Cumin is not used as much as it should be. We are used to using salt, pepper, oregano, nutmeg, saffron, etc. but cumin is "the great forgotten" (it is more typical of Arab foods), despite its health benefits. The use of cumin can help us reduce blood sugar, bad breath and oral problems.
Something as simple as a spice can give us a multitude of benefits in our day to day, but we must know its nutritional properties, its benefits and other important aspects.
Nutritional properties
This plant has been used for centuries as a food flavoring. The main properties of cumin are its great contribution of vitamins and minerals.
To be more exact, every 100 grams of cumin, we are giving our body sodium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and potassium, in addition to vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B3.
All this helps our body to function better, which leads us to be healthier. Its essential oils help us relax the body's muscles and, in addition, it has cuminal, a property that favors appetite and is essential for patients with eating disorders.
For every 100 grams of cumin, we obtain the following nutritional values:
- Energy: 375 calories
- Carbohydrates: 44,24 grams
- Fiber: 10 grams
- Fat: 22 grams
However, you cannot eat 100 grams every day, in fact, it is not one of the most complete spices on the market, but it is very healthy.
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A somewhat unknown spice that does us quite good if we know how to introduce it into our diet, but always in small quantities, since it has some important contraindications.
Digestive System
Cumin, typical of Arab foods, has benefits for the digestive system. In the case of people with eating disorders, cumin helps to promote appetite by activating gastric juices. It also relieves heavy digestions after greasy meals, binge eating or the like; prevents the appearance of gases; reduces abdominal swelling; he is able to help us stop diarrhea; relieves gastrointestinal spasms and fights parasites lodged in the intestines.
A very complete spice that we can take in the form of tea or as an addition to meals to take advantage of all those virtues that it offers to our digestive system.
Prevents anemia
Cumin seeds are naturally rich in iron. One teaspoon of ground cumin contains 1,4 mg of iron, or 17,5% of the adult daily allowance. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies, affecting up to 20% of the world's population.
In particular, children need iron to support growth, and young women need iron to replace blood lost during menstruation. Few foods are as dense in iron as cumin. This makes it a good source of iron, even when used in small amounts as a seasoning.
suitable for diabetics
Type II diabetes is a serious health problem that more and more people suffer from, from young children to the elderly. The health of diabetic people is very sensitive, especially the cardiovascular system.
this simple herb is able to help us treat type II diabetes, as long as it is accompanied by an adequate diet, physical activity and the medication corresponding to our diagnosis.
Some trials and research support the efficacy of cumin in the fight against diabetes, as long as it is properly accompanied, as we have already indicated.
If we have diabetes and want to try cumin, we should first consult a specialized doctor or the doctor handling our case, so that our health is not endangered.
It helps you lose weight
Cumin has the potential to help you lose weight due to a unique active ingredient: thymoquinone, a naturally occurring chemical that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thymoquinone can attack free radicals in the body, helping the body cleanse itself of toxins. Cumin helps cells respond to insulin and glucose, which keeps blood sugar levels stable.
Over time, the effects of cumin can work in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise to decrease fat deposits and reduce inflammation in the body. When everything works together, you may notice that the symptoms of bloating, bloating, and fatigue decrease when you consume cumin.
Lower bad cholesterol
A cumin tea is not going to make our cholesterol magically lower the cholesterol level in our blood, but it does help when it comes to lower triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels (bad cholesterol) in our body.
The studies that corroborate this are based on tests where generous amounts of cumin were administered together with lime juice. The results were illuminating. To reduce cholesterol it is necessary to make a series of changes in our routine and in our diet, but it is interesting to know that cumin can help us in our goal.
It prevents illnesses
Cumin has always been associated with healing properties, but this is not exactly the case, although cumin oil together with rosemary oil greatly relieve injury pain and are widely used by physiotherapists.
What cumin really does is that by lowering blood sugar and bad cholesterol, the chances of suffering a cardiovascular accident are reduced. In addition, having antioxidant properties can prevent epilepsy by favoring the connection between neuroconnectors.
Cumin is very beneficial for our immune system, so we reduce infections and contagious diseases.
Lactation
Cumin is credited with a capacity that very few spices are credited with. In this case we are talking about lactating mothers or lactating mothers. Here, the cumin acts increasing milk production, which is known as the galactogenic effect.
This function is considered a traditional remedy for those mothers who are prone to milk shortages. Not only is it a natural remedy, but it is supported by numerous research studies, but as we always say, it is better to consult a doctor.
Contraindications
Who can not consume cumin? Well, the truth is that there are several contraindications for different population groups. On the one hand, people with hyperestrogenismNeither children nor allergy sufferers should sunbathe if we consume a high amount of cumin due to its photo-sensitizing effect.
Cumin oil should not be ingested by pregnant women, children, or patients with gastritis, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, neurological diseases, liver disease and the like.
Therefore, it is advisable not to take cumin if we are within those risk groups. In addition, the maximum amount of cumin that can be taken per day is 2 grams if we buy it in powder to make infusions or mix with yogurt and milk.
On the other hand, if we have bought a liquid extract, the maximum to consume per day would be a maximum of 50 drops. If we have opted for capsules, we can only take two a day as a maximum amount.
How to take or use cumin?
- Infusion with seeds. Put the water to heat. When it boils, remove it from the heat and add half a teaspoon of cumin seeds. Let it rest for about 5 minutes and drink it after eating.
- In the kitchen. To improve the flavor of dishes, you can use the seeds directly (in small quantities) or in powder form. If you want to boost the flavor even more, try toasting the seeds.
- Cumin essential oil. The essential oil is indicated for colds, flu and respiratory system problems. You can heat water in a pot, add a couple of drops of cumin essential oil and steam. It can also be applied directly to the skin in an infection, blow or wound.
- with compress. Make an infusion loaded with cumin and use the liquid to wet a cloth. Apply it to the infected or painful area.
- Poultice. To make a cumin and clay poultice, mix a tablespoon of white clay with the water from a cumin infusion until you get a creamy texture. Then, put it on the painful area and let it act for about 20 minutes.