5 Proven Cardamom Health Benefits Backed By Research
Cardamom, also known as cardamon or watercress, is a spice that has long been used in gastronomy and medicine. Although its regions of origin are in the Middle East, cardamom has become a very popular spice in the West.
Cardamom comes from the seeds of different plants that belong to the same category as ginger.
It has a distinctive flavor that makes it a perfect complement to both sweet and savory dishes and is even used in tea and coffee.
It is one of the best dietary supplements since it contains phytochemicals that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
The forms that one finds cardamom in the market are in
Cardamom health benefits
Cardamom, this famous spice renowned for its health benefits, has often been the subject of several studies, since it includes some vert important health benefits.
1. Liver health
In the Ayurvedic diet, people used cardamom for its detoxifying properties. Although there are not enough studies to prove this, however, cardamom seems to have positive effects on the liver, which plays a key role in eliminating toxins from the body.
In a study involving people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, who were overweight or obese, and who took cardamom supplements, improvements in liver function indicators were observed. [1]
2. Heart health
Some animal research has linked cardamom to improved heart health, however newer and larger human studies are needed to confirm the aforementioned research. [2]
In another study on rats, researchers found that cardamom oil improved their cholesterol levels. The researchers administered a diet high in cholesterol for 8 weeks and the rats given the cardamom extract had seen a significant reduction in cholesterol and triglyceride levels by the end of the study. [3]
3. Antimicrobial properties
The oil from the cardamom fruit can kill bacteria and fungi. In particular, research has shown that cardamom essential oil is effectively able to kill many types of bacteria by destroying their cell membrane. [4]
4. Metabolic syndrome and diabetes
Some research has shown that cardamom could help with some aspects of metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is characterized by high blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, sugar and increased body weight and is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
An animal study, in which researchers had given rats a diet high in carbohydrates and fat, showed that the rodents that consumed pre-ground cardamom powder had lower weight and better cholesterol values than those that did not. [5]
In another study, researchers gave 83 people with type 2 diabetes either green cardamom or a placebo. Those who received the watercress saw many health benefits, including improved hemoglobin A1c and insulin levels, after 10 weeks. [6]
5. Oral health
Cardamom helps to balance the pH in the mouth. For centuries, people have used it to provide notes of freshness to their breath and also to treat oral bacteria, a common cause of bad breath, tooth decay and gingivitis. [7]
Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it ideal in breaking down the bacteria that cause gingivitis.
Bottom Line
What other cardamom health benefits that are backed by research do you know? Leave your insights below. Also, if you have any questions about Cardamom, feel free to ask them below. We guarantee an answer in less than 24 hours.
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