Love adding cinnamon to your morning bowl of oatmeal or toast? A viral video is raising questions about whether too much of the topping can cause major health issues.
In the video posted to TikTok, user Abigail White shared a warning, which has amassed more than 1.4 million views.
"Hey, public service announcement. Be careful how much cinnamon you're using in your yogurt bowls or in general," she said, explaining her parents pointed out that she may be using too much. "I did look it up. Liver damage, liver failure."
Viewers were quick to react to the warning.
"Great can’t have nothing," one user commented. "girl you have just ruined my life," another commented. "I am just going to act like I never heard this," another wrote.
Others were wary about
the warning being accurate. "So it turns out I have eaten a lethal amount of cinnamon rolls on several occasions," one person joked.
So, are there risks to be aware of when it comes to cinnamon?
While it's typically safe for most people, there are some things to consider.
"Like most things in life, excessive intake of cinnamon can have potential adverse effects," Jen Messer, a nutrition consultant and registered dietitian at Jen Messer Nutrition, previously told USA TODAY.
Possible issues associated with consuming too much of the spice include allergic reactions that can range from mild irritation to serious symptoms; stomach pain; and potential adverse interactions with medications such as blood thinners. And viral trends like the cinnamon challenge can cause potential injury by accidentally inhaling the powder.
The safe upper limit for cinnamon consumption is not well-established, but for most people, "consuming a teaspoon or less of ground cinnamon per day as a seasoning or flavoring in food and beverages is unlikely to pose significant health risks," Messer said.
Research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture backs this up, noting that consuming half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily, "is very safe and there should not be any side effects."
The type of cinnamon you use also matters.
"Cassia cinnamon contains a compound called coumarin," Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian and author of "2-Day Diabetes Diet," previously told USA TODAY. "And coumarin can damage the liver in high doses."
So long as such considerations are kept in mind, small doses of the spice won't negatively impact most people. "It's only large doses or taking cinnamon as a supplement that should be discussed with a doctor before starting," Donelan said.
Contributing: Daryl Austin
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can cinnamon cause liver issues? What to know after viral TikTok
