Have you ever heard about cardamom? Often referred to as the “Queen of Spices,” cardamom is one of the most popular spices in India, which is packed with phytonutrients and is especially high in manganese.
Manganese is a trace mineral that helps the body form connective tissue, bones and sex hormones. It is also crucial for normal nerve and brain function and plays a role in carbohydrate metabolism, fat metabolism, calcium absorption and blood sugar regulation.
This spice is widely used as a digestive aid, natural breath freshener, lower blood pressure, and more.
Cardamom benefits
Cardamom is an ideal spice with many health benefits. The most popular health benefits are listed below.
1. Relieves bad breath
Cardamom benefits include the ability to relieve halitosis or bad breath. Simply chewing on the seeds can help to eliminate any bad odors coming from your mouth. Some chewing gums even include it as an ingredient for this very reason.
In a study conducted by the Department of Microbiology at Kurukshetra University in India, researchers discovered that cardamom extract has antimicrobial effects on oral bacteria. Chewing on cardamom seeds can help kill harmful bacteria in the mouth and eliminate bad breath.
2. Fights cavities
Not only can cardamom kill the bacteria that cause bad breath, but it might also help prevent cavity development on your teeth or even reserve cavities and tooth decay. The chewing of cardamom encourages saliva, which helps to cleanse the mouth and clean the teeth.
3. Lowers blood pressure
Cardamom benefits include the ability to naturally lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that cardamom was able to decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure in individuals who were newly diagnosed with primary stage 1 hypertension. Cardamom also increased the participants total antioxidant status by 90 percent after three months.
4. Treats cancer
Research has shown that cardamom benefits may include the ability to naturally treat cancer. In a 2012 animal study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, researchers found that oral administration of cardamom was able to significantly reduce the occurrence and number of tumors.
Thanks to its ability to inhibit, delay and reverse cancer formation, cardamom benefits include anti-cancer properties. Studies have also shown that cardamom can help prevent cancer by encouraging healthy immune responses in the body.
5. Helps manage diabetes
The high manganese content in this spice makes it an excellent choice for diabetics and anyone struggling with blood sugar issues. Studies have shown that people who have been diagnosed with diabetes have low blood levels of the trace mineral manganese.
Another study has shown that people with diabetes who have higher blood levels of manganese are more protected from LDL (bad) cholesterol, compared to those with lower levels of manganese.
6. Improves digestion
Cardamom has been traditionally used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine as a remedy for digestive issues. Cardamom benefits include the ability to relieve gastrointestinal disorders like flatulence and stomach cramps. It can also help prevent stomach ulcers caused by aspirin or other NSAID drugs.
7. Treats asthma
Cardamom can also provide relief for people struggling with breathing issues like asthma. One study showed that cardamom exhibits bronchodilatory effects. It helps to decrease resistance in the airway and increase airflow to the lungs, to ease breathing.
Cardamom vs. Coriander
Cardamom and coriander offer some similar health benefits. Cardamom comes from the seed of plants in the ginger family, while coriander comes from the seed of the cilantro plant. Both spices can lower high blood pressure, relieve digestive issues and help manage diabetes. They also offer different types of benefits. Cardamom can be used to fight bad breath, cavities, and asthma, while coriander serves as a natural remedy for UTI’s and high cholesterol levels.
