Cinnamon stars hit the headlines a few years ago, at Christmas time of all times. The reason was the high coumarin concentrations detected in them. They were well above the limits applicable to this substance and provoked the question of the health risk associated with the consumption of this Christmas pastry.
Occurrence and cultivation of coumarin
Coumarin is a naturally occurring compound derived from cinnamic acid. Its typical structure is found in various plant substances that are considered derivatives (derivatives) and have been grouped under the collective term coumarins. Coumarin is a naturally occurring compound derived from cinnamic acid. Its typical structure is found in various plant substances that are considered derivatives (derivatives) and have been grouped under the collective term coumarins. Its pleasant spicy scent, which is typical of hay, for example, is striking. It takes its name from the South American tonka bean tree (Dipterix odorata), which contains particularly high levels of coumarin and is called Coumarouna (Spanish: camarú) by the natives. In 1822 it was extracted from the tonka beans for the first time. Cinnamon is one of the known sources of this substance. In addition, numerous butterfly plants and brome grasses (Anthoxanthum, a genus of sweet grasses) as well as woodruff and yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis) are among the plants containing cumarin. The leaves and wood of the sour cherry (Prunus mahaleb) and dates also contain the substance.
Effect and application
In the food industry, coumarin enters various products mainly as a cinnamon spice. Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), which contains very low concentrations of this ingredient (less than 100 milligrams per kilogram), is considered a true cinnamon. Chinese cinnamon, also known as cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia), has a high amount, six to twelve grams of the substance per kilogram. Sold commercially as cinnamon sticks (cane, canna, cane), cassia and Ceylon cinnamon are easily distinguished in appearance. The Ceylon cinnamon stick resembles a cigar, with several layers of cinnamon visible in its cross-section. The Cassia cinnamon stick consists of only one rolled and thicker layer. In spice blends, mainly the Chinese cinnamon from southern China or Indonesia is processed. If there is no other indication on the package, this variety must be assumed. The designation Ceylon cinnamon is shown on the labels in most cases. Countries of origin are Sri Lanka, Madagascar, southern India or Brazil. As a flavoring and fragrance, coumarin is used in the food and cosmetics industries. Since its taste is similar to vanilla, plants containing coumarin (tonka bean) serve as a substitute for real vanilla (Mexican vanilla). Important for use in cosmetic products is the property of being well permeable to the skin. Coumarin must be declared as an ingredient in cosmetics, although there is no limit on the amount. Certain substances that have the characteristic basic structure of the compound and are derived from it are used in medicine as coumarin derivatives. They include warfarin and phenprocoumon, which inhibit blood clotting. They are prescribed to patients at high risk of stroke. For these so-called blood thinners (anticoagulants), the dose must be precisely adjusted to avoid causing the opposite effect, bleeding. At lethal concentrations, they are placed as food bait in basements to control rats. The Environmental Protection Agency has established precise guidelines for the use of these rodenticides to avoid harm to non-target organisms (animals and humans).
Health significance, treatment, and prevention.
Due to its adverse health effects, pure coumarin should not be added to foods. The tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.1 milligrams per kilogram of body weight should not be exceeded. Temporary higher consumption is harmless according to current findings. For young children, the recommendation is to offer no more than four cinnamon stars, one gingerbread or one portion of cinnamon on rice pudding per day if they weigh around 15 kilograms. In addition to Christmas cookies, cinnamon spice mixtures are added to cereal bars, teas, mulled wine and breakfast cereals.It is noteworthy that with two grams of Cassia cinnamon blend, which contains 3000 grams of coumarin in one kilogram of the food, the TDI value for a 60-kilogram adult is reached. Those who like to eat cinnamon should switch to Ceylon cinnamon. May punch, to which woodruff is added for flavoring, is safe if it does not exceed three grams of herb. As a medicine, coumarin is available in the form of cinnamon tablets or as an ingredient in ointments. In the treatment of water retention (edema), they play a role as so-called venous remedies. Herbal remedies containing sweet clover are used externally or as tablets or capsules to treat venous weakness, inflammation and a feeling of heaviness in the legs. Teas are less recommended because the effective coumarin dose is variable and difficult to determine. Cinnamon capsules, which type 2 diabetics take to lower blood sugar, contain coumarin in amounts that can rapidly exceed the tolerable daily dose. There is currently insufficient information on long-term effects. Coumarin derivatives that inhibit blood clotting are derived from the same basic substance. However, they differ from coumarin, which itself does not have these inhibitory properties. Regarding the relationship between cancer and coumarin, there are different data in the scientific publications. Some suggest that it may be carcinogenic. Effects on genetic material (DNA) that could prove this have not been found so far. Other publications describe its successful use in kidney and prostate cancer. Acute symptoms caused by coumarin may include severe headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and an increased need for sleep. Hepatotoxic (Greek: hepár, liver) properties have also been demonstrated. Determinations of blood values showed elevated levels of parameters (liver enzymes, transaminases) indicative of liver inflammation. The extent of the effects did not depend solely on the quantities ingested. There are people who are more sensitive. The effects are reversible: liver values normalize after several weeks when coumarin is no longer ingested.