Although it is a spice that offers different vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iron and magnesium, Cinnamon is not a suitable food during pregnancy. Nutritionist Florencia Villafañe, expert in food and nutrition in cerebral palsy and vegan and vegetarian diet, explained the curious reasons for omitting its consumption, at least in excess.
If you analyze it simply, cinnamon would be a perfect ally for your pregnancy, since a cinnamon infusion or water helps you reduce nausea and digestive discomfort. It also controls blood pressure and helps control blood sugar.
However, the nutritionist warns that cinnamon “It has a substance called coumarin, which in high concentrations can cause damage and complications in pregnancy”.
According to an article published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, coumarin is a phytochemical of plant origin that has toxic carcinogenic effects. Although under normal conditions, it is not dangerous, nutritionist Florencia Villafañe points out that Since pregnancy is a sensitive period (especially the first trimester), abusing cinnamon entails risks..
The two dangers you are exposed to if you take a lot of cinnamon during pregnancy
This consequence was exposed in a work published in the magazine Endocrinein 2019. In said article, the researchers noted that Excessive intake of cinnamon during pregnancy (and even breastfeeding) can cause endocrine and metabolic alterations in offspring.
“It induces long-term molecular, metabolic and hormonal changes in adult progeny,” explained nutritionist Florencia Villafañe.
Other research published in the journal International Journal of Molecular Sciencessuggests that cinnamon oil can cause fetal malformation, both in animals and humans.
In this sense, experts recommend avoiding its consumption, especially in the first months of pregnancy. Otherwise, you could suffer digestive changes and contractions, which increases your risk of miscarriage.
They also discovered that children genetically predisposed, due to the consumption of cinnamon during pregnancy, can suffer allergic hypersensitivity when they begin to try solid foods.
Cinnamon can be very delicious and relaxing, but in general terms it is not something that you will need during your pregnancy, so discarding it should not be a problem for you. And if you want to reduce morning sickness, we tell you how to control it with 10 foods.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or health advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health goals.