Cuminum Cyminum is a flowering plant, native from the east Mediterranean to India. Its seeds are used in many cuisines especially in India, Mexico and North Africa. Cumin is spice which is made from dried seeds of this plant. This spice has a peppery taste and gives your food a warm and nutty flavor. But despite it makes your food tasty, this spice helps in weight loss process.
A study published in the Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice journal included 88 overweight women and how cumin can help them to lose weight. The researchers divided the women in two groups. The women from both groups consumed low-caloric foods and were under a supervision of nutritionists. The first group consumed yogurt with three grams of cumin in it, two times a day and the other group consumed only yogurt without cumin.
After three months the tests showed that women who consumed yogurt with cumin have lost approximately 50% more pounds than the women who consumed only yogurt. The first group also reduced the body fat by 14.4% — almost three times more than the other group.
The women who consumed cumin also reduced their body mass and waist circumference, more than the women from the other group. It was proven that cumin reduces the blood lipid levels as well. Furthermore, the triglycerides were also reduced by 23 % while in the other group by 5% and the cholesterol level was reduced by 10% in the women who consumed cumin while in the other women it was only reduced by less than 1%.
The experts assume that cumin helps in the weight loss process because it accelerates the metabolism and it is able to reduce the cholesterol level due to the compounds it contains- glycoside saponins. These compounds prevent cholesterol absorption and accelerate cholesterol excretion.
This spice is really beneficial. It helps against digestion problems as it contains magnesium and sodium which are proven to promote digestion and help in relieving stomach aches. It is also used by people who suffer from insomnia, anemia, skin diseases and respiratory problems. Cumin is rich in vitamin C and iron which are important for healthy immune system and protects from infections as well.
Cumin can be used ground or as whole seeds. But the best way is to buy whole seeds and grind them at home. You can use cumin in:
- When cooking soups, rice, stews, chili, beans or lentils.
- Cumin can be consumed with sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, and cauliflower.
- Add the spice to salad dressings, marinades, and mayonnaise.
- Sprinkle it on chickpeas or roasted nuts.
- Add cumin when making meatloaf, meatballs or hamburgers.
- Add some into your scrambled eggs before cooking.
- Buy cumin seed tea, or prepare it by yourself. Simply boil the seeds and wait for 10 minutes.
It is also proven that cumin improves brain function and has antimicrobial properties. Now you know how beneficial the cumin is, so it is time to include it in your diet. Watch the video below for more ideas on how to use cumin when cooking:
Content created and supplied by: Boysun (via Opera News )
COMMENTS