Cinnamon During Pregnancy: Can You Eat It?

Can you eat cinnamon while pregnant? Medical advice says that yes, cinnamon is perfectly safe to eat during pregnancy. As long as you don’t overdo it.

That means baked goods, cakes, soups, sauces, curries, or any other food that includes this tasty spice are all okay. 🥳

The only possible risk is with cinnamon supplements and oils.

Despite their supposed health benefits, it might be best to use them sparingly, but more on that later.

Here’s what you need to know about eating (or drinking) cinnamon during pregnancy.

In this article: 📝

Is cinnamon safe during pregnancy?

According to the US National Institute of Health (NIH), there’s no firm evidence to suggest that cinnamon is unsafe during pregnancy if you consume it in the amounts usually found in food.

This comes with two caveats:

1. The NIH says, “little is known” about its effects, AKA there’s not enough evidence to say for sure.
   
2. Eating an amount of cinnamon greater than that usually found in a meal wouldn’t be that fun anyway. 🥴

The good news is that, even if you do manage to consume an excessive amount of cinnamon, the risks to pregnant women aren’t any higher than the risks to anyone else.

How much cinnamon is safe during pregnancy?

There’s no strict guideline per se, but some studies have found that between one to six grams of cinnamon per day can be beneficial.

As for the health risks of too much cinnamon, well, most of the concern lies in the presence of a substance called coumarin.

Now, coumarin is totally natural and is found across a wide range of plants, veg, and spices but it’s known for being hepatotoxic when consumed in large amounts.

Even in small quantities, this natural product can cause issues in sensitive people—especially children.

And Cassia cinnamon in particular, can contain up to 1% of coumarin, increasing its potential of being bad news for your liver.

With that said, it’s advised to exercise caution around cassia cinnamon.

Even better, stick to Ceylon cinnamon and reap potential health benefits like improved gut health, protection against IBS, and lowered blood sugar.

Can I drink cinnamon tea while pregnant?

So the benefits are there, but is cinnamon tea safe during pregnancy?

There’s no evidence to link cinnamon tea to any health problems so you’ve got the green light to enjoy your warming seasonal drink come Christmas time.

If you’re concerned about quantity, the NHS in the U.K. does advise sticking to a maximum of four cups of herbal tea per day.

You can always swap in a chamomile tea if you need some extra soothing. 🍵

Same goes if you’re craving your coffee fix.

Are cinnamon supplements safe during pregnancy?

While it’s difficult to eat or drink too much cinnamon, there’s more of a concern about cinnamon supplements.

These are highly concentrated extracts of cinnamon that are sold as having health benefits—such as helping with inflammation, metabolic disease, and lowering cholesterol.

The trouble is that supplements vary in strength, so it’s difficult to know how much you’re taking.

With the rule of thumb of being only the amount found in food, it may be best to avoid them during pregnancy.

Can cinnamon cause birth defects?

There’s no evidence that cinnamon can cause birth differences.

While it can have an impact on your liver health in large quantities, it won’t harm your baby if you eat it in normal amounts.

Can cinnamon cause a miscarriage?

We don’t know whether eating too much cinnamon can hurt your baby while they’re still in the womb.

The research is either limited or entirely inconclusive.

Still, there’s other health concerns with consuming too much—especially the Cassia variety.

The advice stands: don’t overdo it but enjoy that cinnamon bun with ease.

What spices should you avoid during pregnancy?

Most herbs and spices are okay to eat during pregnancy.

But you might want to be cautious with:

• Licorice: While licorice-flavored sweets are okay during pregnancy, it might be best to avoid raw licorice root. Heavy consumption has been linked to preterm birth.
  
• Fenugreek: Some research suggests fenugreek can cause birth differences. Again, this only applies to very high quantities of this spice.
  
• Very spicy foods: Now, these aren’t going to cause serious health problems, but spicy food can cause discomfort, sweating, and high blood pressure—particularly in people who aren’t used to it.

Can cinnamon induce labor?

Although it’s a popular idea, there’s no scientific evidence that cinnamon can induce labor.

The same goes for castor oil and pineapple.

Hey, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a shot.

But if you’re way past due and eager to induce labor yourself, evidence does place nipple stimulation and sex on top.

At the very least, it will give your oxytocin levels—the love hormone—a welcome boost.

So, what’s the verdict?

As long as you’ve got cinnamon oils, supplements, and Cassia at bay, cinnamon rolls and tea can still make an appearance in your pregnancy meal plan.

Rejoice!