Research has found that cumin can help overweight people lose as much weight as those who took weight loss medications. In addition, cumin provided added benefits to insulin levels. If you need to drop some extra pounds, cumin may help naturally.
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an aromatic herb that belongs to the Apiaceous family, along with carrots, celery, and parsley. The fruit is the cumin seed, which is often ground and used as a spice in Indian, Middle Eastern, Chinese and Mediterranean cuisines. It’s also a key ingredient in the Indian spice garam masala.
Cumin has a warm, earthy spiciness and is used in curries and chilis. The seeds contain zinc, potassium, manganese, essential amino acids, and proteins, along with medicinal properties such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects.
Cumin has been used to treat digestive and nervous system disorders along with skin diseases, but one of its most promising applications relates to weight loss. In fact, this spice may work just as well as weight loss drugs.
Cumin is more effective than weight loss drug
In a study of 78 overweight people between the ages of 18 and 60, participants received one of three treatments: cumin capsules, placebo, or orlistat (brand names Alli and Xenical) three times a day for eight weeks.
Compared with the placebo, both cumin and orlistat resulted in similar significant decreases in weight and body mass index (BMI), but the cumin also led to a significant reduction in insulin levels that wasn’t seen with the weight loss drug or placebo.
In another study, 88 overweight or obese women ate yogurt with or without 3 grams of cumin powder added during two meals for three months. All of the women also received nutritional counseling for weight loss, but only those in the cumin group experienced weight loss and related benefits. Consuming cumin powder with yogurt resulted in:
- Reductions in cholesterol and triglycerides
- Reductions in LDL cholesterol and increases in HDL cholesterol
- Significantly reduced weight, BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass
Other research looked at the effects of different doses of cumin along with lime capsules in overweight participants. Those taking a high dose of cumin (75 milligrams) with lime for eight weeks experienced weight loss and improvements in BMI, blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity, triglycerides, and cholesterol balance.
How cumin helps with weight loss
Researchers believe that cumin helps with weight loss through multiple pathways, including its anti-inflammatory effects because inflammation is linked to weight gain and obesity. It may also help to boost metabolism. Its use as a medicinal remedy dates back thousands of years.
Cumin is different than nigella sativa, which is called black cumin. Be sure not to confuse the two.
Cumin offers a number of other health-promoting properties in addition to weight loss. In fact, cumin may benefit at least 46 diseases and has an impressive 20 pharmacological actions, such as being antifungal, gastroprotective, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective.
In addition to offering benefits for diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer, cumin helps to protect your body from the effects of stress and may even enhance memory.
Using cumin for weight loss
If you’re interested in using cumin as a weight loss tool, supplements are widely available, but you can add this popular spice to your regular meals. Cumin’s distinctive flavor works well with a variety of meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes, making it a common staple in kitchens around the world.
For a quick cumin fix, add it to plain yogurt or hummus to make a healthy sauce, dip or dressing for veggies or salad. Or you can try jeera water. Jeera water is simple to make and may support weight loss when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise.
To make it, add cumin seeds (one to two teaspoons) to about four cups of water. Bring the water to a boil for 20 minutes in order to steep. The seeds can then be strained out of the water and the resulting tea is sipped as a healthy beverage.