Cinnamon is a spice that has been used in food and herbal medicine for centuries. Made from several varieties of the cinnamon tree, this bark flavoring is used in many dishes, drinks, and desserts. Although women can eat dishes that use cinnamon as an ingredient during pregnancy, most doctors do not recommend women to use it.
Is it safe to eat cinnamon during pregnancy?
Cinnamon is safe to eat during pregnancy when used as a flavoring or seasoning in moderation. It also has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, blood sugar controlling properties and natural flavoring properties. Although there are many benefits of eating it, but if you eat it too much then it can also have many fatal side effects. Since consuming cinnamon lowers blood glucose levels and can also reduce blood clotting, women who are taking medications for diabetes or blood thinners need to be extra careful. Eating cinnamon can increase the flow of blood during periods and there is also a high risk of miscarriage.
So if you are wondering is it safe to eat cinnamon during pregnancy then the answer is yes and no. should you eat cinnamon or not It depends on how much you eat it. Even eating good quality cinnamon during pregnancy can be harmful. Do not eat cinnamon supplements or other foods made from it during this period. Even if you have a lot of complications in your pregnancy, you should avoid eating cinnamon.
benefits of cinnamon during pregnancy
There are also some benefits of cinnamon during pregnancy, let us know;
1. It is a natural antioxidant
Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants, such as polyphenols (3, 4, 5), making it a valuable herb. Antioxidants fight free radical damage to the body and promote good health. It also plays an important role in reducing infections caused by fungus, bacteria and parasites.
2. Beneficial for Gestational Diabetes
Cinnamon bark contains active ingredients which control the sugar level in the blood. If you eat it by adding a little bit of it to your food, then it can control the level of sugar in the blood, which can often lead to gestational diabetes in women. However, more research is yet to be done on its role in pre-diabetic or diabetic treatment.
3. It is also a natural flavoring agent
Cinnamon has a varied taste and aroma which makes it a great substitute for artificial flavoring agents in food. Following are some of its types, let us know;
Chinese Cinnamon: It is also called the Indian spice and has a pungent taste and aroma.
Ceylon Cinnamon : It is found in Ceylon, Brazil, India and Indonesia. Its taste is mildly sweet and pungent and the accent of its fragrance is also excellent.
Malabar Cinnamon: Its taste is astringent but mildly bitter.
4. It also has anti-inflammatory properties
Some types of cinnamon also have anti-inflammatory properties, such as cassia. It contains counteractive enzymes which are beneficial in physical inflammation. If it is used in food, then joint pain and inflammation in the body can be greatly benefited.
5. Lowers blood pressure
Consuming cinnamon regularly in moderate amounts in food can lower blood pressure, which is good for women with high blood pressure during pregnancy. It also reduces problems like preeclampsia during pregnancy which is often caused by high blood pressure. You can avoid these problems by including cinnamon in your diet.
6. It also has nutritional benefits
Cinnamon contains a lot of carbohydrates and saturated fatty acids. It is rich in Vitamin ‘C’, Vitamin ‘E’ and Niacin. It is especially rich in choline, pyridoxine and pantothenic acid, It also contains trace minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, manganese and zinc.
What is the right amount of cinnamon to eat during pregnancy?
There are no studies or studies on the amount of cinnamon that should be eaten during pregnancy. According to studies, normal people should take at least 1 to 1.5 grams of cinnamon in a day. A healthy person can consume this much cinnamon in a day without any side effects.
Since there are not many studies showing the safety of cinnamon during pregnancy, many of the known risks of this ingredient have been theorized. However, it is a matter of concern that the detoxification system of the unborn child has not been developed to remove harmful elements, so he can be sensitive to toxins present in food and medicines.
How can you use cinnamon?
During pregnancy, it is not recommended for women to consume large amounts of cinnamon on a daily basis. You can take a pinch or half a teaspoon of cinnamon regularly. You can use cinnamon to enhance the taste of pulao or biryani. Cinnamon is added to pastries, pies, and other bakery products in very small amounts that are not harmful to the unborn child. You can also occasionally drink cinnamon tea in moderation during pregnancy. Cinnamon also contains essential oils which are harmful to the unborn child and can also lead to miscarriage. Therefore, the use of cinnamon essential oil in aromatherapy is not recommended during pregnancy.
Precautions of Eating Cinnamon During Pregnancy
- Do not consume if you are intolerant to cinnamon or if you have obstetric problems related to it.
- It is recommended to use Ceylon cinnamon for mild taste and aroma.
- Avoid consuming expired and poor quality cinnamon during pregnancy.
- If your pregnancy is at risk or there is a risk of miscarriage, then you should completely avoid cinnamon.
- Do not use cinnamon in your beauty remedies as cinnamon oil is not recommended during pregnancy.
Side Effects of Cinnamon During Pregnancy
If you are thinking that cinnamon can be eaten during pregnancy, then here are some of its side effects, let us know;
- Consuming too much cinnamon during pregnancy can impair glucose regulation. It is believed that if you have diabetes for less than 40 days and you eat 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon daily, it can reduce your fasting serum glucose levels by an average amount. It can be harmful for women who have had a C-section because it can cause problems with blood sugar control during or after surgery. Even if you have planned for a normal delivery and there are complications in your delivery and you have to undergo emergency surgery, it can still be a cause of worry.
- If you are taking blood thinner medicines, then you are at risk of bleeding by consuming cinnamon. If you had to undergo a C-section or cesarean section during delivery, cinnamon may increase the risk of bleeding at that time as well. If you’re taking blood thinners, such as antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants, cinnamon may also lower your platelet counts. That’s why doctors don’t recommend eating cinnamon a few weeks before surgery.
- If you are taking medicines regularly then cinnamon can affect you and it can lead to other complications. It has been observed that if you are taking diabetes medicines, then cinnamon can affect its proper functioning. Since no medicine has been prescribed for this, you must consult a doctor before using cinnamon during pregnancy.
- Cinnamon is a common spice among all the spices that most people are allergic to. You may become sensitive to certain foods during pregnancy. Therefore, even if you eat a little cinnamon during this period, pay attention to these symptoms, such as burning sensation in the mouth and swelling of the tongue, cheeks or throat.
- If you consume too much cinnamon as a supplement, it can also lead to miscarriage. Ayurveda also recommends consuming cinnamon in moderation during pregnancy.
If you consume it in moderation then it is safe for your healthy pregnancy. So don’t hesitate at all and occasionally add it to your desserts in moderation.
