Miscarriage is a huge fear of many woman and of course pregnant women. It is often completely out of a persons control the reason for miscarriage but that doesn’t stop many woman from wondering, researching and investigating what can contribute to miscarriage. A common question is can cinnamon cause miscarriage. The answer is not black and white but I’ll include expert opinions, research studies and get you all the best resources for determining if cinnamon can cause miscarriage
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Please note I am not a doctor or medical professional and you should always reach out to your trusted health care provider for professional medical advice and ask any medical questions. I have simply done extensive research on this topic and complied all that information here for you to form your own opinions.
Different Types of Cinnamon
Cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon are the two most popular and studied cinnamon varieties on the market. There are actually over 200 varieties of cinnamon but we utilize very few.
Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of trees belonging to the Cinnamomum genus which are native to Sri Lanka. To harvest it they strip the bark and let it dry.
Cinnamon oil is made from steam distillation of the leaves, twigs and inner bark to release the essential oil from it.
Cinnamon is often touted as a health food and comes in many forms. We consume ground cinnamon, cinnamon supplements, cinnamon tea, cinnamon essential oil and cinnamon sticks are all popular methods for consumption methods for cinnamon.
Cinnamon Health Benefits
There are many general health benefits of cinnamon consumption.
-Anti-inflammatory properties; It may aid in reducing inflammation in the body and may lower the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Pub Med Study
-Reduction in joint pains due to the anti-inflammation properties
-Antioxidants, that can protect the body from damage caused by free radicals and aid in minimizing the risk of chronic diseases. NCBI Study
-Ability to increase insulin sensitivity which may help lower blood sugar levels, particularly for individuals living with diabetes or insulin resistance NCBI Study
-Can contribute to better heart health by decreasing inflammation, lowering high blood pressure, and reducing bad cholesterol levels Pub Med Study
-Natural antimicrobial properties that enable it to fight against bacterial and fungal infections NCBI Study
-Help improve cognitive function, memory, and focus Pub Med Study
Risks of Cinnamon Consumption
As with anything, even natural foods, there can of course be risks to cinnamon consumption. Many people including pregnant woman could experience side effects from even minimal consumption of cinnamon. Cinnamon can cause;
-Allergic reactions which can result in symptoms such as skin rashes, hives, or breathing difficulties Article detailing cinnamon allergy
-Liver damage when consumed in high doses, especially if you have liver disease or if you are taking medication that affects liver function NCBI Study
-Irritation of the mouth and throat
-Can act as a blood thinner due to the presence of coumarin, which can increase the risk of bleeding, particularly in individuals taking blood-thinning medication NCBI Study
-Harmful side effects when combined with certain medications such as blood thinners NCBI Study
Can cinnamon cause miscarriage?
Yes, multiple reputable sources state, cinnamon can lead to miscarriage if consumed in large quantities. A pregnant woman should exercise caution or consider stopping consumption when consuming cinnamon, especially supplements, oils, or other concentrated varsities that can deliver too much cinnamon. Of course you should always consult with your preferred medical professional for any and all medical guidance related to your health or pregnancy.
Several studies have suggested that there is some scientific evidence that cinnamon could have uterine-stimulating properties which might cause contractions and miscarriage in high doses and specifically in early pregnancy or the first trimester of pregnancy. Dr. Nadkarni Purinma Kishore states cinnamon is actually used in other countries as a natural way to induce miscarriage for woman. Natural Miscarriage Statement
One study conducted on rats and published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology showed that cinnamon may stimulate the uterus and increase the risk of miscarriage. It was performed on rats only and the implications for humans are unknown but could be similar.
Another study in the Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy reported that when pregnant rats were given cinnamon bark extract, it increased their uterine contractions. The doses administered are far higher than those typically ingested by humans as a spice and again performed only in rats.
These studies show enough evidence in my opinion to avoid large amounts of cinnamon in your pregnancy. The good news is that pregnancy is only 9 months long so you don’t have to go without if you’re a huge cinnamon fan for long. I personally choose to do anything and everything I can to bring my baby here safely even if it may not actually make a difference, like in the case of cinnamon consumption.
I personally consumed small amounts of cinnamon during my pregnancy in bakery products but did not do any regular consumption of cinnamon or supplementation of any kind. I will note I was in good health and not experiencing any health issues. I also had a healthy pregnancy but still ran everything by my OBGYN if I was every unsure of safety or if it was a good idea to do something.
What things can actually cause miscarriage in pregnancy?
- Maternal age: There are studies showing an increased risk of miscarriage for woman over 35 years of age.
- Smoking: Smoking cigarettes or other substances and being exposed to secondhand smoke has a direct link to increased risk of miscarriage
- Alcohol: Drinking during pregnancy has been linked to increase risk of miscarriage.
- Infections like rubella, CMV and toxoplasmosis can increase the risk of miscarriage.
- Chronic health conditions: Diabetes, thyroid issues and autoimmune diseases, especially left unmanaged increase risk of miscarriage.
- Medications: Some medications such as anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) can increase risk of miscarriage.
- Environmental Toxins: Lead, pesticides and other toxic chemicals can increase the risk of miscarriage.
What can be done to reduce risk of miscarriage?
Leading a healthy lifestyle and reducing exposure to harmful substances/toxins can reduce your risk of miscarriage. Unfortunately miscarriage can just happen without any known cause and at no fault to the mother.
Reducing toxins in beauty products. Toxins such as BHA, parabens, phthalates and other common ingredients have been shown to increase the risk of miscarriage. Check out my non-toxic beauty guide for safe swaps on your favorite products.
Using plastic food containers to reheat food can increase exposure to toxic chemicals such as BHA that can increase risk. Switch to glass containers or put your food on a glass plate to reduce risk.
Chemicals in household products have been linked to increased risk of miscarriage and fetal abnormalities. Simple cleaners like this one I detail how to make here can be effective and are completely safe for you and future baby!
Toxic chemicals in food can cause adverse effects for your fertility and pregnancy. Consider reducing the amount of processed food and food additives you utilize for optimal pregnancy health.
Please remember that some pregnancies are not viable and the body naturally remedies this through miscarriage. Regardless of the situation or cause a miscarriage is very upsetting and you should ensure you take the time needed to heal both physically and mentally.
If you’re looking for some ways to reduce your toxins in your life be sure to check out my articles on skincare, household and food!