Health benefits of cumin seeds

Health benefits of cumin seeds

Cumin is a spice that comes from the seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant.

People usually use cumin in the form of whole dried seeds or as ground powder. Many countries use cumin in their dishes, especially foods from its native regions of the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia.

Cumin seeds are mostly used in India for tempering or seasoning while cooking. It adds flavor and aroma to the dish. Cumin seeds are also used in making spices powder which is used in many dishes.

Cumin has also played a medicinal role in many parts of the world, including Southeast Asia and Iran. Powdered cumin has a cooling effect on the body and cumin also provides relief from digestion problems.

This article gives you a  brief insight into the health benefits of cumin seeds.

Research has also revealed some new benefits of cumin seeds, such as promoting weight loss and improving blood sugar control and cholesterol.

Nutrition
One teaspoon of whole cumin seeds contains:

• 7.88 calories
• 0.93 g of carbohydrate
• 0.37 g of protein
• 0.47 g of fat

The same amount of cumin seeds also provides 19.6 mg of calcium, 7.69 mg of magnesium, and 1.39 mg of iron.

1. PROMOTES DIGESTION

The most common and best use of cumin is for indigestion.

Cumin may increase the activity of digestive enzymes, potentially speeding up digestion.

Cumin seeds help to increases the release of bile from the liver. Bile helps digest fats and certain nutrients in your gut.

2. IS A RICH SOURCE OF IRON

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies, faced by 20% of the world's population. Cumin seeds are rich in iron content.

Studies show that one teaspoon of ground cumin contains 1.4 mg of iron or 17.5% of the RDI for adults.

 Children need iron to support growth and young women need iron to replace blood lost during menstruation.

This makes cumin a good iron source, even when used in small amounts as a seasoning.

3. CONTAINS ANTIOXIDANTS

 The substances called apigenin and luteolin present in cumin seeds act as a good antioxidant. These antioxidants prevent the tiny free radicals that attack healthy cells from being successful. Antioxidants present in cumin help you feel healthier and more energetic, and they help keep your skin from looking aged.

4. GOOD CHOLESTEROL

Some clinical studies show that cumin has also improved blood cholesterol.

Women suffering from overweight and obesity also found that consuming 3 g of cumin powder per day resulted in lower levels of total cholesterol, lower low-density lipoprotein, or “bad,” cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Those people who consumed the cumin powder also had higher levels of high-density lipoprotein, or “good,” cholesterol.

5. DIABETES

A study conducted in 2017 in adults with type 2 diabetes looked at the effects of cumin essential oil on blood sugar levels. People who participated in the study received either 100 milligrams (mg) of cumin oil per day, 50 mg of cumin oil per day, or a placebo.

After 8 weeks, both cumin oil groups had significantly reduced blood sugar, insulin levels. These are all markers of good diabetes management.

6. IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Cumin works well on people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Consuming cumin can reduce IBS symptoms like stomach pain and bloating.

At the end of the study, those suffering from IBS who had mainly experienced constipation had more frequent bowel movements by taking cumin in the diet. Those who had mainly experienced diarrhea as a symptom had fewer bowel movements.

7. MAY PROMOTE WEIGHT LOSS AND FAT REDUCTION

 Few clinical studies show that concentrated cumin supplements have helped promote weight loss.

Study on overweight women found that yogurt containing 3 grams of cumin promoted weight loss, compared to yogurt without it.

Another study showed that people who took 75 mg of cumin supplements every day lost 3 pounds (1.4 kg) more than those who took a placebo.

8. STRESS

Cumin also play a role in helping the body handle stress.

Cumin help fight the effects of stress by working as an antioxidant. The same researchers found that cumin was a more effective antioxidant.

9. HAS AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT

The active ingredients present in cumin seeds have an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic effect. This means that if you are having pain or inflammation that triggers other conditions, cumin in your diet may counter the effects.