health benefits of cumin

Cumin considered to be the most popular spice around the world after the black pepper. It is made from the seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant, it is a flowering plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family, and its native land is Asia, Africa, and Europe. Cumin is in the form of dry seeds or powder and used in several dishes, especially Asian, Mexican, Indian and African.Regardless, the cumin used in cooking, it is used medically to help digestion, stop cough, and heal pains. In Tunisia, people use it to fight against infection and to lower blood pressure; recently, cumin is becoming more interesting based on the number of researches that discovered some essential benefits of Cumin.

1. Benefits of cumin; Nutritional value

According to the database issued by the American Ministry of Agriculture, a teaspoon of cumin seeds contains the following:

  • Eight calories
  • 0.37 gram of protein
  • 0.47 gram of fats
  • 0.93 gram of carbohydrates
  • 20. Milligram of calcium
  • 1.39 milligram of iron
  • 8 milligram of magnesium
  • A bouquet of antioxidants

2. Health benefits of cumin

The cumin contains important nutrients that help digestion and improves the immune system, treat skin troubles, anemia, boils, cancer, and respiratory diseases, so let’s have a look at the benefits of cumin:

Regulate digestion

One of the important benefits of cumin is that it contains components that help digestion and reduce stomach problems, the small intestine, and the colon. Besides, cumin helps to flush gas, especially for babies. As it helps indigestion and nausea during pregnancy.The cumin relieves stomach pains, diarrhea, and the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. According to research from Iran published in the Middle East magazine for digestion diseases, proved that the cumin is very effective on improving the symptoms of this syndrome, such as; nausea, stomach ache, and gases.Even the smell of cumin is good for the digestive system because cumin oil includes an initial organic compound called Cominaldhyde, which activate the salivary glands and thus facilitate the digestion. Moreover, the Cumin contains Thymol that releases bile secretions and enzymes which are responsible for complete digestion in the stomach and intestine.

Promote digestion

Cumin contains a bunch of nutrients that help in supporting the body immunity, some of these nutrients are; vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, antioxidants, and others, all these work individually or collectively to support the immune system to comfort diseases. For instance, vitamin C stimulates the white cells to function and helps to neutralize the chemical radicals, which leads to many diseases.

Help to treat asthma and bronchitis

The cumin contains an ideal mixture consisting of caffeine (a catalyst), and essential oils (disinfectants) that work together as an anti-decongestant and expectorant which reduce the asthma troubles and respiratory infections, as it helps to facilitate expelling phlegm and mucous secretions from the respiratory system by sneezing, coughing and spitting.

Help the risk of diabetes

One study has published in medications researcher's magazine that the cumin seeds help to prevent diabetes. The study applied to diabetic rats, they were given a dose of cumin seeds every day for six weeks, and after following those rats, it has revealed that the glucose level has remarkably decreased.Whereas in humans, a certified study including a number of adults with diabetes type 2, who were split up into three groups, they gave to the first group a dose of 100 milligrams of cumin oil every day. The second group received a dose of 50 milligrams, while the third group a placebo.After eight weeks, the results have shown that those who took the cumin oil, their sugar levels, insulin hormone, and hemoglobin in blood were lower compared to the group who took a placebo.

Help weight loss

Recent studies proved that the cumin might be useful in weight loss, a study that included a group of adults who suffer from overweight; they were divided into two groups. They gave the first group cumin medication, and the second a placebo; after eight weeks, researchers found out that the group who took cumin medication has known a noticeable weight loss.In another certified study applied to overweight women who ate every day, 3 grams of cumin powder with milk. After three months, the results were promising as their weight has decreased, and the cholesterol level and triglycerides decreased as well as the level of good cholesterol increased.

Help to fight anxiety

The cumin helps the body to treat anxiety, in a study applied on rats, which were given a cumin extract before doing a tiresome activity, the researchers found that anxiety on their body was lower than it is when they don't take cumin. Thus, scientists thought that cumin works as an antioxidant against anxiety.

Used to fight the cold

The essential oils in cumin help to fight against the viruses of the common cold. cumin helps to prevent coughing from getting worse as it helps in drying the excess mucous; moreover, cumin strengthens the immune system that prevents worsening inflammations.

Improve cognitive skills

The richness of cumin in iron helps to increase the blood flow throughout the body, including the brain, which leads to an increase in cognitive performance. A study applied on rats to know the cumin extract effect on the memory, found that those who took the cumin extract have a good and fast response.

Help to produce milk

Cumin contains Thymol that helps to increase milk flow for breastfeeding women.

Good for the skin

The cumin protects the skin from fungal and microbial infections, due to its antiseptic and anti-fungal properties, and it is famous for its vitamin E that preserves the freshness of the skin and fights the aging signs.Apart from the benefits of cumin, it still has some risksThe consumption of cumin in cooking is safe, but some people suffer from allergies, so it's better to avoid it. Some suffer from nausea, dizziness, and stomach ache after consuming cumin.Diabetics people, in particular, those who consume anti-diabetes drugs, have to use the cumin with caution because it may cause trouble in blood sugar levels.Tuberculosis patients, who consume antibiotics, must be careful while taking cumin, because it increases the level of those medications in the blood, according to a study applied to rats.

3. Use of cumin

It's preferable to buy fresh cumin seeds and not crunched because while crunching it; it loses some of its contents, especially oil, cumin is kept in a sealed container away from sunlight and heat.The right way to use cumin is to put the seed in a bowl, add hot water and leave it for a while, and then drink it. Whereas boiling cumin in water is not good because it will lose some of its components.Finally, modern researchers support some famous health benefits of cumin. Yet, more researchers are needed, particularly on humans, while cumin seems to be good and useful in the medical world, but its use as a food supplement still excluded because it needs more investigations before recommending it.

Originally published on Live Positively.