Can you eat a cinnamon stick?

In this brief study, we will answer the question, “can you eat a cinnamon stick?” and will also offer details on the health advantages.

Can you eat a cinnamon stick?

Yes, you can eat a cinnamon stick. While most people prefer to crush cinnamon sticks rather than chew on them, chewing on cinnamon sticks is generally considered to be safe for the majority of people. 

When consumed in big amounts, certain cinnamon has a high quantity of coumarin, which may cause liver problems and drug interactions when consumed in large quantities.(1) 

What are the Health Benefits Of Cinnamon?

Spices such as cinnamon include a wide range of nutrients and compounds that may be beneficial to your health. These nutrients and compounds include polyphenols, antioxidants, and even odd molecules such as cinnamaldehyde, citral, and cinnamate.

It has been shown in research that cinnamon may benefit individuals with type 2 diabetes by increasing glucose absorption, improving insulin sensitivity in fat and muscle tissues, increasing glycogen synthesis in the liver, and delaying stomach emptying, among other potential changes.

Cinnamaldehyde, a chemical compound present in all cinnamon varieties, is responsible for these side effects. 

While the research suggests that cinnamon may be beneficial for glucose control, individuals with diabetes need to follow their doctor’s treatment plan since the advantages of cinnamon have not been proven to be significant enough to act as a replacement for medication. 

When consumed, cinnamon contains antioxidants, which are an important component of a healthy diet since they aid in the neutralization of free radicals, which prevent them from causing harm to the body’s cells.

Additionally, cinnamaldehyde has antibacterial properties and has been shown to prevent the growth of malignant cells in animal studies. 

Cinnamon components may be beneficial in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, the reduction of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, and the prevention of arterial hardening (arteriosclerosis).(2)

Cinnamon is the first aromatic plant used for treating chronic bronchitis. Traditionally it is used due to being astringent, antibacterial and antispasmodic but it also presents other properties. 

For instance, it can be used in the treatment of impotence, frigidity, eye inflammation, vaginitis, neuralgia, rheumatism, to heal wounds and toothache.

Cinnamon essential oil can be used as flavoring in dental preparations and pharmaceuticals. For instance, its flavoring agent, cinnamaldehyde, is added to toothpaste to mask the unpleasant taste of pyrophosphate.

In local medicine, it is used to treat cough, toothache, liver problems, gallstones and mouth freshener.(2)

How to use cinnamon stick?

To use cinnamon stick, add the stick or cook it with the food according to the recipe. 

The essential oil of cinnamon bark is used in cooking preparations due to its delicate aroma and sweet and spicy flavor. It is usually used in seasoning meat, fish, sauces, baked goods and beverages.

It can be used in bakery and pastry products such as cakes and sweets, and as an alternative to synthetic food preservatives. It can be added to chewing gum as a flavor agent due to its refreshing effect in the mouth and their ability to remove bad breath.

There is a tendency to increase the consumption as tea, due to its antioxidant capacity and its use in the diet of thousands of people throughout the world.(2)

What are the advantages and drawbacks of using cinnamon sticks instead of powdered cinnamon?

Both ground and stick cinnamons are readily available.  Ground cinnamon can be sprinkled as a flavor enhancing garnish on desserts and beverages.  Cinnamon sticks can be used to infuse subtle cinnamon flavor into beverages and stews and can be removed before serving.  Stick cinnamon can be ground with a fine grater to make ground cinnamon. (3) 

How to use cinnamon sticks instead of powdered cinnamon?

Cinnamon sticks add flavor to liquid-based dishes and beverages. It’s removed before serving those meals and drinks. Ground cinnamon is added to desserts, stews, and drinks, but it’s not removed before serving.

Generally using a 1/2 teaspoon (about 1.4 grams) of cinnamon is equivalent to a cinnamon stick. Grinding plays a role in unlocking its aromatic compounds and enhancing their extractability, making them more readily available. 

By breaking down the cinnamon sticks into smaller particles, grinding facilitates the access to cinnamon aromatic components and essential oils.. As a result, the tantalizing aroma and flavor that make cinnamon so desirable are fully unleashed.

While grinding enhances extractability, it can make cinnamon more susceptible to the gradual dissipation of its aromatic properties over time. This highlights the importance of proper storage and timely usage to preserve the full potency of ground cinnamon.(4)

What are the risks of cinnamon?

When consumed in big amounts, certain cinnamon has a high quantity of coumarin. 

Coumarin is a hepatotoxic natural compound found in different Cinnamomum species such as Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum loureiroi, and Cinnamomum burmannii; all commonly referred to as cassia.

Cassia contains high amounts of coumarin in contrast to the more expensive and less used Cinnamomum verum, referred to as true cinnamon. Today, many commercially available food products are spiced with cassia and consequently contain coumarin.(1)

Conclusion

In this brief study, we answered the question, “can you eat a cinnamon stick?” and also offered details on the health advantages.

Reference

1. Ballin, N. Z., & Sørensen, A. T.  Coumarin content in cinnamon containing food products on the Danish market. Food Control, 38, 198–203.(2014).
2. 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).
3. McCormick Science Institute. Cinnamon. https://www.mccormickscienceinstitute.com/ 2023
4. Pramod P. Aradwad, Arun Kumar T V, P.K. Sahoo, Indra Mani, Key issues and challenges in spice grinding, Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 5, 2021