Over the blitz of a whirring blender, Emilio Pérez, a chef and partner at Casa Jacaranda cooking school in Mexico City, yelled, “Check this out guys, come here.” Standing in front of a burner, he incinerated a tortilla, its charred remains bound for mole sauce, before directing our attention to the blender to taste the spicy red salsa. Then it was back to the burners to see shriveled raisins — another mole ingredient — plump up, before mixing dough for tortillas. For the next several hours, my attention volleyed from ingredient to ingredient, dish to dish, as our class of eight students prepared a Mexican menu of green tamales, chicken mole, two kinds of salsa and blue corn tortillas under the energetic tutelage of Chef Emilio, as we called him. For cultural spice, he threw in observations such as, “We domesticated the corn and it domesticated us.” Advertisement SKIP ADVERTISEMENT I had come to Mexico City in February seeking just such culinary and cultural immersion. A friend had recently returned from Italy, raving about her four-day cooking school, which was more than $1,000 a day. In the capital of Mexico, I knew I could stretch my budget — a dollar is worth about 20 pesos today — and spend about $200 a day on a D.I.Y. curriculum in one of the world’s most celebrated food traditions, cited on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Part of the experience trend in travel, cooking classes are booming. They are a major component of what the market research firm Grandview Research calls culinary tourism, accounting for $11.5 billion globally and projected to grow nearly 20 percent a year to 2030. Over three days, my husband, Dave, and I took three classes and still had time to catch a lucha libre wrestling match, visit the studios of the artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, and enjoy complimentary mezcal on the rooftop of NaNa Vida hotel in the bohemian Roma district (rooms from 2,888 pesos).

Dear Tripped Up, In early January, my partner and I took a Holland America Line cruise in Baja California, Mexico. Months earlier, we had put our names on a waiting list for a $400-a-person whale-watching shore excursion that was scheduled for the fourth day of the cruise. Holland America confirmed our spot on the waiting list and told us that if spots opened up, it would notify us by email “on how to complete the purchase,” giving us 72 hours to do so. As the sailing date approached, we gave up hope and arranged a whale-watching trip on our own. But a couple of days into the cruise, we noticed that our credit cards had been charged $800 total when we boarded. We then found a note at our stateroom door (along with various announcements and coupons) explaining we had been booked on the excursion and instructing us to call or visit the shore excursion desk if we had made other arrangements. We went immediately, but the desk was closed. We returned the next morning, only to be told we had apparently missed a 48-hour post-purchase deadline to cancel. But the notice did not mention any deadline — and more outrageously, we had never agreed to the purchase in the first place! Appealing to the manager did not help, nor did a 53-minute call to guest relations after the cruise. Can you help? Gabriele, Oxnard, Calif. Dear Gabriele, I took a look at Holland America’s “Know Before You Go” page to see whether there was any related policy you should have, well, known before you went. There was a lot to take in: You can bring up to six liters of water on board with you, but no soda or energy drinks. Distressed jeans are not permitted in table-service restaurants. And more relevant, passengers are required to create an account to use for onboard purchases, and it will be charged automatically for a daily “crew appreciation gratuity” as well as for 18 percent tips on food, drink and spa purchases. There’s no mention of charging your account for shore excursions without your approval, so I understand your exasperation. But after hearing from Holland America and a cruise expert, I’d say the greater offense was the shore excursion manager’s refusal to back down by stretching the deadline a few hours — especially considering it was a deadline you had not been informed of, applied to a purchase you did not explicitly authorize. Advertisement SKIP ADVERTISEMENT Holland America quickly admitted fault on this last point and has now refunded you each $400. Guests who choose not to take an excursion in this situation are owed full refunds, and that should have happened when you made the request, said Jeanine Takala, a spokeswoman for the company, via email. “This was our error, and we apologize for the mistake,” she added. Ms. Takala explained that your card was charged because once passengers board the ship, the cruise line uses a different system: charging them and then notifying them through the onboard Navigator app and stateroom letters, and in some cases by trying to call them, giving them a chance to cancel. But the cruise line has now changed its policy, she wrote in a follow-up email. As of this week, when excursion spots open up after the ship has set sail, wait-listed passengers will be notified and given a short period (often 24 hours, depending on when the excursion is scheduled) in which to accept the spot, or they lose it and won’t be charged. Of course, that would still require passengers to pay close attention to their onboard and online correspondence. In your case, this communication system broke down, though who’s at fault for that gets a bit foggy. You later told me that you elected not to use the Navigator app. But your partner did, and did not receive (or recall receiving) a notification and did not see that the excursion had been added to your schedule. You also said in your initial email that you two did not carefully go through the mail delivered to your stateroom, noting that it included coupons and other announcements. Not being a cruise fanatic myself, I spoke with Chris Gray Faust, U.S. executive editor of the cruise news site Cruise Critic, via video call from — where else? — her stateroom aboard a cruise ship. She was surprised, and maybe a little appalled, that the manager you spoke to on board hadn’t given you an immediate refund. She was even more baffled that your post-cruise follow-up phone call hadn’t resolved the problem. But she was far less bothered by Holland America’s former system of automatically placing wait-listed passengers on shore excursions — and charging their credit cards — when spots opened up, since a system that waited for people to opt in might leave empty spots and disappointed customers. “They’re trying to make everybody happy,” she said. “So they think the way to make the person happy is to say, ‘Hey, we got this slot. We’re going to put you in it.’” She noted that such a policy serves the cruise line’s interest, too: It has already committed to pay the contractor organizing the excursion, so it needs to fill the spots. (The new system might end up leaving more spots empty.) Of course, she said, a cruise line should make an effort to explain the process to wait-listed customers, alerting them to look out for notices at their door and on the app. But passengers on any cruise line should also remove themselves from the waiting list once they have made alternative plans, both to protect themselves and to speed the process for others. Sounds reasonable. In an odd twist that sure makes it seem to me as if members of the shore excursion staff weren’t at the top of their game, you told me that they repeatedly offered you a printed letter titled “For Insurance Purposes” verifying that you had not participated in the excursion but had paid. (You said you did not even have a travel insurance policy.) Advertisement SKIP ADVERTISEMENT That was inappropriate, wrote Ms. Takala. Those letters are meant to help in “situations where an unforeseen event has disrupted the guest’s trip” and might prompt reimbursement from a travel insurance provider. Alas, the unforeseen event in this case — a cruise line making a surprise charge on your credit card — would almost certainly never be covered.

Scientists with the Field Museum of Chicago have discovered that a pigeon-sized Archaeopteryx fossil in its collection displays an array of features previously unknown when it comes to the earliest known birds, particularly a bird’s feathers, hands, feet and head. Reuters reported that the fossil is one of the best preserved and most complete of the 14 known fossils of the specimens identified since 1861. The first Archaeopteryx fossil, which showed reptile and bird-like features, supported Charles Darwin’s ideas on evolution and showed that birds evolved from dinosaurs. The new study was able to make out soft tissues in the Chicago fossil using UV light, while CT scans allowed scientists to see details still embedded in the rock. The study showed that 164 years after the first Archaeopteryx fossil was discovered, there is more to learn about the creature that took flight during the Jurassic period 150 million years ago. The anatomical traits showed that while Archaeopteryx was able to fly, it likely spent more time on the ground and may have been able to climb trees. Scientists noted that the fossil showed the presence of specialized feathers called tertials on both wings. The tertials are attached to the humerus bone in the upper arm and are also the innermost flight feathers, the scientist explained. Small-feathered dinosaurs, though, lacked tertials. Researchers said the discovery of the inner flight wings found in many birds today suggests the tertials evolved specifically for flight. "To generate lift, the aerodynamic surface must be continuous with the body," Field Museum paleontologist Jingmai O'Connor said. "So, in order for flight using feathered wings to evolve, dinosaurs had to fill this gap, as we see in Archaeopteryx. "Although we have studied Archaeopteryx for over 160 years, so much basic information is still controversial. Is it a bird? Could it fly? The presence of tertials supports the interpretation that the answer to both these questions is 'yes,'" O'Connor added. When the fossil was unearthed, it was preserved three-dimensionally as opposed to being flat like many fossils. Scientists were able to prepare soft tissue remains while also protecting them, and when hit with ultraviolet light, the tissue glowed. The species also shows soft tissue on its hands, suggesting the first and third fingers were mobile and could be used for climbing. The soft tissue on its toe pads led scientists to believe the Archaeopteryx spent a lot of its life on the ground and had limited flight capability. Another feature scientists found was the palate, or roof of the mouth, confirming that the Archaeopteryx’s skull was immobile, unlike many living birds. But there is evidence of the first stages in the evolution of a trait that allows the beak to move independently of the braincase, as seen in modern birds. The Chicago fossil possesses the only vertebral column of an Archaeopteryx, which includes two tiny vertebrae at the tip of the tail, showing there were a total of 24 vertebrae, one more than previously thought. The museum acquired the fossil last year and said it had been in the hands of a series of private collectors since being discovered sometime before 1990. "This specimen is arguably the best Archaeopteryx ever found, and we're learning a ton of new things from it," O'Connor said. In March 2018, researchers suggested Archaeopteryx could probably fly, but in a different way from modern-day birds, in rapid, short bursts over short distances. Archaeopteryx possessed feathers, like a modern bird. However, it also possessed a "long, stiff, frond-feathered tail" and teeth, along with bones in its hands, shoulders and pelvis that were not fused. Of the 12 fossils of Archaeopteryx that have been found, the first was discovered in the late 19th century by famed German paleontologist Hermann von Meyer. The most recent was discovered by an amateur collector in 2010, announced in February 2014 and described scientifically in 2018. Reuters contributed to this report.

A Pennsylvania company's yogurt parfait products have been recalled due to an undeclared allergen. The granola component in some of Knockro Inc.'s Bonya-branded low-fat yogurt parfaits "contains almonds, which were not listed on the label." That's according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products," the FDA said in its recall announcement. The breakfast snacks were distributed to stores nationwide. They come in a 12-ounce, clear plastic cup with an expiration date of May 5, 2025, according to the FDA. Yogurt parfait flavors impacted by the recall include vanilla, strawberry, raspberry, peach, mango and blueberry. A recall was initiated "after it was discovered that the almond-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of almonds," the FDA said. "Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes," according to the announcement. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall. But anyone who purchased Bonya yogurt parfaits is asked to return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Coffee aficionados probably weren't expecting to read news items about McDonald's McCafé, yet the fast-food giant made headlines this month for its coffee's understated quality and loyal cult following. "It's consistently good," Donna Locklin, of Salado, Texas, told Fox News Digital. She started drinking McDonald's coffee about 20 years ago, she said, when she became eligible for the 25-cent "senior cup," but it quickly became one of her favorite brews. "It's not too strong but has a rich brown color," she said. "It's never bitter and always fresh. And if it's ever not fresh, they will make you a fresh pot on the spot." Locklin isn't alone in her sentiments. McDonald's coffee drinkers have also taken to social media for some serious java talk. "Why is McDonald's coffee almost always better tasting than just about anything I buy and brew myself?" one Reddit user asked. "Don't be ashamed," another user responded. "I like it, too." "Can't be beat for the price," another person wrote on Reddit. "We're paying attention to all the details to help ensure the best result." With coffee options available on nearly every corner these days, what makes McCafé special? McDonald's chef Mike Lingo revealed some of the history and science behind the blend in an interview with Fox News Digital. "Coffee has been on McDonald's menu since 1948, when the menu had just nine items," he said. "Over the years, we've worked to perfect the blend to give it the delicious, great flavor it has today. From the selection of our beans and quality of our roast to the equipment we use, we're paying attention to all the details to help ensure the best result." Lingo shared that McDonald's uses 100% Arabica coffee beans sourced from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms or from farms participating in the McCafé Sustainability Improvement Platform (SIP) program. "This blend is specifically made just for McDonald's McCafé," he said. "It's a medium-dark roast with a full-body fruity, floral and chocolate note." Lingo said he's not surprised that McDonald's is appreciated for its coffee just as much as its iconic Quarter Pounder and fries. "Nothing compares to starting your morning with a delicious cup of coffee, and we've spent decades perfecting it." "While people love our burgers and fries, when we first open our doors in the morning, we're a breakfast restaurant," Lingo said. "Nothing compares to starting your morning with a delicious cup of coffee, and we've spent decades perfecting it." There's not one closely guarded secret to McDonald's coffee, Lingo said. It's a combination of things that keeps customers coming back. "At McDonald's, we're focusing on making sure the little things are done right," he said. "We have great partnerships in place to ensure that we are selecting the best beans for our blends and roast levels to bring out that great flavor." Though the price of the senior cup has gone up, Locklin and her three sisters, who all live in different cities, still meet up regularly for coffee at McDonald's. "It's always just right," she said.

Was 1999 a simpler time? With dumber phones and fuss-free styling, Y2K-era nostalgia has been strong, and its fashion is no exception. What was once a daring red-carpet look wouldn’t look out of place on the streets today — namely, the peek-a-boo cardigan Salma Hayek wore to the Cannes Film Festival that year. The actor, who had two films premiering at Cannes — the Gabriel Garcia Márquez adaptation “No One Writes to the Colonel” and Kevin Smith-directed fantasy-comedy “Dogma” — paired her baby-blue short-sleeve sweater (fastened suggestively with just two buttons and a bra peeking through) with a full, flowing satin skirt in a sister shade. Hayek wore the unconventional two-piece to the amfAR Gala at Cannes, and accessorized with a silver clutch and extravagant jewelry, opting for a matching set of sapphire and diamond earrings, necklace and bracelet. Later, she traded the necklace for an elephant-shaped pendant as she danced on stage with Ben Affleck, her co-star in “Dogma.” Voluminous satin silhouettes had a moment at the festival: Geraldine Chaplin wore an A-line maxi skirt in white with a plunging V-neck blouse and a dramatic stack of pearls around her neck, while Catherine Zeta-Jones went full prom queen with a halter-neck powder-pink gown. But Hayek stood out for daring to pair hers with the unexpectedly casual: a fuzzy knit. Hayek’s laissez-faire styling wasn’t contrived, either. Over 20 years later, the actor revealed that she had picked out the look herself. “It was taking a chance… I took a sweater that’s supposed to be (worn) with something underneath — because it only had two buttons — and a skirt, and made my own fashion style,” said Hayek in a video recounting some of her best fashion moments for Vogue, which called the Cannes fit a “look-at-me combination.” “Little did I know that Vogue one day was gonna say (it was) one of your iconic looks,” she added, explaining how the ensemble was a result of her “creativity” during a time when she didn’t have many resources to dress for the red carpet. At that point in her career, Hayek was no stranger to getting herself ready for the glitzy celebrity circuit. She told the fashion magazine that she struggled to find designers who would provide her with outfits for her earlier red-carpet appearances. “Nobody thought a Mexican would stick around, so why give me a dress?” she said. Early self-styling By the time Hayek stepped out in her breezy red-carpet-ready cardigan, she already had a number of innovative, self-styled looks under her belt. At the MTV Movie Awards in 1998, she accessorized a simple little black dress with a flutter of butterflies painted on her body — a nod to the era’s temporary tattoo trend, and a clever way to skip wearing expensive jewelry, she explained to Vogue. The year before, Hayek opted for a tiara at her first Academy Awards appearance, rebelling against advice from those who told her it would be “ridiculous,” she recalled. “Everybody started wearing a tiara after that and I never got credit for that trend,” she said in the video. Her suggestive, nothing-underneath cardigan has similarly become a throwback staple, popularized by brands like Reformation who advertise them styled with satin skirts. In 2019, Katie Holmes went viral for her equally slouchy and chic Khaite cardigan and bralette, while designers like Jacquemus, whose cropped, barely-there cardis have been a favorite of celebrities like Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber. Though Hayek can’t get all the credit for pioneering cropped cardigans in the 1990s — the era saw Rose McGowan’s character in the cult flick “Jawbreaker” in a purple version, while Drew Barrymore, Christina Aguilera and Mena Suvari rocked them in various shades — it was a daring choice for Cannes, which is known for its strict dress code. (This week, the festival announced a ban on nudity, seemingly taking aim at the ‘naked’ dress trend, as well as voluminous dresses, from official events). While Hayek now has her pick of designer pieces to wear on the red carpet, her creative combination for Cannes remains timeless. Like all the fashion beloved from the decade, it’s easy, fun — and comes in baby blue.

The curator Koyo Kouoh, a giant of the contemporary art world who tirelessly championed African artists and became the first woman from the continent to curate the Venice Biennale, died on Saturday, age 57. Her death, in a hospital in Basel, Switzerland, was announced in a statement by the Biennale. While the official cause was not disclosed, her husband, Philippe Mall, said she had died of cancer following a recent diagnosis, according to The New York Times. Kouoh had been appointed in December to curate the next edition of the Biennale, the world’s most prestigious international art exhibition. In its statement, the organization said: “Koyo Kouoh worked with passion, intellectual rigour and vision on the conception and development of the Biennale Arte 2026. The presentation of the exhibition’s title and theme was due to take place in Venice on May 20.” It added: “Her passing leaves an immense void in the world of contemporary art and in the international community of artists, curators and scholars who had the privilege of knowing and admiring her extraordinary human and intellectual commitment.” Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, said in a statement: “I express my deep condolences for the untimely and sudden death of Koyo Kouoh.” Asked how her death might affect the next Biennale, a spokesperson told The Art Newspaper: “We’ll know on May 20.” The spokesperson clarified that the conference was still scheduled to take place on that date. The Biennale is scheduled to run from May 9 to November 22, 2026. The organization had cast Kouoh’s appointment as reinforcing its cutting-edge reputation. In December, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, the Biennale’s president, praised her “refined, young, and disruptive intelligence” in a press statement. In the same announcement, Kouoh called her appointment a “once-in-a-lifetime honor and privilege,” describing the Biennale as “the center of gravity for art for over a century.” She expressed hope that her exhibition would “carry meaning for the world we currently live in — and most importantly, for the world we want to make.” ‘Rewriting’ the rules Kouoh was born in Douala, Cameroon, in 1967, and moved to Switzerland at 13. After studying administration and banking, she worked as a social worker assisting migrant women before immersing herself in the art world and returning to Africa in 1996. In Dakar, Senegal, she founded RAW Material Company, an independent art center. In 2016, she joined the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, serving as curator and executive director. There, she became a leading advocate for Black artists from Africa and beyond, curating, among other projects, a major retrospective of the South African artist Tracey Rose in 2022. Beyond Africa, she won acclaim for exhibitions such as “Body Talk: Feminism, Sexuality and the Body in the Works of Six African Women Artists,” which opened at WIELS Contemporary Art Centre in Brussels in 2015, and “Still (the) Barbarians” at the 2016 Ireland Biennial in Limerick, which explored Ireland’s postcolonial condition in the context of the 1916 Easter Rising centenary. “Kouoh did not leave a title for the Biennale, but she did leave a grammar: the urgency to rewrite the rules of the curatorial game,” wrote Artuu, an Italian art magazine, in its obituary. “Koyo Kouoh’s theoretical legacy… does not propose new aesthetic models to frame, but undermines the very foundations of cultural hierarchy. It does not offer easy solutions, but asks uncomfortable questions: Who decides what is ‘art’? Who has the right to tell? What is left to say when language itself has been historically colonized?”

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the approval of three natural-source colors in food items. Galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract and calcium phosphate can all be used now by any manufacturer for color-approved items. "I'm pleased to report that ‘promises made’ have been ‘promises kept,’" FDA Commissioner Martin Makary said in a news release. Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the FDA announced a ban on petroleum-based synthetic dyes within the nation’s food supply, citing health concerns. "FDA staff have been moving quickly to expedite the publication of these decisions, underscoring our serious intent to transition away from petroleum-based dyes in the food supply and provide new colors from natural sources," Makary also said. Galdieria extract blue is a blue color derived from the unicellular red algae Galdieria sulphuraria. It is approved for nonalcoholic beverages and beverage bases, breakfast cereal coatings, candies, frozen desserts, frostings and other sweet selections, according to the news release. Butterfly pea flower extract, derived from water extraction of the dried flower petals of the butterfly pea plant, can achieve colors of blue, green and purple. The dye is already approved for various drinks but has been expanded to cereals, crackers, candies and different snacks. Calcium phosphate is a white color. It can be used now in chicken products and candies. In a Saturday appearance on "Fox & Friends Weekend," HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. detailed the announcement. He said the food industry "has really stepped up" and has been working together with federal agencies like the FDA. "The industry is coming to the table. They are talking to us. They are taking this seriously," he added. Vani Hari, Truvani founder and "Food Babe," told Fox News Digital on Monday that it's unprecedented to see the FDA moving so swiftly. "After this change, the industry will have no excuses not to convert their products to more natural sources," said Hari. "The industry will have no excuses not to convert their products to more natural sources." "Petroleum-based dyes are linked to a litany of health issues and it's time American food companies serve us the same safer ingredients they already use in other countries." Certified nutritionist and Realfoodology founder Courtney Swan told Fox News Digital, "We should have been using plant extracts all along." She added, "They exist in nature and don’t have risks like the synthetic lab-made ones we’ve been using." MAHA Action spokesperson Emma Post said the approval moves America "one step closer toward a cleaner, healthier food system." Post told Fox News Digital, "We look forward to seeing food companies adopt and innovate to create healthier alternatives as they do their part to Make America Healthy Again, and phase out the use of these toxic, petroleum-based chemicals from our food supply." Tyson Foods recently announced it intends to get rid of petroleum-based synthetic dyes from its products by the end of May, Fox News Digital reported.

A bakery that supplies gluten-free products to stores in Utah has recalled more than a dozen foods because they may contain undeclared allergens. New Grains Gluten-Free Bakery in Spanish Fork, Utah, issued a recall last week on 16 of its products, including breads, bagels, cookies and croutons, because they may contain undeclared eggs, soy and milk, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs, soy or milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products," the FDA said in its recall announcement. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that products containing eggs, soy and milk were distributed on labels that did not reveal the presence of these ingredients, the FDA said. Eggs were detected in all 16 recalled products, while milk was discovered in seven and soy was found in five, the recall announcement stated. The recalled products are: 1. Artisan White Bread (Egg) 2. Artisan Multigrain Bread (Egg) 3. Artisan Sourdough Bread (Egg) 4. Artisan Cinnamon Raisin Bread (Egg) 5. Blueberry Bagels (Egg) 6. Cinnamon Raisin Bagels (Egg) 7. Plain Bagels (Egg) 8. Multigrain Bagels (Egg) 9. Artisan Sourdough Ciabatta Rolls (Egg) 10. Chocolate Chip Cookie (Egg, Milk, Soy) 11. Dye-Free Frosted Sugar Cookie (Egg, Milk, Soy) 12. Frosted Sugar Cookie (Egg, Milk, Soy) 13. Coconut Macaroon Cookie (Egg, Milk, Soy) 14. Brownie Chocolate Chip Cookie (Egg, Milk, Soy) 15. Artisan Seasoned Croutons (Egg, Milk) 16. Seasoned Bread Crumbs (Egg, Milk) The affected products have labels that indicate they are "gluten-free" and display the New Grains brand name. They were distributed between April 7 and April 21 under lot numbers 90-107 in the state of Utah, according to the FDA. "The breads and croutons were packaged in clear vacuum-sealed plastic bags, while the cookies were packaged in regular clear plastic bags," the announcement said. "The label colors could be red, purple, orange, blue, green or pink." No illnesses have been reported, but anyone who purchased the recalled products is "urged not to consume" them. Instead, consumers should return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Cinnamon is a popular spice used in food and drinks. It's also used as a supplement for its claims of helping to reduce inflammation and manage blood sugar and cardiovascular health. Despite its flavorful and potential health benefits, a recent study suggested cinnamon may pose a health risk in some individuals taking certain medications, according to a report in Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences. "Controlled ingestion of cinnamon-containing foods or supplements may have beneficial effects, but overconsumption could induce PXR (pregnane X receptor) or AhR-dependent (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) herb-drug interactions, which can bring deleterious effects on human health, particularly in individuals with chronic health conditions," University of Mississippi researchers said in the study. The main component of cinnamon – called cinnamaldehyde – activates receptors in the body that metabolize medication, the authors said. But consuming it in large quantities may reduce the effectiveness of some medicines. "Overconsumption of supplements could lead to a rapid clearance of the prescription medicine from the body, and that could result in making the medicine less effective," said Shabana Khan, one of the study authors from the National Center for Natural Products Research in Mississippi. Types of cinnamon The health risk may depend on the type of cinnamon ingested. Cinnamon bark, especially cassia cinnamon, contains a high level of a blood thinner called coumarin, the report said. "Coumarin's anticoagulant properties can be hazardous for individuals on blood thinners," said Amar Chittiboyina, the center's associate director and one of the study authors. "In contrast, true cinnamon from Sri Lanka carries a lower risk due to its reduced coumarin content." Elaena Quattrocchi, a pharmacist and associate professor of pharmacy practice at Long Island University in New York, told Fox News Digital that "consuming half to 1 teaspoon of cassia cinnamon powder or 2.5 teaspoons of eylon cinnamon daily is considered safe for most adults." But Quattrocchi, who was not affiliated with the study, warned that coumarin can cause liver damage with excessive use. People with pre-existing liver conditions should speak with their healthcare providers before consuming cinnamon. Cinnamon oil, used in food and drinks and topically as an antifungal or antibacterial, presents almost "no risk of herb-drug interactions," Chittiboyina said, according to the report. Who is at risk? Individuals with chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, cancer, HIV/AIDS, obesity or depression "should be cautious when using cinnamon or any other supplements," said Khan. Although sprinkling cinnamon on your coffee is "unlikely to cause an issue, using highly concentrated cinnamon as a dietary supplement might," the study said. Researchers acknowledged that more analysis is needed to investigate herb-drug interactions with cinnamon and its role in the human body. "We know there's a potential for cinnamaldehyde to activate these receptors that can pose a risk for drug interactions … but we won't know exactly what will happen until we do a clinical study," co-author Bill Gurley said in the release. Khan said before using any supplements with prescribed medication, people should talk to their healthcare providers.