Cinnamon explained: what it is and side effects
Cinnamon is a spice made from the dried bark of several kinds of Cinnamomum trees. Ceylon cinnamon grows mainly in Sri Lanka, while cassia cinnamon grows in southeastern Asia and is the most common type sold in North America. Five products we reviewed list cinnamon, and one prints its amount: 100 mg per serving.
- What it is
- Plant
- In the products we reviewed
- 5, 1 print the amount
What cinnamon is
- Cinnamon is a spice made from the dried bark of several kinds of Cinnamomum trees.1
- Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), known as true cinnamon, grows mainly in Sri Lanka.1
- Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticum) grows in southeastern Asia and is the most common type sold in North America.1
- Cinnamon bark, leaves, flowers, fruits and roots have a long history of use in traditional medicine and cooking in China, India and Persia (Iran).1
- Cinnamon is likely safe in the amounts commonly used in foods as a spice or flavoring.1
- Cinnamon supplements at doses below 6 grams a day do not appear to pose a health risk.2
- Cinnamon products may not say which species or plant parts they use, and these differ in chemical makeup.1
How much cinnamon each product gives
Amount not printed: the dashed line shows the most it can be, the whole blend
Before you take it
If you take medicines
Side effects
- In larger amounts or over long periods, cinnamon is sometimes linked to side effects, most often digestive problems or allergic reactions.1
- Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, which might cause or worsen liver disease, but most cassia cinnamon does not have enough to make you sick.2
- Cinnamon oil or powder on the skin may cause irritation or a rash.1
Ask a doctor first
- Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, and long use of cassia cinnamon could be a problem for sensitive people such as those with liver disease.1
- Ceylon cinnamon in larger amounts during pregnancy is considered unsafe.1
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. A supplement is not a medicine.
The 5 products we reviewed that list cinnamon
| Product | Form and serving | Cinnamon per serving | Our score | Price a bottle | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Insufend#2 in blood sugar support | Capsules1 capsule | Not printedIn a 525 mg proprietary blend | 9.6 | $49 | Check price |
 Cellucare#4 in blood sugar support | Capsules1 capsule | Not printedIn a 528 mg proprietary blend | 9.4 | $49 | Check price |
 VitaliSlim#4 in weight loss support | Capsules1 capsule | 100 mg | 9.2 | $49 | Check price |
 GlucoTrust#6 in blood sugar support | Capsules1 capsule | Not printedIn a 207.7 mg proprietary blend | 8.9 | $49 | Check price |
 LeanBliss#9 in weight loss support | Chewable tablets1 tablet | Not printedIn a 250 mg proprietary blend | 8.7 | $49 | Check price |
Questions people ask
Is cinnamon a spice?
Yes, cinnamon is a spice made from the dried bark of several kinds of Cinnamomum trees. It has a long history of use in cooking in China, India and Persia, now Iran.
What is Ceylon cinnamon?
Ceylon cinnamon is Cinnamomum verum, also known as true cinnamon. It grows mainly in Sri Lanka. Cinnamon products may not say which species or plant parts they use, and these differ in chemical makeup.
How much cinnamon can I take daily?
The NIH says cinnamon supplements at doses below 6 grams a day do not appear to pose a risk. Larger amounts or use over long periods are sometimes linked to digestive problems or allergic reactions. Ask a clinician before starting.
What are the side effects of cinnamon?
Cinnamon is sometimes linked to digestive problems or allergic reactions in larger amounts or over long periods. Cinnamon oil or powder on the skin may cause irritation or a rash.
Is cinnamon bad for you?
Cinnamon is likely safe in the amounts commonly used in foods as a spice or flavoring. Ceylon cinnamon in larger amounts during pregnancy is considered unsafe. Ask a clinician before starting a supplement during pregnancy.
Which supplements we reviewed contain cinnamon, and how much?
Five products we reviewed list cinnamon: Insufend, Cellucare, VitaliSlim, GlucoTrust and LeanBliss. VitaliSlim prints 100 mg per 1 capsule serving. The other four include cinnamon in proprietary blends without printing its individual amount.
Also in these products
Sources
The products, amounts and prices come from each product's label and checkout, as its review shows them. AI drafts our pages from listed sources, figures are checked against them, and we have not tried the products.
- 1NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Cinnamon: Usefulness and Safetynccih.nih.gov/healthchecked
- 2NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Diabetes and Dietary Supplements: What You Need To Knownccih.nih.gov/healthchecked