Cinnamon Challenge

A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down.

Well, what about a spoonful of cinnamon?

Cinnamon and a spoon: these are two seemingly innocent objects that can cause you serious damage—possibly even death.

Let’s start from the beginning…

Cinnamon is a spice that actually has a variety of benefits. According to Organic Authority, some of these benefits include stabilizing (even lowering) blood sugar levels, decreasing bad cholesterol, and it can even relieve headaches.

All good things, yes?

This is correct; however, it’s important to consider how you ingest your ½ teaspoon of cinnamon each day.

This brings me back to the danger of the cinnamon and the spoon.

In the past couple of years, there has been a phenomenon called the cinnamon challenge.

I heard about this viral challenge that was taking over social media because my dad forwarded an article about it to me. He said, “This is stupid. Don’t do it.”

Come on now. Your parents tell you not to do something, and what’s the first thing you want to do? You want to do it!

I mean, it’s just cinnamon. What could possibly be so bad about this challenge?

Then I read the article.

Cinnamon, which I consider to be a miracle spice because of its array of health benefits, can be extremely dangerous if you swallow a spoonful of it without any liquids.

Part of what makes this “appealing” for some people is that swallowing cinnamon alone is painful. That’s why it’s called a “challenge.”

While the appeal of a challenge is sometimes just too great for people to pass up, the cinnamon challenge is not worth it.

Along with the pain, the cinnamon challenge can also make it difficult for you to breathe.

According to Forbes, “the ingestion of the powder invariably stimulates the gag reflex followed by inhalation of the powder that’s stuck inside the mouth and throat. The pain then causes rapid exhalation characterized by ‘dragon breath’ upon blowing the powder out.”

You could experience an asthma attack. You could damage your lungs—perhaps even cause one of them to collapse.

A collapsed lung can be a life-threatening condition. While I have not seen any reports of death caused directly by the cinnamon challenge, it is possible.

So, my dad was right when he said, “This is stupid. Don’t do it.” Don’t worry, Dad, I won’t.

And I hope you won’t either.

Here are 5 ideas for how you can get your daily recommended cinnamon intake that do not involve putting it on a spoon and swallowing it alone.

1. Top your mug of hot chocolate with some whipped cream and a little bit of cinnamon (you could even mix some cinnamon into the hot chocolate itself)
2. Combine a little bit of cinnamon with honey (you could eat this alone or use it as a topping for breakfast, perhaps)
3. Put some cinnamon on top of your oatmeal
4. Add a little bit of cinnamon to barbeque sauce
5. Make apple butter with some cinnamon mixed in

Remember that cinnamon is only beneficial in proportion. Do not add too much!

Have you previously heard of the cinnamon challenge? Share your ideas for how to mix cinnamon into your daily meals.

*Resources: wikiHow, Organic Authority, Core Physicians, and Forbes.

This blog entry was contributed by Adena Siefert, a PR and Marketing Intern at Hedstrom – Ball, Bounce and Sport. She recently graduated from Ashland University with degrees in Sport Communication and Public Relations. She likes listening to the Jonas Brothers during her morning commute.