Cinnamon Supplements and Spices Review

CAUTION: Some Cinnamon Products High in Toxin. See Which Passed or Failed and our Top Picks! .

Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Last Updated : 08/14/2021 | Initially Posted: 12/11/2020

Cinnamon Supplements and Spices Tested by ConsumerLab.com

Table of Contents

Summary

· Does cinnamon help control blood sugar or blood pressure? Cinnamon may modestly help control blood sugar levels. The evidence is less clear regarding blood pressure (see What It Does). The active compounds in cinnamon are believed to be proanthocyanidins (PACs).

· What is the correct dose of cinnamon? A dose of 1 gram (1,000 mg or about 1/2 teaspoon) of cinnamon bark powder per day may be sufficient to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. With some extracts, smaller doses (as little as 120 mg) may be sufficient (see ConsumerTips™).

· Which cinnamon supplement provided the most PACs? In the supplements tested, PACs ranged from less than 5 mg to over 40 mg per daily serving. Interestingly, the most expensive products provided the least PACs, and there was a 15-fold difference in the cost to obtain PACs across the products (for amounts of PACs, see the Supplements Results Table).

· Is cinnamon safe? What did ConsumerLab find? A concern with cinnamon is that it may contain significant amounts of coumarin — a naturally occurring compound that may cause liver toxicity and is a potential carcinogen. Coumarin can be high in cassia cinnamon (the most common type of cinnamon), but should be low in Ceylon cinnamon — also called "true" cinnamon or Cinnamonum verum — which is, typically, more expensive. However, ConsumerLab found that a "Ceylon" cinnamon product contained 4 mg of coumarin per serving — more than any other cinnamon supplement, suggesting that it is mislabeled. None of the products, however, exceeded the tolerable daily intake limit of 7 mg for an average-sized adult, but two exceeded the limit for children (see coumarin amounts in the Results Tables for Supplements and for Spices).

· One of the cinnamon spices had a particularly high concentration of lead — right at ConsumerLab's limit. Another cinnamon spice had higher concentration of coumarin. We would not recommend either for frequent use. No spice exceeded limits for filth and none (including bark powder supplements) was contaminated with Salmonella.

· Which cinnamon supplement is best? One supplement stood out among the others for providing a high amount of PACs, a safe amount of coumarin, passing all contamination testing, and being relatively inexpensive. It was chosen as our Top Pick among cinnamon supplements.

· Which cinnamon spice is best? We chose three products as our Top Picks for spices. Two were chosen because they had no detectable lead and relatively low amounts of coumarin. The third was chosen because it had no detectable coumarin.

Update

Nutriflair Ceylon Cinnamon (12/26/20 and 2/9/21):
(12/26/20) — A CL member informed us that they asked NutriFlair to comment on our finding in this Review that Nutriflair Ceylon Cinnamon capsules contained an unusually high amount of coumarin, a potential toxin typically found only at very low levels in Ceylon cinnamon. The product appears, instead, to contain cassia cinnamon, which is typically less expensive and contains higher levels of coumarin. Therefore, the product was Not Approved by us.

The emailed response from NutriFlair Brands on December 14th states the following:

"We did see the concerning report on Consumerlab.com, and we are working to ensure this misleading information is resolved and corrected as soon as possible. Consumerlab.com uses a process in their tests whereby they go online and buy a brand's product anywhere online without verifying that it's from the actual brand owner. As such, we highly suspect that they may have purchased from an unauthorized seller, who may have sold a counterfeit product to them.

In the report, we noticed that they stated that NutriFlair Ceylon Cinnamon was priced at $29.97/120 veggie capsules. This signalled [sic] to us that they must have bought from an unauthorized reseller. Only NutriFlair is authorized to sell NutriFlair branded products on Amazon.com, and we sell our Ceylon Cinnamon at a fixed price of $19.99. This is a very common issue supplement brands have been facing on Amazon for some time now."

The representative also wrote "...we will be working with Consumer Lab [sic] to ensure that this issue is cleared up."

We have not been contacted by NutriFlair about this issue, and we did not purchase the tested product on Amazon (as it was sold out) but on Walmart.com, although it was sold by a reseller on Walmart.com named Discount Market Place. (We do try to purchase products, when possible, directly from the manufacturer or distributor.) Does that mean that it is counterfeit? Not necessarily. The packaging of the product that we purchased looks exactly like that on the NutriFlair website. Furthermore, some reviews by verified purchasers of this product on Amazon, where it is sold directly by NutriFlair, suggest that the product changed in recent months, with some suspecting substitution with cassia cinnamon, which would be consistent with our findings. In fact, one reviewer blames the product for causing his or her liver enzyme levels to rise — an indication of liver toxicity that can occur with coumarin exposure. In addition, a CL member who had repeatedly ordered this product in the past reported to us (on 12/27/20, the day after we posted this Update): "I actually returned the last one to Amazon because it didn't even smell like cinnamon at all — more like a dirt/medicinal smell. I looked at the order I returned and it was priced at $19.99 and came from NutriFlair..."

Should NutriFlair contact us about this matter, we are willing, per our policy, to provide additional information as well as an unopened reserve sample for further testing. (The Lot number of the product tested is CNM200204-120 with an expiration date of 02/2022.)

(2/9/21) — A co-founder of Nutriflair contacted us on 2/4/21, providing the following additional information:

"Shortly after the pandemic brought about by Covid-19 started, we went out of stock on Ceylon Cinnamon product due to restrictions placed on importation, which affected the Ceylon Cinnamon ingredients. Several unauthorized sellers (such as "Discount Market Place" referenced in the above article), on Amazon, Walmart, and other third-party websites, saw this as an opportunity to claim the buy box for the product and start selling it without authorization from us. They simply were not buying it from us for resale, because we didn't have it available - not on Amazon, eBay, Walmart, or our website. We were completely out of stock for several months, including on our website - nutriflair.com. Unfortunately, counterfeiting is a big issue that is yet to be fully addressed by these third-party marketplaces. We are currently investigating this matter.

We are now fully stocked on Ceylon Cinnamon on Amazon.com and our website - nutriflair.com. All our products, including the NutriFlair Ceylon Cinnamon, are tested for Purity and Potency before and after being manufactured. We are confident that if you buy a sample of our product directly from NutriFlair, you will find that our product is everything we say it is, and our labelling is accurate.

To ensure that this issue is brought to complete resolution, we are taking committing to third-party testing of all batches of NutriFlair Ceylon Cinnamon. We would also like to go through the necessary processes to ensure we attain Consumer Lab's Quality Certification Program."

Nutriflair is in communication with ConsumerLab about having this product, as currently available through Nutriflair, tested by CL. Any further updates will be posted here.

What It Is:

Cinnamon is a spice commonly used for fragrance and food flavoring. Traditionally, it has been used to treat a wide range of ailments, from digestive complaints to parasitic infections. There two main varieties of cinnamon found in cooking spices and supplements:

· The most commonly sold in the U.S., is cassia cinnamon (species names include Cinnamomum cassia or aromaticum [Chinese], Cinnamomum burmannii [Indonesian], and Cinnamomum loureirii [Saigon or Vietnamese — also spelled loureiroi]).

· The most expensive and less common variety is Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum zeylanicum), also referred to as "true" cinnamon. The flavor of Ceylon cinnamon is not as strong as that of the cassia variety.

Unlike Ceylon, cassia cinnamon contains relatively high levels of a naturally occurring but toxic substance called coumarin. Coumarin has a bittersweet aroma but may cause liver toxicity and, in animal studies, has shown the potential for causing tumors (PubChem). Nevertheless, cassia cinnamon is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. FDA — although there is concern that chronic, high doses could have adverse effects (See the Concerns and Cautions for more information).

Cinnamon contains a type of polyphenol called proanthocyanidins (PACs), which are linked flavanols thought to be responsible for some of its beneficial effects (Anderson, J. Agric. Food Chem. 2004). PACs are characterized by their "degree of polymerization" or "linkages," (i.e. DP-1, DP-2, DP-3 etc.), and, in this Review, we've tested and reported the amounts of soluble PACs DP-1 through DP-7 found in various cinnamon supplements, as well as the amounts of coumarin, as listed in the third column of the Results table.

What It Does:

Most research on the health benefits of cinnamon has focused on cassia cinnamon.

Blood sugar, type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes
Type 2 diabetes:
Some, but not all studies, have found that cinnamon modestly improves blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar is not well controlled with medication. Typical dosage is at least 1 to 2 grams daily of ground cassia cinnamon or 120 mg or more of cassia cinnamon extract. The dose is typically divided into at least two servings per day, each taken around meal times.

For example, a small study in Pakistan among men and women with type 2 diabetes (average age 52) who were taking sulfonylurea drugs (i.e. glibenclamide) found that those who also took 1 gram, 3 grams, or 6 grams of ground cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) in capsules taken in divided doses after meals daily for a little over one month had similar, significant reductions in fasting glucose (between 18% to 29%), triglycerides (23% to 30%) , low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (7% to 27%) and total cholesterol (12% to 26%), while there were no such changes in those who took a placebo (Khan, Diabetes Care 2003).

A study among men and women age 48 or older with type 2 diabetes who were taking an oral hypoglycemic drug (30 mg of gliclazide [Diamicron] per day) found that a dose of either 120 mg or 360 mg of cassia cinnamon extract (each 120 mg was extracted, using water, from 4,800 mg of Cinnamomum cassia — a 40:1 extract made by Shanghai Yitian Bio-Scientific Co, Ltd, China) taken before breakfast every day for three months significantly reduced fasting blood sugar and HbA1c (a form of hemoglobin; the percentage of total hemoglobin, which is HbA1c, indicates how well diabetes has been controlled in recent weeks; ideally it should be below 6% or 7%) compared to placebo (Lu, Nutr Res 2012). Those who took the lower dose of cinnamon extract had an average reduction in fasting blood sugar of 1.01 mmol/L (from 9 to 7.99 mmol/L) and an average 0.67% reduction in HbA1c (from 8.9% to 8.23%), while those in the higher dose group had an average fasting blood sugar reduction of 1.62 mmol/L (from 11.21 to 9.59 mmol/L) and an average 0.92% reduction in HbA1c (from 8.92% to 8.00%). Interestingly, triglyceride levels were significantly decreased but only in those who took the lower dose of cinnamon extract; there were no changes in total cholesterol, "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol or "bad" LDL cholesterol.

Another study among adults with type 2 diabetes taking oral hypoglycemic medication but who had an HbA1c above 7% found that capsules containing 500 mg of cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) powder (Holland and Barrett Ltd, UK) taken with meals (one capsule with breakfast, two capsules with lunch and one capsule with dinner — a total daily dose of 2 grams of cinnamon powder per day) for three months significantly reduced HbA1c from an average of 8.22% to 7.86%, while there was a slight increase in average HbA1c in the placebo group (Akilen, Diabet Med 2010). Fasting blood sugar was not significantly reduced compared to placebo; however, this may be due to the fact that the placebo used (starch powder) is known to lower fasting blood glucose. There was also small but significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure among those who took the cinnamon powder, compared to placebo. (Another study in people with type 2 diabetes who took 1,200 mg of cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) per day for 3 months found no significant decrease in blood pressure (Wainstein, J Med Food 2011).

A three-month study involved giving cinnamon to men and women (average age 60) with poorly-controlled type 2 diabetes, and the effects were judged according to improvements in levels of HbA1c. Those who took two 500 mg capsules of cassia cinnamon (a total daily dose of 1 gram of Cinnamomum cassia) with food in addition to their standard care had a decrease in HbA1c from 8.47% to 7.63%, which was somewhat greater than the decrease found among those who received only standard care and experienced a decrease from 8.28% to 7. 91%. (Crawford, J Am Board Fam Med 2009).

However, other studies have reported no benefit for people with type 2 diabetes. For example, a small study in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes who were either taking oral blood sugar-lowering medication or were trying to control blood sugar through diet found that a capsule containing 500 mg of cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) taken with breakfast, lunch and dinner (a total daily dose of 1.5 grams per day) for 6 weeks did not improve oral glucose tolerance or measures of whole-body insulin sensitivity (Vanschoonbeek, J Nutr 2006). Another study among adults with type 2 diabetes found that taking a capsule containing 500 mg of cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) with breakfast and again with dinner for 40 days had no effect on body mass index, HbA1c, triglyceride, cholesterol or insulin levels compared to placebo. (Blevins, Diabetes Care 2007).

Interestingly, a study using cassia cinnamon significantly reduced blood sugar response when taken with glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), but a study using a similar amount of Ceylon cinnamon found no effect on blood sugar levels (Solomon, Diabetes Obes Metab 2007; Wickenberg, Br J Nutr 2012).

In an analysis of 10 clinical trials investigating the use of cinnamon (either a liquid extract or raw powder of cassia cinnamon [Cinnamomum cassia], although two studies did not specify), the researchers concluded that a dose between 120 mg extract and 6 grams of bark powder per day "may have a beneficial effect on fasting plasma glucose, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglyceride levels in patients with type 2 diabetes," but found no "statistically significant effect on HbA1c" (Allen, Ann Fam Med 2013).

Pre-diabetes: Studies using cinnamon extracts suggest modest reductions in blood sugar among adults with prediabetes, but more rigorous studies are needed.

A small study in prediabetic men and women with metabolic syndrome found that those who took two capsules containing a total of 250 mg of a water soluble extract (20:1) of cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) standardized to 1% doubly-linked type-A PACs (Cinnulin PF -- the type in Swanson Cinnulin PF Cinnamon Extract in this Review) with breakfast and with dinner (a total daily dose of 500 mg of extract) for 3 months had significant decreases in fasting blood sugar (an average decrease of about 10 mg/dL) and systolic blood pressure (an average decrease of about 5 mm Hg), and an increase in lean mass (an average of about 1 kg) compared to those who took a placebo. No adverse events were reported in those taking Cinnulin PF. (Ziegenfuss, J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2006).

A study in China among adults with elevated blood sugar levels found that 250 mg twice a day of a water extract of cassia cinnamon (CinSulin) modestly reduced average fasting glucose levels from 8.85 mmol/L to 8.19 mmol/L. However, the researchers failed to determine if this was statistically significant relative to effects seen in those given placebo (baked wheat flour), whose levels also fell -- from 8.57 mmol/L to 8.44 mmol/L. 2-hr glucose and HOMA-IR values also decreased modestly in the cinnamon group but, again, it was not noted if this was significant relative to placebo (Anderson, J Trad Compl Med 2016). (Note: The CinSulin supplement tested by ConsumerLab.com for this Review may be similar to that in the study but provides cinnamon extract from Cinnamomum burmanii rather than Cinnamomum cassia used in this study; the CinSulin supplement tested by ConsumerLab.com also includes chromium and vitamin D.)

A three-month study conducted in the U.S. and South Korea among 51 men and women (average age 52) with prediabetes found that fasting blood sugar levels increased among those given a placebo but remained stable among those who were given cinnamon (one 500-mg capsule three times daily). After three months, fasting blood sugar levels were approximately 5 mg/dL lower in those who took cinnamon rather than placebo (108 mg/dL vs 114 mg/dL). Cinnamon supplementation also modestly suppressed increases in blood sugar level during oral glucose tolerance testing and resulted in a slight, but statistically significant, decrease (- 0.2%) in HbA1C compared to placebo. There was, however, no improvement in HOMA-IR (a measure of insulin resistance). The cinnamon capsule contained 300 mg of cinnamon extract (species not identified) and 200 mg of cinnamon powder (from Cinnamomum burmannii) [similar to the Solgar Cinnamon capsules previously tested by ConsumerLab.com but with powder from a different species of cassia cinnamon]. No significant changes in weight, blood pressure, blood cell counts, or measures of liver or kidney function occurred (Romeo, J Endocr Soc 2020).

Other uses:
Cinnamon — especially cinnamon oil - contains a compound called cinnamaldehyde that may have anti-microbial activity; there is very preliminary evidence that both cassia and Ceylon cinnamon may inhibit the growth of certain microbes (Nuryastuti, Appl Environ Microbiol 2009; Muthuswamy, J Food Safety 2008); for example, the use of cinnamon gum and candies have been reported to improve oral candidiasis (oral thrush) in several people with HIV (Quale Am J Chin Med 1996).

Laboratory and animal studies suggest cinnamon has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity (Kawatra, Pharmacognosy Res 2015). A study in Iran among 36 women with rheumatoid arthritis already taking disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs found that two 500 mg capsules of cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) taken after breakfast and dinner (2 grams total daily dose of cinnamon powder) for two months significantly decreased self-reported pain by an average of 25 points (out of 100), the number swollen joints by seven, tender joints by eight, and the disease activity score from 6.04 to 3.92. These scores remained the same or slightly increased among those taking a placebo. Cinnamon-takers also had significant decreases in blood levels of CRP and TNFa (markers of inflammation) compared to those who took placebo (Shishehbor, J Am Coll Nutr 2018).

PACs from cinnamon may help to inhibit the formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), which are thought to play a role in conditions such as diabetes, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease (Peng, J Agric Food Chem 2010). A particular liquid extract of Ceylon cinnamon has been found to reduce markers of oxidative stress and improve certain measures of cognitive function in rats (Jain, Nutr Neurosci 2015; Malik, J Basis Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2015). However, there do not appear to be any studies on the use of cinnamon in people to improve cognitive function.

Quality Concerns and Tests Performed:

Like other supplements, neither the FDA nor any other federal or state agency routinely tests cinnamon supplements for quality prior to sale. However, quality issues for cinnamon supplements can include the following:

· PACs: Is it real cinnamon, containing key compounds? As discussed above (What It Is), PACs are compounds expected in cinnamon and may be responsible for its glucose lowering effects.

· Purity:Does the product contain contaminants? Like other supplements made from plants, cinnamon may be contaminated with heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic. In children, infants, and fetuses, even low levels of lead can adversely affect neurobehavioral development and cognitive function. In adults, lead at somewhat higher levels can cause elevated blood pressure, anemia, and adversely affect the nervous and reproductive systems. Lead is of particular concern during pregnancy as the mother can transfer it to the fetus. Cadmium is a carcinogen and kidney toxin. Arsenic is a carcinogen and can damage organs. Potential contamination with Salmonella is also a concern with spices and supplements made of bark powder, as is the presence of "filth" (i.e., insect fragments and/or rodent hairs) in ground cinnamon spice.

· Coumarin: Is it safe? Cassia cinnamon may naturally contain a significant concentration of coumarin, which has been shown in animal studies to be toxic to the liver and a potential carcinogen. Levels may be particularly high with cassia cinnamon from Vietnam: A small study found coumarin to be 29 to 54 mg per gram of cassia cinnamon from Vietnam as compared to 2.9 to 15.5 mg per gram for samples from China (Suzuki, J Nat Med 2021). A tolerable daily intake (TDI) of coumarin of 0.1 mg per kilogram of body weight (e.g., 7 mg for a 70 kg or 154 lb. adult) has been established by the European Food Safety Authority. This is based on daily consumption over long periods of time. Short-term exposure to as much as three times the TDI for one to two weeks is not a safety concern. However, individuals who are more sensitive to coumarin's toxicity may want to further limit their intake (See Concerns and Cautions).

ConsumerLab.com, as part of its mission to independently evaluate products that affect health, wellness, and nutrition, purchased cinnamon supplements sold in the U.S. and tested them to determine 1) the amount of soluble PACs in a daily suggested serving, 2) if cinnamon bark powder supplements or spices exceeded unacceptable levels of lead, cadmium, or arsenic or were contaminated with Salmonella, and 3) if they exceeded the tolerable intake level of coumarin in a daily serving for an adult (7 mg), also noting if the limit for a child was exceeded. (see Testing Methods and Passing Score).

ConsumerLab.com also purchased several bottles of ground cinnamon bark spice, as used in cooking, and tested each for Salmonella and filth, as well as for lead, cadmium, and arsenic. The spices were also tested for amounts of coumarin.

What CL Found:

ConsumerLab.com discovered major differences in the amounts of PACs and coumarin among cinnamon products — and one product emerged as a clear Top Pick among supplements, while two products are Top Picks for cinnamon spice.

Unfortunately, it was also discovered that the most expensive supplement, Nutriflair Ceylon Cinnamon, was very likely not Ceylon cinnamon as claimed, but cassia cinnamon and was inferior in quality to less expensive cassia supplements.

PACs
As discussed above, PACs are the constituent in cinnamon associated with blood sugar-lowering and antioxidant effects. As shown in the graph below, among supplements, PACs per suggested serving ranged from as much as 44.9 mg in two capsules of Trunature [Costco] Advanced Strength CinSulin and 40.5 mg in two capsules of Finest Nutrition Cinnamon to as little as 4.8 mg in one capsule in Natural Factors WellBetX CinnamonRich.

PACs Found Per Serving in Cinnamon Supplements

The cost to get 100 mg of PACs from each product is shown below. This cost was lowest, by far, for Finest Nutrition [Walgreens] Cinnamon at 30 cents (12 cents for two capsules providing 40.5 mg of PACs). Among the other supplements, this cost ranged from 45 cents to over four dollars.

Cost Per 100 mg PACs Found in Cinnamon Supplements

Coumarin
The toxic compound coumarin was found in a daily serving of each supplements at amounts ranging from just 0.013 mg in Oregon's Wild Harvest "True" Cinnamon (Ceylon) to 3.6 mg in Trunature [Costco] Advanced Strength CinSulin and 4 mg in Nutriflair Ceylon Cinnamon. While none exceeded the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of coumarin for an average-size adult (which is 7 mg for a 154 lb person), amounts of coumarin in Trunature and Nutriflair exceeded the TDI for children (3.5 mg for a 77 lb child).

It was surprising and disturbing to find such a high amount of coumarin in Nutriflair, as it claims to be made from Ceylon cinnamon, which should contain little coumarin. The finding of 4 mg of coumarin in a serving of Nutriflair suggests that is actually made from cassia cinnamon (a less expensive ingredient than Ceylon cinnamon) and was mislabeled. It is interesting to note there are some reviews on Amazon of Nutriflair Ceylon Cinnamon by previous users who claim the formula has changed over time, suspecting substitution with cassia cinnamon. One user blamed the product for elevated liver enzymes (an indication of liver toxicity).

The cassia cinnamon spices tended to contain more coumarin per gram of cinnamon than many supplements. As shown in the lower part of the graph below, amounts per gram in products ranged from 3.4 mg (365 [Whole Foods] Cinnamon Ground) to 6.2 mg per gram (Simply Organic Vietnamese Cinnamon) — suggesting that you may seriously want to limit your intake of these cinnamon spices to no more than 1 gram per day, particularly for individuals who are more sensitive to the toxic effects of coumarin — see Concerns and Cautions.

Not unexpectedly, there was no detectable coumarin in the single Ceylon cinnamon spice, FGO Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder. It did, however, contain an amount of lead similar to that in Simply Organic Vietnamese Cinnamon, although an even higher concentration of lead (1.05 mcg/g) was found in Badia Cinnamon Powder, putting it right on the edge of our limit.

Although we did not test cinnamon sticks, these sticks are made of rolled cinnamon bark and are likely contain the same concentration of coumarin in an equivalent amount of bark powder. So, a 5-gram stick of cassia cinnamon could easily contain 25 mg or more of coumarin (Ballin, Food Control 2014) -- a dangerous amount if consumed daily. However, cinnamon sticks are typically not consumed whole, but are steeped in drinks. Coumarin is only very weakly soluble in cold and warm water, and slightly more so in hot water, but it is highly soluble in alcohol and fats/oils. Therefore, steeping a cinnamon stick in a very hot or boiling beverage, or a beverage that contains alcohol or fats (such as milk or cream) may increase the amount of coumarin released. If you do this regularly, consider using Ceylon cinnamon sticks, which contain much lower amounts of coumarin. It could be dangerous to chew (or ingest) significant portions of cinnamon sticks on a regular basis.

Coumarin Found Per Serving in Cinnamon Supplements and Spices

Top Picks

Supplements
If you are trying to get a clinically meaningful dose of cinnamon without risk of injury from coumarin, Swanson Cinnulin PF Cinnamon Extract is our Top Pick. Each capsule provides 150 mg of cinnamon bark extract (providing 23 mg of PACs) for 12 cents. Keep in mind that to get approximately 100 mg of PACs, you would need to take four capsules per day, which is slightly higher than the suggested three capsules per day, although four capsules per day would still provide less than the TDI of coumarin for adults and older children, and it would cost only about 50 cents per day.

The cinnamon extract (Cinnulin PF) in this product reduced fasting glucose levels in a study of prediabetic men and women when taken in 250 mg doses twice daily, for a total of 500 mg of extract (See "Ziegenfuss" study in What It Does section). Four capsules of Swanson Cinnulin PF would provide 600 mg of extract and could theoretically have similar blood sugar-lowering effects. While this may be beneficial for some people, those already using blood sugar-lowering medication should use caution (see Concerns and Cautions).

Finest Nutrition [Walgreens] Cinnamon was the least expensive cinnamon supplement reviewed. However, this cinnamon bark powder contains 2.5 mg of coumarin per two-capsule dose, and you would need to take five capsules to obtain 100 mg of PACS, yielding 6.25 mg of coumarin — close to the limit of 7 mg for adults.

Mason Natural Whole Herb Cinnamon Alpha Lipoic Acid has a somewhat better ratio of PACs to coumarin than the products above and is relatively inexpensive. However, to get 100 mg of PACs, you would need to take five capsules of this product per day providing about 500 mcg of chromium and 750 mg of alpha-lipoic acid (which are added ingredients), putting you close to levels at which these compounds may cause side effects.

Trunature CinSulin provided more PACs per serving than Swanson, but was relatively high in coumarin. Doubling its dose to get close to 100 mg of PACs would exceed 7 mg of coumarin and, because it includes chromium, would raise the risk of chromium side effects.

The supplement with the best ratio of PACs to coumarin was Oregon's Wild Harvest "True Cinnamon," as it had virtually no coumarin. However, you would need to take 20 capsules per day to get 100 mg of PACs. This would be expensive -- over $4 per day -- and you'd be getting 2.4 mcg of lead.

Spices:
If you only occasionally use a small amount of cinnamon as a spice, any of the products tested would be fine. However, if you use cinnamon frequently, we suggest avoiding Badia Cinnamon Powder and Simply Organic Vietnamese Cinnamon. Although Badia was the cheapest (just 2 cents per gram), it had the most lead and the second highest level of coumarin. Simply Organic had the highest level of coumarin (6.2 mg per gram), which is close to the limit for adults, and was relatively high in lead. [NOTE: A teaspoon contains about 2.5 grams of cinnamon. So, one teaspoon of Simply Organic would contain 15.5 mg of coumarin, which is more than twice the tolerable daily intake for coumarin. This could pose a risk if taken daily, long-term.]

We have three Top Picks for spices: Two are similar products: 365 [Whole Foods] Cinnamon Ground (5 cents per gram) and McCormick Ground Cinnamon (6 cents per gram). Each had no detectable lead and, respectively, 3.4 mg and 3.8 mg of coumarin per gram. The third Top Pick is FGO Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder. Although it contains about as much lead as Simply Organic, it had no detectable coumarin (i.e., less than 0.0003 mg/gram) -- as it is true Ceylon cinnamon — and it costs only 3 cents a gram when purchased as a 16 oz pouch of cinnamon powder.

Test Results by Product:

ConsumerLab.com's test results for 12 cinnamon supplements and five cinnamon spices are shown, respectively, in the two tables below. All of the spices were selected for testing by ConsumerLab. Among the supplements, ten were selected for testing by ConsumerLab and two others (each indicated with a CL flask icon) are included for having passed the same testing through ConsumerLab.com's Quality Certification Program. Products listed as "Approved" met ConsumerLab.com's standards for cinnamon supplements or spices. Also shown is the claimed type, form, and amount of cinnamon, serving size recommended on the label, amount of proanthocyanidins (PACs) in supplements and amount of coumarin found per daily serving, results of tests of heavy metals testing for cinnamon bark powders, the cost for a daily serving and to obtain 100 mg of PACs, the full list of ingredients per serving, and, for spices, amounts of filth present (insect parts and animal hair).

Results of ConsumerLab.com Testing of Cinnamon Supplements

(Click arrows or swipe left or right to see all columns)

Approval Statusⓘ

Product Name

Claimed Amount/ Form of Cinnamon

Pill Sizeⓘ

Suggested Serving

Test Results

PACsⓘ, Coumarin, Heavy Metalsⓘ, Salmonellaⓘ

Cost for Suggested Serving

[Cost Per 100 mg of PACsⓘ Found]

Priced

Notable Features

Full List of Ingredients Per Serving

Cinnamon Bark Powder:

APPROVED

Finest Nutrition® [Walgreens] Cinnamon

Dist. by Walgreen Co.

2 capsules

1,000 mg cinnamon bark powder
Cinnamomum burmannii
(Cassia)

Large capsule

As a dietary supplement for adults, take (2) capsules daily with the meal of your choice.

2 capsules

PACs: 40.5 mg
(40.5 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Coumarin: 2.5 mg
(2.5 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Metalsⓘ: Pass (Lead: 0.22 mcg/g)

Salmonellaⓘ: Pass

$0.12/2 capsules

[$0.30]

$10.99/180 capsules

No Yeast, No Wheat, No Gluten, No Milk Or Milk Derivatives, No Lactose, No Sugar, No Preservatives, No Soy, No Artificial Color, No Artificial Flavor, No Sodium.

2 capsules
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) (bark) 1,000 mg.

Other Ingredients: Gelatin, Contains <2% of: Silica, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate.

APPROVED

Mason Natural® Whole Herb Cinnamon Alpha Lipoic Acid

Dist. by Mason Vitamins, Inc.

$ Price Check

1 capsule

500 mg cinnamon bark powder
Cinnamomum cassia
(Cassia)

Large capsule

Adults - Take one capsule, one to two times daily, preferably with food, as a dietary supplement.

1 capsule

PACs: 19.7 mg
(39.4 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Coumarin: 0.5 mg
(1 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Metalsⓘ: Pass (Lead: 0.11 mcg/g)

Salmonellaⓘ: Pass

$0.13/capsule

[$0.64]

$7.58/60 capsules

1 capsule

Chromium 100 mcg, alpha lipoic acid 150 mg

Soy Free. Guaranteed No Added: Sugar, Starch, Sodium, Yeast, Soy, Corn, Wheat, Dairy, Fish, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Egg, Fragrance, Artificial Flavors or Preservatives, Crustacean/ Shellfish.

1 capsule
Chromium as Picolinate (from Chromax Brand) 100 mcg, Alpha Lipoic Acid 150 mg, Cinnamon Powder (Bark) (Cinnamomum cassia) 500 mg.

Other Ingredients: Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica, Gelatin.

NOT APPROVED

Unusually high amount of coumarin for Ceylon cinnamon
(see update)

Nutriflair® Ceylon Cinnamon

Dist. by NutriFlair

2 veggie capsules

1,200 mg organic cinnamon bark powder
Cinnamon verum
(Ceylon)

Large veggie capsule

Take two (2) veggie capsules once a day.

2 veggie capsules

PACs: 19.5 mg
(16.3 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Coumarin: 4 mg
(3.3 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Metalsⓘ: Pass (Lead: 0.67 mcg/g; 0.81 mcg/2 veggie capsules)

Salmonellaⓘ: Pass

$0.50/2 veggie capsules

[$2.56]

$29.97/120 veggie capsules

Non-GMO, Gluten & Dairy Free Ingredients.

2 veggie capsules
Organic Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamon verum) (bark) 1,200 mg.

Inactive Ingredients: Cellulose (Vegetable Capsule).

APPROVED

Oregon's Wild Harvest "True" Cinnamon (Ceylon)

Dist. by Oregon's Wild Harvest

$ Price Check

2 capsules

900 mg organic cinnamon bark powder
Cinnamomum verum
(Ceylon)

Large capsule

Take two capsules daily with or without food or as directed by your healthcare professional.

2 capsules

PACs: 10.2 mg
(11.3 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Coumarin: 0.013 mg
(0.03 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Metalsⓘ: Pass (Lead: 0.24 mcg/g)

Salmonellaⓘ: Pass

$0.44/2 capsules

[$4.36]

$26.59/120 capsules

Free from: Dairy, wheat, peanuts, soy, gluten, and corn allergens. Non-GMO, Certified Organic.

2 capsules
Organic "True" Cinnamon (Ceylon) bark (Cinnamomum verum) 900 mg.

Other Ingredients: Non-GMO bovine capsules and nothing else.

Cinnamon Bark Extracts:

APPROVED

Natural Factors® WellBetX® CinnamonRich®

Mfd. by Natural Factors Canada

1 capsule

150 mg cinnamon bark extract
Cinnamomum cassia
(Cassia)

Medium/large capsule

1 capsule per day or as directed by a health professional.

1 capsule

PACs: 4.8 mg
(31.8 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Coumarin: 0.2 mg
(1.6 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

$0.23/capsule

[$4.88]

$13.97/60 capsules

Contains no artificial colors, preservatives, or sweeteners; no dairy, sugar, wheat, gluten, yeast, soy, corn, egg, shellfish, salt, tree nuts, or GMOs.

1 capsule
CinnamonRich® Cinnamon 20:1 extract (Cinnamomum cassia) (bark) 150 mg.

Other Ingredients: Rice powder, gelatin capsule (gelatin, purified water), magnesium stearate (vegetable grade).

APPROVED

Nature's Answer® Fluid Extract Cinnamon Bark

Mfd. by Nature's Answer®

35 drops [1 ml]

1,000 mg cinnamon bark extract
Cinnamonum cassia
(Cassia)

Liquid in bottle

Take 1/2 - 1 ml (17 - 35 drops) three times a day in a small amount of water.

35 drops [1 ml]

PACs: 11.3 mg
(11.3 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Coumarin: 0.5 mg
(0.46 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

$0.35/35 drops

[$3.09]

$10.49/1 fl oz [30 ml] bottle (approx. 30 servings)

Kosher.

35 drops
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia auct.) Bark Extract (1,000 mg (1:1) Dry Herb Equivalent) 1,000 mg.

Other Ingredients: Vegetable Glycerin, USP Purified Water. 12-15% by volume certified organic alcohol.

APPROVED

PipingRock.com Ceylon Cinnamon 2,000 mg

Mfd. by Piping Rock Health Products

1 capsule

200 mg cinnamon bark extract
Cinnamomum verum
(Ceylon)

Large capsule

For adults, take one (1) quick release capsule daily, preferably with a meal.

1 capsule

PACs: 6.3 mg
(31.3 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Coumarin: 0.3 mg
(1.3 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

$0.11/capsule

[$1.70]

$15.99/150 capsules

No Gluten, Wheat, Yeast, Milk, Lactose, Soy, Artificial Color, Artificial Flavor, Artificial Sweetener, Preservatives. Non-GMO.

1 capsule
Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) (bark) (from 200 mg of 10:1 extract) 2,000 mg.

Other Ingredients: Rice Powder, Gelatin Capsule, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silica.

APPROVED

ProCaps® Laboratories Cinnamon 350™

Mfd. by ProCaps® Laboratories

1 capsule

350 mg cinnamon bark extract
Cinnamomum cassia
(Cassia)

50 mg extract (4:1 extract)

200 mg extract (8% flavones)
16 mg flavones

100 mg extract (3% A polymers)
3 mg type A polymers

Large capsule

Consume one or two capsules daily or as recommended by a health care professional.

1 capsule

PACs: 8.4 mg
(23.9 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Coumarin: 0.8 mg
(2.3 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

$0.30/capsule

[$3.56]

$17.90/60 capsules

1 capsule

Vitamin C 30 mg

Contains No Additives Or Common Allergens Of Any Kind.

1 capsule
Vitamin C (as calcium ascorbate/ascorbyl palmitate) 30 mg, Cinnamon Bark Blend (Cinnamomum cassia) extract/powder (bark) [standardized to 8% Flavones 200 mg, standardized to 3% Type A Polymers 100 mg, 4:1 Concentrate 50 mg) 350 mg.

Other Ingredients: Natural plant cellulose (acid resistant) vegetarian capsule).

APPROVED

Top Pick

for cinnamon supplement

Swanson® Cinnulin PF® Cinnamon Extract

Dist. by Swanson Health Products

1 capsule

150 mg cinnamon bark extract
Cinnamomum cassia and/or Cinnamomum burmanni
(Cassia)

4.5 mg type A polymers

Medium/large capsule

Take one capsule three times per day with water before meals.

1 capsule

PACs: 23 mg
(153.5 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Coumarin: 0.7 mg
(4.5 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

$0.12/capsule

[$0.52]

$14.24/120 capsules

None.

1 capsule
Cinnulin PF® (water soluble extract of cinnamon bark) (Cinnamomum cassia and/or Cinnamomum burmanni) (standardized to 3% Type A Polymers) 150 mg.

Other Ingredients: Rice flour, gelatin, calcium laurate.

APPROVED

Trunature® [Costco] Advanced Strength CinSulin®

Dist. by Costco Wholesale Corporation

2 vegetarian capsules

500 mg cinnamon bark extract
Cinnamomum burmannii
(Ceylon)

15 mg type A polymers

Large vegetarian capsule

Take two capsules once daily with water during a meal.

2 vegetarian capsules

PACs: 44.9 mg
(89.7 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Coumarin: 3.6 mg
(7.3 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

$0.20/2 vegetarian capsules

[$0.45]

$19.99/200 powders

2 vegetarian capsules

Vitamin D 12.5 mcg (500 IU), chromium 400 mcg

Free of: Gelatin, Wheat, Sugar, Lactose, Milk, Fish, Common Allergens, Artificial Flavors, Central Nervous Stimulants & Caffeine.

2 vegetarian capsules
Vitamin D (from Cholecalciferol) (D3) 12.5 mcg (500 IU), Chromium [from Chromium Picolinate (Chromax®)] 400 mcg, Water Extracted Cinnamon Bark Extract 10:1 (CinSulin®) (Cinnamomum burmannii, standardized to not less than 3% [15 mg] type-A Polymers) 500 mg.

Other Ingredients: Cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide.

Combination Bark Powder/Extract Products:

APPROVED

Nature's Bounty® Cinnamon 2,000 mg

Mfd. by Nature's Bounty, Inc.

$ Price Check

2 capsules

250 mg cinnamon bark extract
Cinnamomum spp.

1,000 mg cinnamon bark
Cinnamomum burmannii
(Ceylon)

Large capsule

For adults, take two (2) capsules daily, preferably with a meal.

2 capsules

PACs: 33 mg
(26.4 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Coumarin: 2.4 mg
(2 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Metalsⓘ: Pass (Lead: 0.1 mcg/g)

Salmonellaⓘ: Pass

$0.24/2 capsules

[$0.73]

$7.19/60 capsules

2 capsules

Chromium 400 mcg

Non-GMO, No Artificial Flavor, No Artificial Sweetener, No Preservatives, No Sugar, No Starch, No Milk, No Lactose, No Soy, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish, Sodium Free.

2 capsules
Chromium (as Chromium Picolinate) 400 mcg, Cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) (bark) 1,000 mg, Cinnamon Extract (Cinnamomum spp.) (bark) (a 4:1 Extract, equivalent to 1,000 mg of Cinnamon) 250 mg.

Other Ingredients: Gelatin, Vegetable Cellulose. Contains <2% of: Silica, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate.

APPROVED

Puritan's Pride® Cinnamon with High-Potency Chromium

Mfd. by Puritan's Pride, Inc.

1 capsule

125 mg cinnamon bark extract
Cinnamomum spp.

500 mg cinnamon bark
Cinnamomum burmannii
(Ceylon)

Large capsule

For adults, take one (1) capsule twice daily, preferable with meals.

1 capsule

PACs: 16.9 mg
(27.1 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Coumarin: 1.2 mg
(1.9 mg/gram of listed cinnamon)

Metalsⓘ: Pass (Pass: <0.1 mcg/g)

Salmonellaⓘ: Pass

$0.22/capsule

[$1.33]

$26.99/120 capsules

1 capsule

Chromium 200 mcg

No Artificial Flavor or Sweetener, No Preservatives, No Sugar, No Starch, No Milk, No Lactose, No Soy, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish, Sodium Free.

1 capsule
Chromium (as Chromium Picolinate) 200 mcg, Cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) (bark) 500 mg, Cinnamon Extract (Cinnamomum spp.) (bark) (a 4:1 Extract, equivalent to 500 mg of Cinnamon) 125 mg.

Other Ingredients: Gelatin, Vegetable Cellulose. Contains <2% of: Silica, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate.

Unless otherwise noted, information about the products listed above is based on the samples purchased by ConsumerLab.com (CL) for this Product Review. Manufacturers may change ingredients and label information at any time, so be sure to check labels carefully when evaluating the products you use or buy. If a product's ingredients differ from what is listed above, it may not necessarily be of the same quality as what was tested.

The information contained in this report is based on the compilation and review of information from product labeling and analytic testing. CL applies what it believes to be the most appropriate testing methods and standards. The information in this report does not reflect the opinion or recommendation of CL, its officers or employees. CL cannot assure the accuracy of information.

Results of ConsumerLab.com Testing of Cinnamon Spices

(Click arrows or swipe left or right to see all columns)

Approval Statusⓘ

Product Name

Type of Cinnamon

Test Results
(Note: 1 tsp = 2.5 g)

Filth Found
(per 50 g)

Cost per gram

Price

Notable Features

Full List of Ingredients Per Serving

APPROVED

Top Pick

for cinnamon spice

365® [Whole Foods] Cinnamon Ground

Dist. by Whole Food Market

Ground, Non-GMO
Genus and species not on label (Whole Foods website claims it is Korintje Cinnamon, Cinnamomum burmanni)

1 g

Coumarin: 3.4 mg
(3.4 mg/gram of cinnamon)

Metalsⓘ: Pass (Lead: <0.1 mcg/g)

Salmonella: Pass

Insect fragments: 23
Whole or equivalent insects: 0
Striated animal hairs: 0
Other adulterants: 0

$0.05/gram

$2.99/2.01 oz [57 g] container

Kosher. Non GMO Project Verified seal.

Precaution: Produced in a facility that processes tree nuts, milk, wheat and soy.

Ingredients: Cinnamon.

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FREQUENT USE

due to lead and coumarin

Badia® Cinnamon Powder

Dist. by Badia Spices Inc.

Genus and species not on label (Badia's website claims it is Cinnamon burmanni - Nees Blume)

1 g

Coumarin: 5.3 mg
(5.3 mg/gram of cinnamon)

Metalsⓘ: Lead: 1.05 mcg/g

Salmonella: Pass

Insect fragments: 18
Whole or equivalent insects: 0
Striated animal hairs: 1
Other adulterants: 0

$0.02/gram

$1.19/2 oz [56.7 g] container

Gluten Free. Kosher. (From website: MSG free, Sodium Free, Country of origin, Vietnam, Known Allergens None).

None.

APPROVED

Top Pick

for avoiding coumarin in cinnamon

FGO® Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder

Dist. by FGO®

Organic, Non-GMO
Ceylon cinnamon from Sri Lanka (Cinnamomum verum)

1 gⓘ

Coumarin: <0.0003 mg
(<0.0003 mg/gram of cinnamon)

Metalsⓘ: Pass (Lead: 0.62 mcg/g)

Salmonella: Pass

Insect fragments: 23
Whole or equivalent insects: 0
Striated animal hairs: 1
Other adulterants: 15 non-striated animal hairs

$0.03/gram
($0.23/tbsp)

$14.99/16 oz [453 g] pouch

USDA Organic seal. Non GMO Project Verified seal. (From Website: Given that our products are produced in facilities that contain common allergens, our recommendation would be to avoid our products if you have a common allergy, out of an abundance of caution).

1 g
Calories 2.9, Calories from Fat 0, Total Fat 0 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 0 mg, Total Carbohydrate 0.9 g, Dietary Fiber 0.57 g, Sugars 0 g, Protein 0 g, Percent of recommended daily intake: Calcium 1.1%, Iron 0.57%.

Ingredients: Certified Organic Ceylon Cinnamon from Sri Lanka (Cinnamomum verum).

APPROVED

Top Pick

for cinnamon spice

McCormick® Ground Cinnamon

Dist. by McCormick & Co., Inc.

Ground, Non-GMO
Genus and species not on label (McCormick's website claims it is Cinnamomum cassia, Blume -- Chinese cinnamon)

1 g

Coumarin: 3.8 mg
(3.8 mg/gram of cinnamon)

Metalsⓘ: Pass (Lead: <0.1 mcg/g)

Salmonella: Pass

Insect fragments: 17
Whole or equivalent insects: 0
Striated animal hairs: 0
Other adulterants: 0

$0.06/gram

$3.99/2.37 oz [67 g] container

Non GMO. Kosher. (Allergen statement on website).

None.

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FREQUENT USE

due to coumarin

Simply Organic® Vietnamese Cinnamon

Dist. by Frontier Co-Op

Organic
Vietnamese cinnamon (website claims Cinnamomum aromaticum)

1 g

Coumarin: 6.2 mg
(6.2 mg/gram of cinnamon)

Metalsⓘ: Pass (Lead: 0.63 mcg/g)

Salmonella: Pass

Insect fragments: 15
Whole or equivalent insects: 0
Striated animal hairs: 0
Other adulterants: 0

$0.07/gram

$4.99/2.45 oz [69 g] container

Kosher. USDA Organic seal. (From website: No ETO, non-irradiated)

Ingredients: Organic Cinnamon.

ConsumerTips™:

Consumers should look for the following information on cinnamon labels:

· Form of cinnamon — Extracts, particularly those such as such as Cinnulin PF (in Swanson Cinnulin PF in this Review) or CinSulin (in Trunature Advanced Strength CinSulin in this Review), have been shown to provide substantial amounts of PACs. This is more uncertain with bark powders, as some bark powders included in this review provided about 40 mg of PACs per gram of cinnamon ingredient while at least one (Oregon's Wild Harvest True Cinnamon) provided only 10.2 mg of PACs per gram.

· Check the species of cinnamon — Both cassia and Ceylon cinnamon can provide a significant amount of PACs. A benefit of Ceylon is that it contains only very small amounts of potentially toxic coumarin, although most cassia products, at a daily serving of 1 gram or less, are unlikely exceed the adult tolerable daily intake for coumarin. However, as discussed above, the species Cinnamomum loureirii (Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon) may contain significantly more coumarin than other cassia cinnamons (about 6 to 7 mg per gram).

· Amount of cinnamon per pill or day in grams (g) or milligrams (mg) [1 gram = 1,000 milligrams]

· If available, information about the compounds to which a product is standardized, such PACs

· Cinnamon oil, which is derived by steam distillation of cinnamon, contains cinnamaldehyde as the main constituent (60% to 90%). Coumarin may also be present in small amounts in cassia cinnamon oil (0.1% to 8.4%) (Leela, Chemistry of Spices 2008). PACs are present in only minor amounts, if at all (Zhao, Arabian J Chem 2020). Cinnamon oil products are typically used as an essential oil for aromatherapy and are not recommended for oral use.

Dosage used:

· For people with type 2 diabetes, 1 gram of cassia cinnamon bark powder taken daily may lower fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol (Khan, Diabetes Care 2003; Crawford, J Am Board Fam Med 2009). A dose of between 120 and 360 mg of cassia cinnamon extract (40:1) may also lower fasting blood sugar and HbA1c (Lu, Nutr Res 2012).

· For people with prediabetes, 250 mg of water soluble extract (20:1) of Cassia cinnamon (Cinnulin PF -- standardized to 1% doubly-linked type-A PACs) taken with breakfast and again with dinner may decrease fasting blood sugar and systolic blood pressure (Ziegenfuss, J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2006). Similarly, 250 mg of another water extract (CinSulin) twice daily appeared to modestly reduce fasting blood sugar (Anderson, J Trad Compl Med 2016).

Concerns and Cautions:

· Single ingredient cinnamon products made from cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii or Cinnamomum cassia) are believed to be safe, short-term, at doses as high as 6 grams per day, with few side effects being reported in clinical studies. Among side effects that have been reported in studies using cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia), Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zylanicum), or an unidentified cinnamon species, the most common are gastrointestinal discomfort (stomachache, nausea, constipation and heart burn), followed by headache and skin reactions (hives and rash) (Hajimonfarednejad, Clin Nutr 2018). Long-term safety studies have not been conducted.

· As noted above (see Quality Concerns), long-term daily intake of cinnamon containing high amounts of coumarin should be avoided due to its potential for liver toxicity and carcinogenicity. Up to 1 gram (about 1/2 teaspoon) per day of ground cinnamon would be unlikely to exceed the tolerable limit for adults (7 mg of coumarin); however, a small percentage of individuals who are particularly sensitive to coumarin may develop elevated liver enzymes even with lower amounts coumarin (5 mg or more). Daily intakes of 25 to 30 mg of coumarin have been associated with liver damage, liver failure, and, in some cases, death. It is not known what makes some people more sensitive to coumarin, but theories include an immune system reaction, genetic variation of the CYP2A6 protein, previous alcohol-related liver damage or viral hepatitis (Abraham, Mol Nutr Food Res 2010).

· Taking cinnamon supplements with certain other medications may increase the risk of liver damage. For example, a 71-year-old woman taking a high daily dose (40 mg) of the statin medication rosuvastatin (Crestor) developed hepatitis one week after she began taking a daily cinnamon supplement (dose and form not known). The hepatitis resolved after she stopped taking both the rosuvastatin and the cinnamon supplement, after which she was able to take the statin medication again without any liver problems (Brancheau, Am J Case Rep 2015).

· Because Cassia cinnamon may potentially lower blood sugar, it should be used with caution in people who take blood sugar-lowering medications (i.e., insulin, metformin, glyburide, etc.) and should not be taken for at least two weeks before surgery.

· Some evidence from laboratory and animal studies suggests that cinnamon may affect blood sugar and insulin levels through similar mechanisms as a class of antidiabetes drugs known as thiazolidinediones, such as pioglitazone (Actos), and therefore, could potentially have similar side effects — such as edema (swelling due to the accumulation of fluid). An increase in edema of the legs was reported in a 57-year-old man with hypertension and type 2 diabetes who took 1,000 mg of Cinnamomum cassia cinnamon bark powder for one week. The edema resolved within five days of stopping supplementation (Crawford, J Am Board Fam Med 2018). [Correction: (9/24/18) The cinnamon supplement associated with this adverse event was incorrectly identified as Cinnulin PF when originally posted on 9/22/18. The supplement associated with this adverse event is identified in the report only as "cinnamon bark powder ( Cinnamomum cassia)".]

· An acute worsening of rosacea was reported in a 68-year-old woman with rosacea and type 2 diabetes mellitus after taking a cinnamon oil supplement for two weeks (Campbell, J Drugs Dermatol 2008).

· There is some evidence from an animal study that large doses of cinnamon oil can depress the central nervous system (Harada, J Pharmacobiodyn 1982).

· The safety of cinnamon in pregnant and nursing women has not been established; some experts recommend pregnant women avoid cinnamon oil or high doses of cinnamon bark powder.

Information on this site is provided for informational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of any product nor is it meant to substitute for the advice provided by physicians or other healthcare professionals. The information contained herein should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Consumers should inform their healthcare providers of the dietary supplements they take.

Latest Clinical Research Updates for Cinnamon Supplements and Spices

Vietnamese Cinnamon Concern

8/14/2021

Our tests of cinnamon found higher concentrations of the toxin coumarin in Vietnamese cinnamon. A similar finding was recently reported. Learn more in our Cinnamon Supplements & Spices Review – and see how products compared in our tests.

Cinnamon for Prediabetes?

7/21/2020

Does taking a daily cinnamon supplement help control blood sugar in people with pre-diabetes? See the results of a recent study in the What It Does section of the Cinnamon Supplements & Spices Review. Also see our Top Picks among cinnamon supplements and among cinnamon spices.

Cinnamon for Arthritis

5/05/2018

Taking cinnamon as a supplement was found to decrease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in a recent study. Get the details and learn what else cinnamon can do (particularly regarding blood sugar) in the What It Does section of the Cinnamon Supplements & Spices Review. (Also see our test results for popular cinnamon supplements).

Cinnamon to Lower Blood Sugar?

11/05/2016

A study in people with elevated blood sugar levels found that a particular cinnamon extract (which CL has tested) modestly lowered blood sugar levels. The way the data was analyzed, however, appears flawed in our opinion. Get the details in the "What It Does" section of Cinnamon Supplements and Spices Review >>