Although cinnamon is one of the most beneficial spices on earth, and is widely used in both cooking and pastry making, a new craze on the internet is turning the aromatic substance into a veritable health threat.
In a demonstration of how an internet viral can affect young teens who do not know enough about the consequences of following harmful trends or come under pressure to do acts that they would not otherwise do because of peer pressure, the new cinnamon 'challenge' has already caused many hospitalizations.
The challenge consists of trying to swallow a spoonful of dry cinnamon powder. Because of the quantity, and because of the microscopic dry particle of the powder no one can swallow the substance without causing a gagging reflex which then in turn, causes the person to choke on the substance.
Often the cinnamon powder becomes lodged in the lungs where it can do permanent damage.
Unfortunately most videos showing the 'challenge' portray young people intent on doing the feat in what seems like a comical skit. What these videos do not show, that have become ubiquitous in almost every social and video site, is that many of the people who take the challenge end up hospitalized.
Doctors and pediatrician are asking that parents educate their children on the risks and bring the trend to a stop.
Source: npr news 4.22.13
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