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Cumin

Cumin

What you should know about Cumin
Cumin is a spice or herb, from the cuminum cyminum plant. Wildly grown in Asia, Africa and Europe, but widely used by people around the world. It is the second most popular spice after black pepper.

The humble cumin seed sprouts off the end of a weedy grass. Pungent and earthy, the savory base of cumin is surrounded by the lightest hints of citrus and pine, giving it a well-rounded pleasing flavor. This seed spice has been cultivated since ancient times, and it is best kept whole to preserve its flavor and then ground before use.

When toasted, cumin seed loses some of its bitter pungency, and the earthier notes are enhanced, resulting in a pleasing, well-balanced flavor.

Cumin adds flavor to dishes and is used in many Mexican, Indian, African, and Asian Cuisines. Intricate flavors develop nicely as cumin is cooked.

Asides from all these, Cumin is also a Herbal and Medicinal plant. Practiced around the world for years, for seizures, coughs, infections, pain, liver and heart problems, etc.

Read on to learn about the potential health benefits and risks associated with Cumin.

Health benefits associated with Cumin
1.) Stress
Cumin contains nutritive and laxative compound that works as an antioxidant to help fight stress and its symptoms.

2.) Memory loss

Cumin seeds help with memory, they help you retain and recall things faster. Compounds in cumin provide nutrients your brain and body needs.

3.) Weight Loss
Cumin decreases your insulin levels, makes your body feel full and makes you drink lots of water.

Adding a teaspoon of cumin seeds or powder into meals such as a sugar free yogurt could decrease your body weight, waist size and body fat.

4.) Diabetes
Cumin contains components that counter and regulate blood sugar levels, some of the long term effects of diabetes.
One way diabetes harms cells in the body is through Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs).

AGEs are created when sugars attach to proteins and disrupt their normal functions. AGEs are responsible for damage to eyes, kidney, nerves and small or dilated blood vessels in diabetes.

Routinely using cumin as a seasoning may help contain blood sugar levels in diabetes.

Studies show great improvement when cumin seeds and oils were used on diabetic patients.

Diabetic patients showed signs of insulin resistance and reduced inflammation. Other studies shows a reduction in blood sugar levels.

However, Allergy reactions were recorded in some.

5.)Bowel Movements

Cumin aids in digestion. Studies notes improvement in many symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, etc

Cumin also increases the release of bile from the liver. Bile helps digest fats and certain nutrient (that may be stuck) in your gut.

6. ) Cumin is a Rich source of Iron
1 teaspoon of cumin contains 1.4mg of Iron, or 17.5% of RDI for adults.

Iron deficiency is a common nutrient deficiency, particularly in Children and women. Children need Iron to grow and Women need Iron to replace blood lost during menstration.

7. ) Cholesterol
Over weight and obese people can gain a lot from cumin. When consumed regularly, cumin could lower LDL and triglyceride levels.

8.) Infections
Research has shown that cumin helps boost your Immune System. An immune system boosts means protection from cold and enables the body function properly. Which in turn helps fight certain types of bacterial and fungal infections.

9. ) Food Borne Illnesses
Many seasonings such as Cumin, appear to have antimicrobial properties that help reduce the risk associated with food borne infections.

Cumin components reduce the growth of food borne bacteria and certain kinds of infectious fungi.

When digested, cumin releases a component called Megalomicin. Megalomicin is an antibiotic.

Cumin's use as a seasoning may restrict the growth of infectious bacteria and fungi.

10.) Drug Addiction/ Dependence
Certain studies indicate that cumin components reduce addictive behaviors and withdrawal symptoms. However, such studies have only been done on rats, it is not yet known if they will have similar effects in humans.

11.)  Cumin contains plant compounds linked with potential health benefits, e.g Phenols, flavonoids, terpenes, and alkanoids.
All of which functions as antioxidants. Antioxidants are chemicals that reduce damage to your body, protects from forming free radicals.

Free radicals are lonely electrons. Electrons are usually in pairs and when they split up, they become unstable.

These 'split'  or  lone electrons steal other electron partners away, when this happens, its called "oxidation".

Oxidation of fatty acids in the arteries lead to clogged arteries, which in turn can lead to heart disease, with heart disease comes a whole lot of other problems. 

The Oxidation of DNA can also contribute to cancer.

Antioxidants in cumin give an electron to those lonely free "Split" radical electrons, making it more stable.

Free radicals are lone electrons that cause inflammation and DNA damage. Cumin contains antioxidants that keep, free radicals, in Check!

Risks associated with Cumin
Risks and warnings

Allergy reactions: If you experience any Allergy to cumin, cumin should be avoided and use discontinued.

People with diabetes, especially those taking medication together with Cumin supplements stand the risk of cumin changing their blood sugar levels.

Cumin could interact with products and medication, causing an increase in blood levels.

If you decide to try cumin supplements, let your doctor know what you're taking and use the supplements to complement, not replace, medical treatments.

Take Away
Cumin may be beneficial for a variety of health conditions, however the best supplement form and dosage is currently unknown.
So, for now, cumin is best enjoyed in meals/foods instead of as a supplement.

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