Cumin
Cumin is a versatile and popular spice that offers an impressive range of health benefits. It has a warm, earthy flavour and can be used in curries, chillis, barbecue sauces and other dishes.
Cumin seeds come from the Cuminum cyminum plant, part of the Apiaceae family of mostly aromatic flowering plants which includes celery, parsley and carrot. It has been used to flavour foods for thousands of years – archaeologists discovered wild cumin seeds in the submerged settlement of Atlit-Yam, off the coast of Israel, dating back 8,000 years. Cumin was also used in ancient Syria, Egypt and Greece, where it was used at the dining table in the same way we use pepper today – a practice that continues in Morocco. India is the world’s largest producer, accounting for 70 per cent of the world’s production.
Improves Digestion
Cumin has traditionally been used to aid digestion, which it does so by stimulating the activity of digestive enzymes to improve nutrient absorption and help reduce bloating, gas and indigestion. It also increases the release of bile from the liver, which helps digest some fats and may ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Rich in iron
Iron is an important mineral needed for many bodily functions, including the transport of oxygen around the body. Women aged 19 to 50 need 14.8 milligrams of iron a day while men (and women over 50) need 8.7 milligrams. One single teaspoon of ground cumin contains 1.4 mg of iron, making it a simple way to boost your iron intake.
Packed with antioxidants
Cumin is rich in flavonoids that work as antioxidants to lower the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, by neutralising harmful free radicals that damage cells.
Supports blood sugar control
Some studies suggest cumin may help improve blood sugar regulation, which could benefit those with diabetes. More studies are needed to work out how this works.
Weight Loss
Early research suggests that cumin may help promote weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and exercise, although more studies are required to determine how much you need.
Antibacterial
Cumin has some antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, which may be why it was used in ancient Egypt to preserve mummies! Laboratory experiments show cumin can protect against bacteria that spoil food, harmful fungi and even antibiotic resistant microorganisms such as MRSA, but it’s not clear if these effects also work in the body.
Anti-inflammatory
Cumin contains compounds that may reduce inflammation, potentially reducing symptoms of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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