Consuming only this amount of cinnamon may interfere with blood pressure medication
Cinnamon
is one of the oldest and most commonly used
spice
s in the world. From baked goods to beverages, this spice is used in many foods. However, a new study found that cinnamon interacts with prescription medications.
A new study from the National Center for Natural Products Research found that a compound in cinnamon could interfere with some prescription medications.
The study is published in
Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences
.
Dr. Clint Steele, a brain and nervous system specialist with over 300K followers on Instagram, has now shared about how that cinnamon sprinkle could deliver undesirable results. In a video shared on Instagram, Dr. Steele points out that consuming as little as one teaspoon or more of cinnamon daily could disrupt the effects of blood pressure medications and blood thinners due to a compound called coumarin, which acts as a natural blood thinner.
This overconsumption may amplify the medications' effects, potentially leading to complications. However, Steele emphasizes that smaller doses of cinnamon can still offer health benefits. 'One eighth of a teaspoon actually helps to reverse cognitive decline. You can see my other videos regarding that research,' he said in the video. Steele urges those on blood pressure medications or blood thinners to consult their doctors before adding cinnamon to their diets.
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'I'm no means telling you to replace your medication with cinnamon,' he clarifies, 'I want you to understand the facts and talk to your doctor.'
Meanwhile, researchers of the recent study found that cinnamaldehyde, a primary component of cinnamon, activates receptors that control the metabolic clearance of the medication from the body. This is why, when consumed in large amounts, cinnamon could reduce the effects of drugs.
'Health concerns could arise if excessive amounts of supplements are consumed without the knowledge of a health care provider or prescriber of the medications.
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,' Shabana Khan, the principal scientist of the centre, said in a statement.
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'In contrast, true cinnamon from Sri Lanka carries a lower risk due to its reduced coumarin content.
Coumarin's anticoagulant properties can be hazardous for individuals on blood thinners,' Amar Chittiboyina, the center's associate director, noted.
What should you do?
The new study confirms that
cinnamon
can interact with certain prescribed medications. But does that mean you should stop having a cinnamon latte or indulging in the succulent fajitas? No, a little sprinkle of cinnamon won't hurt, but the researchers urge that you take the advice of your doctor, especially if you are interested in using cinnamon as a dietary supplement. They also ask people with chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, asthma, obesity, HIV, AIDS, or depression to be cautious when using cinnamon or any other supplements.
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