Q: Are there any health benefits to cinnamon? A: Cinnamon has been credited with antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have explored the possibility that it can help with managing blood sugar, improving cholesterol, fighting dementia, and even treating multiple sclerosis. But more research is needed before these claims are proven. (2,8,9,10)Q: Is cinnamon bad for you?A: Not if it is consumed responsibly and in moderation. But ingesting cinnamon in a reckless manner, such as in the viral video cinnamon challenge, can result in choking, vomiting, and trouble breathing. Furthermore, cassia cinnamon contains relatively high concentrations of the compound coumarin, which in very high amounts can cause liver damage. The European Food Safety Authority recommends a tolerable daily intake of 0.1 mg of coumarin per kilogram of body weight, or roughly 1 tsp of cassia cinnamon per day. Coumarin can also interact with blood thinners, so if you take one of those medications, check with your doctor about using cinnamon, particularly as a supplement.Q: Can I use cinnamon to lose weight?A: There is little evidence that cinnamon has medical properties that aid weight loss, though its spiciness can help provide flavor to diet regimens that cut back on sugar and salt.Q: What are the different types of cinnamon?A: The cinnamon found in most kitchen cabinets is Cinnamomum cassia, which is native to China and the most common type sold in the United States and Canada. Cinnamomum verum, also known as true cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon, comes primarily from Sri Lanka. It’s more delicately flavored than cassia and more highly prized, though less widely used.Q: What is a better sweetener: cinnamon or honey?A: That depends on your sense of taste. Cinnamon is used as an alternative to honey and other sweeteners by people cutting back on their sugar intake. A sprinkling of cinnamon in a mug of coffee has less than 1 calorie, while a teaspoon of honey has about 20 calories. The real question isn’t whether it’s a better sweetener but rather if it is just as palate pleasing. Try cinnamon as an alternative, give your palate time to adjust, and see if you like it. (29)