Is it possible to swallow a spoon of cinnamon

In more serious cases, the swallowing cinnamon can lead to choking, vomiting and irritation of the throat. That's because cinnamon contains cellulose, which doesn't break down in the body very quickly. Inhalation of dry cinnamon can irritate the lungs, which is even more dangerous for people who have asthma or other breathing problems. Irritation of the lungs can cause inflammation, thickening of the tissue in the lungs and permanent lung scarring -- which can lead to even more serious consequences such as pneumonia or a collapsed lung.

Cinnamon is a healthy addition to your diet when it's added to foods rather than swallowed dry. Obviously, you should skip the cinnamon challenge, but do keep the spice as part of your healthy eating plan. Use cinnamon in homemade bread and muffin recipes or sprinkle it over a bowl of oatmeal or other cooked grains such as farina or quinoa. It can cause an inflammatory reaction.

It doesn't help that people sensationalize the stunt on videos like YouTube. Glatter says that many people get a "thrill" out of trying such impossible tasks, but don't realize that that they are promoting the dangers that come with it. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers AAPCC , about 88 percent of phone calls in the first three months of to the nation's poison control centers were related to the "cinnamon challenge.

Although only 25 percent of those calling needed hospital attention, the challenge can be especially dangerous for those with breathing problems like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD. Glatter says the reason why most people can't swallow that much cinnamon has to do with the spice blocking glands that create saliva. Reviewed by: Kate M. Cronan, MD Date reviewed: May Note: All information on KidsHealth is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

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