Can You Take Cinnamon With a Blood Thinner?

Revered by ancient Egyptians for its medicinal properties, cinnamon is a savory spice derived from the bark of the Cinnamomum tree. Although it is widely used, you may need to moderate your consumption if you are taking a blood thinner, as some types of cinnamon, specifically Cassia cinnamon, contain clinically significant levels of coumarin, according to a study published in NPJ Science of Food.

This compound naturally thins blood and could increase your risk of bleeding, according to research that examined the effects of coumarin from supplements containing ginger and cinnamon on blood-thinning medications. In fact, many blood thinners come from coumarin. Talk with your doctor or nutritionist if you are taking an anticoagulant to determine how much cinnamon you can consume safely.

Blood Thinners

Blood thinners, often called anticoagulants, decrease the blood’s ability to clot. Clots can obstruct blood vessels, leading to heart attack and stroke. Typically, physicians prescribe blood thinners to those who have atrial fibrillation and other heart and blood vessel diseases, according to MedlinePlus.

Coumarin in Cinnamon

The coumarin in cinnamon is a natural anticoagulant, so consuming too much cinnamon can be risky if you’re taking a blood-thinning medication. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says that the amounts you have in food are probably safe. However, health risks may occur with cinnamon supplements, which have a higher dose of active ingredients.

Research is yet to confirm a specific dose or limit that makes coumarin unsafe to take with blood thinners, so ask your prescribing physician about safety when consuming cinnamon or taking supplements. The NCCIH says that available studies don’t support taking cinnamon supplements to manage any medical condition, so it may be worth avoiding high-coumarin supplements when you take blood thinners.

However, different types of cinnamon have different doses. The most commonly used anticoagulant drug, warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), is a coumarin derivative, according to a study published in 2022. While cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, another variety, Ceylon cinnamon, does not, according to research published in 2021. However, labels may not always specify which variety a cinnamon product contains.

Considerations

According to research published in 2020, coumarin is present in other foods, such as the peels of some citrus fruits. If you are on blood thinners, ask your doctor if there are any foods you should avoid.