Is Cinnamon Bad for Gout? Benefits vs Risks for Gout Symptoms

Evaluating the Effects of Cinnamon on Gout Symptoms

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by excess uric acid crystallizing in the joints. Periodic attacks can result in excruciating joint pain, especially in the big toe. With hundreds of existing anti-inflammatory treatments, is it necessary to analyze whether cinnamon is bad for gout patients?

What is Gout Exactly?

Gout develops when urate crystals accumulate in the joints, commonly around the big toe, knees, ankles, and elbows. This leads to swelling, inflammation, redness, and immense pain with the slightest touch or movement.

Causes include:

• Genetics hindering proper uric acid processing
• Diet high in purines which form uric acid
• Obesity
• Dehydration
• High blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease

During gout flares, the goal is easing swelling and pain fast. Preventing future attacks involves lifestyle adjustments to address associated risk factors.

The Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a warming spice obtained from the inner bark of tropical evergreen trees. It contains antioxidants called polyphenols with potent anti-inflammatory properties. The most abundant antioxidant in cinnamon, MHCP or methylhydroxy chalcone polymer, inhibits nitric oxide production while suppressing inflammatory enzymatic activity.

Research confirms cinnamon extracts can decrease joint swelling and alleviate arthritis symptoms comparable to prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.

So how could this seemingly beneficial spice possibly harm those with gout?

Potential Drawbacks of Cinnamon for Gout Sufferers

Despite cinnamon's inflammation-lowering capabilities, gout patients still require caution with incorporating it into their diet because of two principal drawbacks:

Blood Sugar Impacts

Cassia cinnamon, the most common supermarket variety, reduces insulin resistance helping lower blood sugar up to 29% in those with diabetes. However, drastically dropping glucose can precipitate gout flares.

Rapid glucose shifts cause kidneys to excrete more uric acid without adequate water to dissolve urate crystals. This concentrates uric acid in the joints triggering painful attacks.

Coumarin Content

Cassia cinnamon also contains a natural compound called coumarin responsible for cinnamon’s aroma and flavor. But high coumarin exposure over time potentially leads to liver toxicity and interference with certain medications.

European guidelines limit coumarin consumption to under 0.1 mg per pound of body weight daily. Exceeding this can exhaust the liver’s capacity to process coumarin safely.

Minimizing Risks of Cinnamon with Gout

Rather than definitively declaring cinnamon bad for gout, these downsides simply demonstrate the need for gout patients to be selective with cinnamon source and intake level.

Here are smart cinnamon consumption tips for those with gout:

• Opt for Ceylon instead of Cassia cinnamon when possible
• Use no more than 1⁄2 teaspoon daily
• Avoid taking cinnamon with diabetes or blood thinning medications
• Stay well hydrated to prevent urate crystal formation

Lifestyle Adjustments to Better Control Gout

While temporary use of cinnamon sticks, powder, or extracts can support gout pain relief during flares alongside ice, rest, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, improving daily habits provides lasting change.

Flare Prevention Through Diet

Diet plays a huge part in gout management. Certain foods raise or lower blood levels of uric acid, impacting crystal deposition in joints.

High Purine Foods to Limit

• Red meat, organ meats
• Shellfish, fish like mackerel and sardines
• Fatty foods, sugary foods and drinks
• High fructose foods and corn syrup
• Yeast enriched baked goods
• Alcohol, especially beer

Urate-Safe Foods to Increase

• Fruits like strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, bananas
• Vegetables like kale, bell peppers, cabbage
• Whole grains like oats, brown rice, quinoa
• Legumes including beans, peas, lentils
• Fatty fish like salmon, tuna
• Dairy foods low in fat
• Eggs, nuts and nut butter

Targeting Comorbidities

Weight loss, exercise, smoking cessation, and tight blood sugar control all enable lowering risky uric acid levels. Discuss medications addressing associated kidney disease, high blood pressure or diabetes as well.

Staying Well Hydrated

Consuming sufficient water, herbal teas, mineral water with citrus or alkaline water prevents dehydration reducing urate crystal formation in joints for fewer gout attacks.

The Takeaway

Rather than completely restricting use, those with gout can still obtain cinnamon’s antioxidants and pain-relieving properties through careful selection, measured doses, increased water intake and pairing with a gout-friendly diet and lifestyle for optimum wellness.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.