your use of this spice (combining coffee with cinnamon, porridge, and a cinnamon roll is not advisable). Always keep your doctor informed about all the medications and supplements you are taking.
