New Delhi:Although the small cumin seed looks rather unassuming, its nutty peppery flavour packs a punch when it comes to playing an important role in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine.Jeera or cumin seeds – the quintessential Indian spice is an exotic addition to several dishes; be it dal or a normal Indian vegetable.
But, it is probably not just for taste alone that cumin has made it into the stellar ranks of Indian, Middle Eastern and Mexican cooking. Originally, we added this spice to our dish, not only for its wonderful flavour and aroma but also for numerous path-breaking health benefits.
Cumin (Cuminumcyminum L) is a leafy plant that grows low to the ground in China, India, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean region. The fruit of the plant is called the cumin seed, and it’s popular all over the world as a spice.A typical cumin seed has a striped pattern of nine ridges and oil canals. It is brownish in colour and oblong shaped.
Cumin has become the subject of medical research, as anecdotal evidence claims it has all kinds of health benefits.
Medical studies around cumin:
It may surprise you but a pinch of this ordinary looking seed is anything but ordinary when it comes to health benefits and who knew they could have more benefits than one.
Some research shows that it may stimulate the production of pancreatic enzymes and help digestion. One study found that cumin was protective against memory loss and the damaging effects of stress on the body.
Another study evaluated its antioxidant content of and found it more effective than other common antioxidants including Vitamin C. Due to its high antioxidant content, some lab research has even found that it might have a role in fighting cancer.
Yet another study found Cumin effective in increasing insulin sensitivity, thus beneficial for diabetics. Still more research found anti-asthmatic properties in Cumin since it works as a bronchodilator and can help asthmatic patients.
Nutrition rich Cumin:
Speaking of this aspect, Cumin is a good source of energy; it is rich in Vitamin A, C, E, B6, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin and minerals like iron, manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous & potassium etc.
It is also rich in protein and amino acids, carbohydrates, dietary fibre and a reasonable amount of fats & fatty acids. Consuming aboutone teaspoon of cumin daily can help you meet your daily nutrientrequirements.
Cumin seeds are generally available in three colours- amber, white and black. The amber seeds are the most common. The black ones have a complex flavor and cannot be substituted for the other two.
This aromatic spice is renowned for its medicinal value and health benefits. Hence, it can be beneficial not only for your health, but for your skin and hair as well.
Health Benefits:
As there has been a 30-40 per cent increase in cases of seasonal fevers in the last three to four weeks, the main reason for the spurt in such cases is the fluctuating and humid weather conditions accompanied by intermittent rains. The unhygienic weather conditions, garbage and mosquitoes are also adding to the problem and we have to protect us from getting infected.
For this, we need to have cumin seeds in diet as compulsion because Cumin seeds is believed to have antiseptic properties and thus it aid in curing fever and common colds. It doesn't let cough to form and collect in the respiratory system. Since it is supposed to be hot, it dries up all the mucous.
Also, it would be beneficial to sip on a concoction of cumin seeds and water as drinking this water wards off common colds and keeps the digestive system on track. Many South-Indian households drink only 'jeera-pani' instead of sipping on plain boiled water.
Other health benefits are:
Cumin is helpful in treating colon and breast cancer. The seeds contain thymoquinone, dithymoquinone, thymohydroquinone and thymol which are anti-carcinogenic agents.
It helps to lower blood sugar levels, thus helps in maintaining proper blood content levels in the body and is a great boon for people suffering from Diabetes
It is a rich source of iron and hence very beneficial for anaemic as well as lactating mothers and pregnant women, who tend to need iron more than others.
It is a great aid in digestion and prevents indigestion, flatulence, diarrhoea, nausea and morning sickness. Also, it helps in making the body’s immunity better in combating diseases.
Cumin seeds contain Thymoquinone, which reduces inflammatory processes and other mediators that cause asthma.
For immediate relief from acidity, chew a pinch-full of raw cumin seeds.
According to experts, cumin acts as an antioxidant and increases metabolism rate which helps to reduce abdominal fat. Fat is the main reason behind obesity and cumin helps in cutting fat.
Skin benefits:
Regular usage of cumin in your food and applying vinegar with ground cumin seeds helps in keeping your skin free from boils, rashes, pimples etc. This is because it has components such as Cuminaldehyde, Thymol and phosphorus which are good detoxifying agents.
To cure body heat and skin itchiness, you can put some cumin seeds in boiled water and once it is cooled, take a bath with that water. Also, drinking cumin water can relieve the burning sensation of the palms and the soles.
Cumin has a high content of vitamin E which keeps your skin healthy and glowing. Besides, the essential oils, cumin have disinfectant and anti-fungal properties which protect your skin from fungal and microbial infections. A dash of ground cumin powder can also be added to your face pack to treat skin issues.
Vitamin E present in cumin triggers the anti-ageing processes within the body, thus preventing pre mature ageing symptoms. It acts as an antioxidant to combat the free radicals that attack the skin and cause signs of ageing like wrinkles, age spots and sagging skin.
Hair Benefits:
Black cumin contains more than 100 nutrients and vitamins to replenish your hair, thus by applying a mixture of equal quantities of black cumin oil and olive oil; on hairs can surely promote hair growth as well as treat hair loss.
For long and shiny hair; massage with a mixture of 1.5 tablespoons of black cumin seeds in ¾ cup of waterand a raw egg yolk, every week on your scalp.
Oil extract from cumin is a great stimulant, carminative, antioxidant and diuretic. It is often used for massage in aromatherapy and scalp treatments to get rid of dandruff.
So, these are the benefits of Cumin, from which some are demonstrated with clinical studies, while some remain hard to prove.
Cumin is considered to be highly safe and generally nontoxic, even in larger doses but there are some side effects to be aware of if you would like to use it. The typical dose of cumin as an herbal supplement is 300 to 600 milligrams per day.
Researchers have found evidence that cumin suppresses testosterone levels, which means it, could make men less fertile if they’re taking it. Cumin has been used by some cultures as a substance to trigger miscarriage, so women that are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should keep that in mind.
References:
wellnessmama.com
www.stylecraze.com
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
www.organicfacts.net