Can cinnamon cause miscarriage?

In this brief guide, we will answer the question, can cinnamon cause miscarriage? We will discuss the role of cinnamon that could contribute to miscarriage and complications during pregnancy. We will also discuss an overview of cinnamon including health benefits and side effects of cinnamon as part of the diet.

Can cinnamon cause miscarriage?

Cinnamon could cause miscarriage, if the safe amounts were exceeded. Cinnamon is an example of a herb that poses some risk if taken during the first months of pregnancy since it is a uterine stimulant. (1)

Cinnamon (C. verum L) is contraindicated during pregnancy due to its possible relationship with a fetal malformation. Cinnamon was mainly consumed to facilitate childbirth and abortifacient and oxytocic properties of the herb have already been reported. (2)

Why can cinnamon cause miscarriage?

Cinnamon can cause miscarriage because it is a uterine stimulant, has abortifacient and oxytocic properties and has a possible relationship with a fetal malformation. (2, 3) 

What is the safe amount of cinnamon that a pregnant woman can consume?

Little is known about whether it’s safe to use cassia cinnamon during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Ceylon cinnamon may be unsafe for use during pregnancy if consumed in amounts greater than those commonly found in foods.(5)

What is the health benefit of cinnamon during pregnancy?

Studies suggest that cinnamon may aid in glucose absorption improvement, insulin sensitivity enhancement, glycogen synthesis increase, helping in gestational diabetes. However, it is essential to acknowledge that cinnamon cannot replace prescribed diabetes medication.

The effects mentioned above are primarily attributed to cinnamaldehyde, which is present in all varieties of cinnamon. 

Additionally, cinnamon contains antioxidants that play a crucial role in neutralizing harmful free radicals within the body’s cells. Cinnamaldehyde also exhibits antibacterial properties and has demonstrated potential in inhibiting malignant cell growth based on animal studies.(3)

What are the risks of cinnamon during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, it is advised to avoid the consumption of cinnamon in large doses due to its properties as a uterine stimulant, abortifacient, and oxytocic agent. There is a potential association between cinnamon and fetal malformation, making it important to exercise caution in its use.

Moreover, chances of experiencing prolonged labor and abnormal presentation were higher in users of cinnamon who were more likely to have a cesarean section and their babies were more frequently smaller as compared to non-users (2)

Other FAQs about Cinnamon which you may be interested in.

Why does cinnamon burn?

Why does cinnamon taste sweet?

Can you freeze Pillsbury cinnamon rolls?

Citations

  1. Al Essa, M., Alissa, A., Alanizi, A., Bustami, R., Almogbel, F., Alzuwayed, O. Gramish, J.  Pregnant women’s use and attitude toward herbal, vitamin, and mineral supplements in an academic tertiary care center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal.(2018).
  2. Ahmed M, Hwang JH, Ali MN, Al-Ahnoumy S, Han D. Irrational Use of Selected Herbal Medicines During Pregnancy: A Pharmacoepidemiological Evidence From Yemen. Front Pharmacol. 2022
  3. Ribeiro-Santos, R., Andrade, M., Madella, D., Martinazzo, A. P., de Aquino Garcia Moura, L., de Melo, N. R., & Sanches-Silva, A.  Revisiting an ancient spice with medicinal purposes: Cinnamon. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 62, 154–169.(2017).
  4. Ballin, N. Z., & Sørensen, A. T.  Coumarin content in cinnamon containing food products on the Danish market. Food Control, 38, 198–203.(2014).
  5. NIH, Cinnamon. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/ 2020.

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