Common Household Spice May Interfere With Some Medications: Study

A recent study suggests that cinnamon, a common household spice, may interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications. Researchers from the National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) at the University of Mississippi found that while cinnamon has potential health benefits, overconsumption could lead to herb-drug interactions that affect individuals with chronic health conditions.

The study, published in Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences, highlights that the main component of cinnamon, cinnamaldehyde, activates receptors in the body responsible for metabolizing medication. This can lead to a rapid clearance of prescription drugs, reducing their effectiveness.

"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 in the natural products center. "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."

Cinnamon bark, particularly cassia cinnamon, contains high levels of coumarin, a blood thinner that can be hazardous for individuals on blood-thinning medications. In contrast, true cinnamon from Sri Lanka poses a lower risk due to its reduced coumarin content. Shabana Khan, a study author, warned that overconsumption of cinnamon supplements could lead to health risks, especially for those with chronic illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, and asthma.

Elaena Quattrocchi, a pharmacist, advises that consuming half to one teaspoon of cassia cinnamon or 2.5 teaspoons of Ceylon cinnamon daily is generally safe for most adults. However, individuals with pre-existing liver conditions should consult healthcare providers before consuming cinnamon.

The researchers emphasize the need for further analysis to understand the full extent of herb-drug interactions with cinnamon. Bill Gurley, a co-author, stated, "We know there's a potential for cinnamaldehyde to activate these receptors that can pose a risk for drug interactions … but we won't know exactly what will happen until we do a clinical study."