Cumin, with the scientific name Cuminum Cyminum, belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is used as a spice in Indian cuisine and in Asian, African or Latin American countries. Cumin contains an important number of nutrients that help you maintain your health. Due to its strong smell, it is enough to use a very small amount of cumin essential oil for a significant effect. Cumin essential oil also has antibacterial, carminative, digestive, diuretic and antiseptic properties, among many other benefits.


The nutritional value of cumin
Cumin is a good source of energy, vitamins such as A, C, E and B6, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and minerals such as iron, manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. Cumin is also rich in amino acids, carbohydrates, dietary fiber and a sufficiently large amount of fats and fatty acids. Consuming a single teaspoon of cumin per day covers the daily requirement of these nutrients.


The benefits of cumin for health
Cumin is known for its benefits, more than its taste and smell, because it is known to help lose weight, improve digestion and immunity, treat skin problems, boils, hemorrhoids, insomnia and respiratory problems. Here are the most well-known benefits, in more detail:


Digestion: Cumin is very good for digestion and other digestive problems. The very taste of cumin, which comes from an organic compound called cuminaldehyde, the main component of its essential oil, activates the salivary glands in the mouth, responsible for the first phase of food digestion. Next is thymol, a compound present in cumin, which stimulates the glands to secrete acids, bile and enzymes responsible for the complete digestion of food in the stomach and intestines. Cumin is also carminative, which means that it relieves problems caused by gas accumulation and improves digestion and appetite. Thanks to its essential oils, magnesium and sodium content, cumin helps digestion and eliminates stomach pains if drunk with hot water.


Hemorrhoids: The main cause of hemorrhoids is constipation, combined with infections from the wounds of the anal tract, also caused by constipation. Cumin, due to its content rich in dietary fiber and its carminative, stimulant, antifungal and antimicrobial properties, acts as a natural laxative in powder form. These characteristics are due to the presence of essential oils composed mainly of cuminaldehyde and certain pyrazines. Cumin added to food also helps to heal infections or wounds in the excretory and digestive system and accelerates digestion. This means that it eliminates the symptoms and causes of hemorrhoids, something to remember the next time you feel the specific itching.


Diabetes: Although studies are still ongoing, preliminary reports show that, like many other spices, cumin prevents diabetes by reducing the chances of hypoglycemia. The tested animals showed a drastic decrease in hypoglycemia when caraway seeds were introduced into their diet and also showed a decrease in glycosuria, a condition in which the urine contains too much glucose, which leads to hypoglycemia and diabetes. . Human trials are ongoing, but preliminary reports show that taking cumin may be a powerful tool against diabetes.


Insomnia: This is a specific property of cumin. Cumin is stimulating and relaxing at the same time. This property cannot be attributed to a single component, just as insomnia cannot be attributed to a single cause. However, studies show that an adequate intake of vitamins (especially the B-complex) and good digestion induce restful sleep. Some components of cumin essential oil are hypnotic in nature and have tranquilizing effects, which contribute to the relief of stress and anxiety, which causes insomnia in particular.


Respiratory disorders, asthma, bronchitis: The presence of caffeine (stimulant agent) and aromatic essential oils (disinfectants) are an ideal anti-congestive combination for those who suffer from respiratory disorders such as asthma and bronchitis. Cumin acts as an expectorant, that is, it has the effect of diluting accumulated phlegm and mucus from the respiratory tract and removes it more easily from the system through sneezing or coughing and spitting. By eliminating mucus and phlegm, the formation of additional mucus is also inhibited and the problem that led to their formation from the very beginning is cured.


Common colds: A common cold is a viral infection that affects the body frequently when our immune system weakens and becomes vulnerable. Again, cumin essential oils act as disinfectants and help fight viral infections that cause common colds. Cumin also suppresses your development you are in the respiratory system because it dries the mucus. Cumin is rich in iron and has a considerable amount of vitamin C, which is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system and preventing infections from occurring or worsening.


Lactation: Cumin is rich in iron and, therefore, it is good for nursing mothers, as well as for menstruating or pregnant women, because they need more iron. Moreover, cumin is said to help the secretion of milk due to the presence of thymol, which tends to increase the secretion of the glands, including the mammary glands. Cumin has a remarkable amount of calcium (over 900 mg per 100 grams), meaning over 90% of the daily calcium requirement. This calcium is an important constitutive element of milk, therefore cumin is very good for nursing mothers.


Anemia: As previously mentioned, cumin is rich in iron (over 66 mg per 100 grams), that is, more than 5 times the daily iron requirement for an adult. Iron is the main constituent of hemoglobin in red blood corpuscles. Hemoglobin is the one that transfers oxygen (as iron oxide) to the cells of the body and its lack leads to anemia. Thus, cumin is a very nutritious addition to the daily diet of anemics and eliminates the symptoms of anemia, which include fatigue, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction and digestive problems.


Concentration and cognitive dysfunction: The amount of iron in cumin leaves leads to an increased production of hemoglobin and therefore to the prevention of anemia, but the increased blood flow has other benefits. When the circulation is good, oxygen can reach the organs and the brain, leading to an optimal performance of the body's systems. An adequate amount of oxygen and iron to the brain leads to cognitive performance and the reduction of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia.


Skin disorders: Almost everyone knows that vitamin E is good for the skin and for preventing the symptoms of premature aging. Vitamin E keeps the skin young and glowing and is found in abundance in cumin. The essential oils present in cumin have disinfectant and antifungal properties. This prevents any microbial and fungal infection from affecting the skin. Not all skin disorders are imbalances or infections, some are simple signs of aging. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant in this regard and fights free radicals that attack the skin and lead to the appearance of premature signs of aging such as wrinkles, spots and sagging skin. Vitamin E, in combination with the antibacterial capacity of cumin, gives the skin a beautiful and healthy appearance until old age.


Boils: Boils are like the body's exhaust pipes for toxic substances and foreign bodies like microbes. This means that there are symptoms that show that a large amount of toxic substances has accumulated in the body. Those who regularly use cumin in their food show a significant reduction in boils, irritations, pimples and other signs of excessive toxin content. Components such as cuminaldehyde, thymol and phosphorus are very good detoxification agents that help to regularly eliminate toxins from the body. The healthy way for toxins to be eliminated from the body is excretory, not through boils.


Immunity: As previously mentioned, an abundance of iron, the presence of essential oils, vitamin C and vitamin A in cumin stimulate the immune system in several ways. Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants that we have in the body and stimulates the function and activity of white blood cells. As an antioxidant, vitamin C combats the negative effects of free radicals, these byproducts of cellular metabolism. Free radicals are constantly produced in the body, therefore they must be eliminated at the same rate. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals that favor the occurrence of several diseases, including but not limited to cardiovascular diseases and cancer.


Cancer: Cumin has detoxifying and chemo preventive properties and accelerates the secretion of detoxifying and anticarcinogenic enzymes from the glands, as it does in the case of other secretions. Moreover, it has beneficial antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin A, in addition to essential oils. In addition to many other benefits, antioxidants also have anticarcinogenic properties and those present in cumin are especially effective in preventing colon cancer.


Other benefits: As if that were not enough, there are other benefits of cumin: it treats renal colic, poor memory and insect bites. With all these advantages, how can you say no to this spice?