Putting up a fight with that weight loss plateau? Strike a lethal blow on this troublesome issue with cumin. According to a new study conducted on this spice, cumin has the potential to help you shed those excess flab and that too in a really tasty manner. Wondering how? Just read on!
Cumin is a grayish brown spice that is one of the ruling roosts of the spice racks in Indian kitchens. It is used in generous amounts in cooking to render a delicate aroma and a fabulous taste to the dishes. These seeds are also well-known for their digestion boosting properties and has been used an effective tool against bloating and constipation.
It is also touted as a powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent, making it a grandma’s remedy to ease painful menstruation. Cumin seed water is also used to ease cough and cold and bring down fever too.
The Research
The use of cumin for weight loss has gained importance off-late. A study was conducted by the Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences on 88 obese women who were split into two groups. The groups were given dietary advices and were put on an calorie intake that was 500 calories than their usual regimen. One group was also put on 3 grams of cumin powder. The cumin powder was mixed with 5 oz yogurt and given to this group. The other group was given the same amount of yogurt, sans cumin seed powder.
At the end of 3 months, the results were really astonishing. While the women who were not put on cumin lost 13 pounds in total, the women in the cumin group had lost 16 pounds totally. Even better, the cumin group demonstrated a body fat loss percentage of 14.64% as against the 4.91% recorded by the non-cumin group.
A member of the parsley family, cumin seeds are known to be beneficial in lowering the levels of cholesterol. It also helps in bringing down the soaring sugar levels under control. Cumin seeds are also known to improve the rates of metabolism. Studies also suggest that this spice has a positive impact on negating the ill-effects of advanced glycation end products. Advanced glycation end products are those toxins you normally find in the foods that are cooked on high levels of heat. These toxins induced unwanted and undesirable oxidative stress in the body. The higher the levels of oxidative stress is, the higher the rates of cells damages are. This, in turn, slows down your metabolism and paves way for being overweight or obese.
How To Use Cumin For Weight Loss?
So, how can you add cumin in your diet to reap its weight loss benefits? Here are a couple of interesting ideas you can try. You can sprinkle freshly ground cumin powder atop your favorite roasted veggies such as sweet potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, and pumpkins. Prepare a spice mix by roasting equal quantities of cumin seeds, dried red chilies, garlic, and black pepper. Ground the roasted spices and store it to be used as a seasoning later.
A Tasty Drink For Weight Loss
Just boil 1 cup of water with 1 inch grated ginger for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture and mix in 1 tsp each of cumin seeds powder and lemon juice and 1 tbsp honey. Use this drink as an alternative to your coffee or tea. It boost your digestion and metabolism, thus ensuring that your weight loss journey is a successful one.
Have you tried cumin for weight loss before? If not, start including this spice right away in your diet to reap its benefits.