21.7.16

Health benefits of cumin seeds




The health benefits of cumin include its ability to aid in digestion, improve immunity and treat piles, insomnia, respiratory disorders, asthma, bronchitis, common cold, lactation, anemia, skin disorders, boils and cancer.Many of you might remember having hated those curries and soups which had roasted or fried cumin seeds in them when you were kids, because they looked like small black
insects. However, you probably liked the taste. So your mother might have removed these flavorful parts before she served you the food. That was cumin!Cumin, scientifically known as Cuminum
Cyminum, belongs to family Apiaceae and is extensively used in culinary practices of the Indian Subcontinent and some other Asian, African and Latin American countries as a condiment or spice. Those who are of the opinion that spices are bad for one’s health should note that cumin can be
beneficial for some of the most dangerous diseases, and is generally consider a boost for overall
health. Let’s explore just how it benefits your health in the section below.
The health benefits of cumin include the following:Improves digestion Cumin is extremely good for digestion and related problems. The very aroma of
cumin, which comes from an aromatic organic compound called Cuminaldehyde, the main component of its essential oil, activates our salivary glands in our mouth, which facilitates the primary digestion of food. Next is thymol, a compound present in cumin, which stimulates the glands that secrete acids, bile and enzymes responsible for complete digestion of the food in the stomach and the intestines. Cumin is also Carminative, which means that it relieves from you from gas troubles and thereby improves digestion and appetite. Due to its essential oils, magnesium and sodium content, cumin
Add a teaspoon of cumin seeds to a glass of water and bring it to a boil. Once the water turns brown, turn off the gas and cover the vessel. Allow the decoction to cool down to room temperature. Drink this tea three times a day to improve digestion and to help resolve minor stomach aches. If you want
the tea to be a little mild, you can add some cumin seeds to a glass of boiling hot water and cover it. Let it steep and then decant the water.promotes digestion and also gives relief for stomach-aches when taken with hot water.

constipation

Due to its high fibre content, jeera boosts the activity of the gastrointestinal tract which in turn stimulates enzyme secretion. This is why jeera powder is commonly used as a natural laxative. In fact, its laxative properties are so powerful that Ayurveda practitioners believe that it is capable of preventing and healing severe digestive disorders like piles.

Piles:

The main cause behind piles (hemorrhoids) is constipation added with infections in the wound
in the anal tract, which are also caused by constipation. Cumin, because of its dietary fiber content

  1. and carminative, stimulating, antifungal and antimicrobial properties, acts as a natural laxative in powdered form. These characteristics are due to the presence of essential oils comprised mainly of Cuminaldehyde and certain pyrazines. Adding cumin to your diet also helps in healing up of infections or wounds in the digestive and excretory system and speeds up digestion as well. That 
    pretty much means that cumin clears up all of the symptoms and causes of hemorrhoids, so keep that it mind when you start itching!
    *Cumin seeds have traditionally been noted to be of benefit to the digestive system, and scientific research is beginning to bear out cumin's age-old reputation. Research has shown that cumin may stimulate the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, compounds necessary for proper digestion and nutrient assimilation.

Iron for Energy and Immune Function

Cumin seeds, whose scientific name is Cuminum cyminum, are an excellent source of iron, a mineral that plays many vital roles in the body. Iron is an integral component of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen from the lungs to all body cells, and is also part of key enzyme systems for energy production and metabolism. Additionally, iron is instrumental in keeping your immune system healthy. Iron is particularly important for menstruating women, who lose iron each month during menses. Additionally, growing children and adolescents have increased needs for iron, as do women who are pregnant or lactating.


Anemia:

As stated above, cumin is very rich in iron (more than 66 mg. in every 100 grams) which is more than 5 times the daily requirement of iron for an adult. This iron is the main constituent of
hemoglobin in the red blood corpuscles of blood. It is hemoglobin which transfers oxygen (as the oxide of iron) to the body’s cells and whose deficiency causes anemia. So, cumin can be a nutritious additive to daily diet for anemic people and avoid the symptoms of anemia like fatigue, anxiety, cognitive malfunction, and digestive issues.

Insomnia:

This is a very peculiar property of cumin. It is a stimulant as well as a relaxant at the same time. This property cannot be attributed to a single component alone, just as causes of insomnia cannot be attributed to a single cause. However, studies show that the proper intake of vitamins (particularly B-complex) and good digestion help to induce a sound sleep. Cumin helps in both of these factors. Some of the components of cumin essential oil are hypnotic in nature and have tranquilizing effects, which also help to relieve stress and anxiety that commonly causes insomnia.


Common Cold:

The common cold is a viral infection which affects our body frequently when our immune system becomes weakened or vulnerable. Again, the essential oils present in cumin act as disinfectants and help fight viral infections which can cause the common cold. Cumin also suppresses the development of coughing in the respiratory system since it dries up the excess mucus. Cumin is rich in iron and has considerable amount of vitamin-C, which are essential for a healthy immune system and keeps infections from forming or becoming worse. Vitamin-C is also a natural antioxidant, so it defends against other infections and toxins as well, further boosting the immune system.Lactation: Cumin is rich in iron and thus very good for lactating mothers as well as for women who are undergoing menses or who are pregnant, since they are more in need of iron than others. Moreover, cumin is said to help ease and increase secretion of milk in lactating women due to the presence of thymol, which tends to increase secretions from our glands, including milk, which is a secretion from the mammary glands. Also, cumin is more beneficial if taken with honey. Cumin has
remarkable amount of calcium (more than 900 mg per 100 grams) which accounts for over 90% of our daily requirement of calcium. This calcium is an important constituent of milk and hence cumin is very good for lactating mothers.

Diabetes:

Although research is still ongoing, early studies report that cumin, among a number of other spices,
can have a powerful effect in preventing diabetes by reducing the chances of hypoglycemia. The animals that were tested showed a sharp decline in hypoglycemia when fed cumin seeds in their diet, and they also showed a decrease in glucosuria, which is a condition where the urine contains too much glucose, also resulting in hypoglycemia and diabetes. Human testing is ongoing, but early reports show that cumin can be a
very powerful tool in the battle against diabetes

Improves sexual health

Yes, it’s true. The humble seed can up your sexual quotient. Packed with zinc and potassium, jeera is an all-rounder when it comes to improving your performance in the bedroom. Zinc is important for sperm production and potassium maintains a healthy heart rate and blood pressure, This spice also helps deal with fertility issues and prevent conditions like ED erectile dysfunction premature ejaculation, low sperm count and low virility of your sperm.

Respiratory Disorders,

Asthma, Bronchitis: The presence of caffeine (the stimulating agent), and the richly aromatic essential oils (the disinfectants) make cumin an ideal anticongestive combination for those suffering from respiratory disorders such as asthma and
bronchitis. It acts as an expectorant, meaning that it
loosens up the accumulated phlegm and mucus in the respiratory tracts and makes it easier to eliminate them from the system via sneezing or coughing up and spitting. By eliminating as much of the mucus and phlegm as possible, it can inhibit the formation of additional material and help to heal the initial condition that led to its formation in the first place.

Great for pregnant mothers

As a seed, it acts as a wonder spice for mothers-to-be and new mothers. Its properties of relieving constipation and improving digestion greatly help pregnant women deal with pregnancy symptoms like nausea and constipation. Along with aiding in better delivery, this spice enhances lactation. Also, the high amount of iron and calcium content in the seed increases milk production without any side effects.

Lactation:

Cumin is rich in iron and thus very good for lactating mothers as well as for women who are undergoing menses or who are pregnant, since they are more in need of iron than others. Moreover, cumin is said to help ease and increase secretion of milk in lactating women due to the presence of thymol, which tends to increase secretions from our glands, including milk, which is a secretion from the mammary glands. Also, cumin is more
beneficial if taken with honey. Cumin has remarkable amount of calcium (more than 900 mg per 100 grams) which accounts for over 90% of our daily requirement of calcium. This calcium is an important constituent of milk and hence cumin is very good for lactating mothers.

Enhances memory

Packed with minerals like riboflavin, zeaxanthin, vitamin B6, niacin and many more, jeera is well known for its ability to maintain and restore memory and mental health. In Ayurveda, it is often used to treat patients suffering from amnesia. While home remedies are something we all rely on in our everyday life, it is essential that you go to a trained physician if your symptoms persist or get worse.
To sharpen your memory, chew on a few roasted seeds every day.

Combats cancer


Cumin seeds may also have anti-carcinogenic properties. In one study, cumin was shown to protect laboratory animals from developing stomach or liver tumors. This cancer-protective effect may be due to cumin's potent free radical scavenging abilities as well as the ability it has shown to enhance the liver's detoxification enzymes. Yet, since free radical scavenging and detoxification are important considerations for the general maintenance of wellness, cumin's contribution to wellness may be even more farther reaching.

According to the studies conducted by the Cancer Research Laboratory of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, jeera can help in the fight against cancer. This is because it contains an active compound, known as cuminaldehyde that helps in retarding the growth of tumours. However, this anti-cancer property was confined to kala jeera.Don’t forget to add a pinch of jeera to your dal as seasoning or sprinkle few seeds over a gravy to reap its benefits

. Regulates blood pressure and heart rate

Being high in potassium , a mineral that helps maintain the electrolyte balance in the body — this seed is an elixir for heart patients. This mineral not only helps in the regulation cell production but also helps maintain your blood pressure and heart rate. Because of its regulatory properties, jeera helps patients who have heart disease and helps prevent it as well.
You can drink a glass of jeera water early in the morning (on an empty stomach) to control your blood pressure levels.



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