There’s no concrete evidence that cinnamon helps reduce or worsen acid reflux. Some studies suggest it may be helpful with related conditions like heartburn or indigestion, but more research is needed to verify this.
Share on PinterestHelen Sotiriadis/Stocksy UnitedIf you’ve ever felt a burning sensation in your chest during or after eating, you’ve likely experienced acid reflux. This uncomfortable, frustrating condition is caused by stomach acid moving up into your esophagus.
Diet, stress, body weight, smoking, pregnancy, and other lifestyle factors may trigger it. In particular, the foods and spices you eat may cause acid reflux or worsen its symptoms.
In addition, acid reflux can be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which affects over 25% of the North American population.
Cinnamon is one of the world’s most popular spices and is widely debated as a cure or cause of acid reflux. As such, you may wonder whether to eat it if you have this condition.
This article explains whether cinnamon causes or treats acid reflux.
What is cinnamon?
Cinnamon is a popular spice used in many cultural dishes around the world. It’s commonly used in desserts, breakfast dishes, and warm beverages.
It’s also beneficial for your health thanks to its polyphenol plant compounds, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In particular, it’s high in cinnamic acid, cinnamaldehyde, and various flavonoids.
The most widely available type is cassia cinnamon, which is usually more processed and contains fewer antioxidants. On the other hand, Ceylon cinnamon is considered “true” cinnamon. It contains more antioxidants but is hard to find in most stores.
Does cinnamon cause or cure acid reflux?
To date, no research suggests that cinnamon causes or exacerbates acid reflux.
However, A 2021 study did find that cinnamon may help with functional dyspepsia or indigestion.
One 2020 Iranian study that looked at the spices pepper, curry, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon found that those people who ate spicy foods containing these spices experienced more heartburn, which is caused by acid reflux. That said, given that the study was not conducted in the United States, it’s possible population differences had an affect on the results.
That said, it’s not common for people to consume cinnamon by itself. It’s usually used in small quantities and often served with other triggering foods, which makes it difficult to tie it directly to worsened symptoms. More research is needed to understand whether cinnamon itself can either trigger or cure acid reflux.
It can’t be ruled out as a trigger
There’s no direct evidence to suggest that cinnamon cures acid reflux. Therefore, it’s best to work with your healthcare professional to find more effective treatments.
However, triggers of acid reflux are highly individual, and what affects one person may not affect another. Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to your own eating habits to determine whether cinnamon or other foods trigger your symptoms.
If you think that cinnamon may be worsening your symptoms, try eliminating it from your diet for 3–4 weeks. If your symptoms improve, you may want to limit or completely avoid this spice. If your symptoms don’t improve, you can reintroduce it to your diet.
Until more research is available, it’s best to listen to your body and only eliminate foods that worsen your acid reflux symptoms.
If you’re not sure where to start, consult a doctor or registered dietitian to help determine the best course of action.
Tips to managing acid reflux
Learning to manage acid reflux is important for your comfort and health. Untreated, ongoing acid reflux can lead to serious conditions like Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal cancer, difficulty swallowing, and chronic pain.
Some helpful lifestyle tips for managing your acid reflux include reducing trigger foods, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and eating smaller portions more frequently.
If your symptoms continue or worsen, speak with your doctor for personalized recommendations, which may include over-the-counter or prescription medication and — in rare cases — surgery.
Learn more: 8 home remedies for acid reflux/GERD and 14 ways to prevent heartburn and acid reflux (GERD).
Frequently asked questions
What spices should you avoid with acid reflux?
The Iranian study examined pepper, curry, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon. However, there’s little other data on specific spices that may trigger acid reflux. Most recommendations focus on avoiding spicy foods in general.
What foods help acid reflux go away?
No foods can make acid reflux go away entirely, but some can help reduce it. These include cruciferous vegetables and leafy greens, non-citrus fruits, oatmeal, healthy fats like avocado, and more.
Learn more: Foods to help your acid reflux.
Does cinnamon cause gastritis?
There’s no evidence to suggest that cinnamon causes gastritis. In fact, one animal 2022 study found that cassia cinnamon might actually be helpful in relieving gastritis symptoms. However, more human research is needed to verify this.
The bottom line
If you’ve ever experienced acid reflux, you’ll know that the foods you eat are one of the main culprits.
Like many spices, cinnamon has been said to worsen acid reflux symptoms, especially when eaten in large amounts. However, no research currently proves that cinnamon causes or worsens acid reflux.
It’s likewise unlikely to alleviate this condition.
That said, people with acid reflux have different triggers. If you suspect cinnamon is causing your acid reflux, try eliminating it from your diet for 3 to 4 weeks to see if your symptoms subside.
For most people, trial and error with lifestyle changes will help you identify triggers and best manage acid reflux.
Just one thing
Try this today: Each day, keep track of all the food you eat in a journal. Whenever your acid reflux symptoms arise, highlight the corresponding meal. After 3 weeks, see if you can pinpoint potential triggers, then discuss them with your doctor.