By now plenty of anecdotal evidence has surfaced suggesting that attempting to eat a spoonful of cinnamon is bad for your health, if not your view count.

In the popular cinnamon challenge videos, typically teenagers upload videos of themselves attempting to eat a spoonful of cinnamon, often with water handy. Inevitably, the challengers cough and spew a cloud of brown dust.

Although posting such videos can help gain notoriety on the web, doctors have warned that taking the cinnamon challenge poses serious health risks, including "long-lasting lesions, scarring and inflammation of the airway." Cinnamon is a caustic powder composed of cellulose fiber, and does not biodegrade in the lungs.

Clearly, large doses of cinnamon taken at one time are harmful and uncomfortable. But, much like the internet itself, small amounts of it does not hurt, and may actually be good for you.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), no strong scientific evidence exists to support the medicinal use of cinnamon. Clinical trials have shown that cinnamon has no effect on factors related to diabetes and heart disease.

Nonetheless, in addition to its use as a cooking spice for centuries across many cultures, cinnamon is widely used in traditional medicine. Ancient societies used cinnamon to treat bronchitis, and the spice has also been used as an appetite suppressant, to control diabetes, and to treat gastrointestinal problems.

Cinnamon is also used for treating flatulence, muscle and stomach spasms, erectile dysfunction, menstrual problems, and other ailments, although these treatments are not scientifically supported.

Barring allergic reactions, cinnamon is generally safe if taken in amounts of up to 6 grams daily for six weeks or less.

Cinnamon should not be used in place of conventional medicine, including to treat diabetes. Before introducing cinnamon into a personal health regimen, it is best to consult a physician.

Cinnamon challenge aside, under no circumstances should a person snort a condom for health reasons. Only do that for view counts.