Cumin seed
Cumin is the dried seed of the herb Cuminumcyminum, a member of the parsleyfamily. The cumin plant grows to 30–50 cm (0.98–1.6 ft) tall and is harvested by hand. It is an annual herbaceous plant, with a slender, branched stem 20–30 cm tall.
Cumin seeds are used as a spice for their distinctive flavor and aroma. It is globally popular and an essential flavoring in cuisinesof many different cultures. Cumin can be an ingredient in chili powder (often Tex-Mex or Mexican-style), and is found in achiote blends, adobos, so Frito, garam masala, curry powder, and bahaarat.
Health benefit of Cumin Seed
cumin has long been used in traditional medicine. Cumin is traditionally known for promoting digestion reducing food-borne infections. Modern studies have also confirmed some of the health benefits such as weight loss, improving blood sugar control and cholesterol.
Cumin may increase the activity of digestive enzymes, potentiallyspeeding up digestion. It also increases the release of bile from the liver. Bile helps to digest fats and certain nutrients in your gut.
One teaspoon of ground cumin contains 1.4 mg of iron, or 17.5% of the RDI for adults.Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies, affecting up to 20% of the world’s population and up to 10 in 1,000 people in the wealthiest nations.
Cumin contains lots of plant compounds that are linked with potential health benefits, including trepans, phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids.Several of these plant compounds function as antioxidants, which are chemicals that reduce damage to your body from free radicals.Free radicals are lone electrons that cause inflammation and damage DNA.
Cumin supplements may help improve blood sugar control. One clinical study showed a concentrated cumin supplement improved early indicators of diabetes in overweight individuals, compared to a placebo.
- Cumin supplements has improved blood cholesterol in multiple studies.
- In one study, levels of oxidized “bad” LDL cholesterol were decreased by nearly 10% in patients taking cumin extract over one and a half months. In another study 88 women looked at whether cumin affected levels of “good” HDL cholesterol.
- Those who took 3 grams of cumin with yogurt twice a day for three months had higher levels of HDL than those who ate yogurt without it.
Concentrated cumin supplements has promoted weight loss in multiple studies.
Cumin appears to have antimicrobial properties that may reduce the risk of food-borne infections.Cumin’s traditional use as a seasoning may restrict the growth of infectious bacteria and fungi. When digested, cumin releases a component called megalomicin, which has antibiotic properties.
Narcotic dependence is a growing concern internationally.Opioid narcotics create addiction by hijacking the normal sense of craving and reward in the brain. This leads to continued or increased use of drugs.Studies in mice have shown that cumin components reduce addictive behavior and withdrawal symptoms.