What Is Cumin?
Cumin is a spice produced by drying the basil plant’s seeds, also known as caraway. It is more like habanero pepper 10/10 hot than black pepper 3/10. Further, it has both sweetness and bitterness, which makes it versatile. Nigella sativa black cumin seeds, also known as “black seed”, are technically from a different family of plants and share lineage with buttercups instead of carrots.
Its flavour is reminiscent of onion, black pepper, and oregano. On the other hand, regular cumin is earthy with citrus, floral, and nutty flavours. It is highly powerful in terms of improving one’s health.
Benefits Of Cumin
1. Improves Digestion
Cumin is a remedy for digestive problems. A lesser-known fact is its ability to relieve digestive issues. Thymol also enhances cuminaldehyde’s action by stimulating the glands responsible for completing the digestion process.
It’s a precondition for the production of digestive juices like stomach acid, bile, and enzymes. As a bonus, it also increases appetite and facilitates better digestion. For the relief of abdominal pain, it can be utilized. Its essential oils, sodium and magnesium content help relieve stomach spasms when taken with hot water.
2. Promotes heart health
Medical research shows that those who eat it daily have a lower chance of developing the coronary disease than those who don’t. A second study showed that smelling ground cumin for 20 mins significantly reduced blood pressure. The volatile oils in it, which increase circulation and relax blood vessels, are responsible for this effect.
It has been proven in certain research to be as effective as some pharmaceuticals at lowering hypertension. Studies have shown that consuming whole cumin seeds can reduce cholesterol by over 10% and triglycerides by 25%.
3. Prevents Anemia
Anemia affects a large percentage of the world’s population. Those who are aware of it are in the minority. It is high in iron and the best antidote for anemia. Cumin 100 gm contains 66 mg of iron.
This is five times more than the iron required by an adult. It contains the iron needed to maintain optimum hemoglobin levels in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is responsible for oxygen transfer throughout the body.
4. Reduces Cholesterol
According to one source, 3 grams of cumins powder daily can reduce total cholesterol levels, low-density lipid LDL, “bad” cholesterol, and fats. It’s powder also increases high-density lipoprotein or “good” cholesterol levels. Hypolipidemic drugs help your body regulate high levels of fats that can harm your heart and cholesterol.
It may have anti-hyperlipidemic properties. One study found that combining yogurt and cumin powder helped lower cholesterol. It was also beneficial for patients with high cholesterol.
5. Cumin Can Alleviates Inflammation
Harvard Health states that cumin is rich in thymoquinone, a phytochemical with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It uses to treat any chronic condition where inflammation is high. It applies to certain conditions, infections, and some bowel disorders. Further, it can also treat headaches, digestion problems, and other skin conditions.
6. Prevents cancer
Thymoquinone is the active compound in cumin that can prevent cancer. It can stop tumor growth by inhibiting specific proteins that link to metastasis and carcinogenesis. Also, it reduces the inflammation caused by colon cancer.
It contains terpenes, phenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids that act as antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent cell damage and mutations that can lead to cancer by protecting cells from oxidative stress. These radicals are controlled by Vitamin C and A in cumin, which can lower the risk further.
7. Increase Lactation
Cumin is high in iron, which benefits pregnant mothers, lactating women, and women undergoing menses. Thymol in it is believed to increase milk secretion and ease lactation. It also contains a high amount of calcium. It makes up a large portion of our daily calcium requirements. Milk naturally contains calcium, making it an excellent source of nutrition for nursing mothers.
8. Relieve Respiratory Disorders
The presence of caffeine Cumin is an excellent anti-congestive and acts as a stimulant. It also contains richly aromatic essential oils that use as disinfectants.
It loosens up the accumulated mucus and phlegm in the respiratory tracts and makes it easier to eliminate them via sneezing, coughing up, and spitting. Further, it can prevent the formation of new material by removing as much mucus as possible.
9. Help with Diabetes
Cumin can be part of a comprehensive strategy to manage diabetes and has many important links. It is an effective glycemic control agent in humans. It has been proven to reduce insulin and fast blood sugar levels in a scientific investigation.
10. Aids weight loss
Cumin can give food more flavor and aid in weight loss. It has appetite suppressant, thermogenic and metabolic properties that increase metabolism and help you burn calories more quickly. Researchers found that people who ate 0.5g/kg cumin seeds per month lost more weight than others. Several active compounds could explain these results in cumin seeds, like thymoquinone or phytosterols such as campesterol and beta-sitosterol.
It may also help to control your glucose levels, lower insulin levels, lower cholesterol, and increase metabolism. A clinical study found that obese people who consumed its three times per day for eight weeks had lower insulin levels and a decrease in body weight compared to a placebo.