Cardamom, referred to by some as the queen of spices, is intensely sweet in flavor and incredibly fragrant. It comes in the form of a small pod with seeds inside and belongs to the same family as ginger. Aside from adding layers of taste to your food, beverages and overall dining experience, cardamom also brings many powerful nutrients to the table (pun always intended), including fiber, essential minerals and cancer-fighting compounds. Here are 11 of our favorite health benefits:
Cardamom promotes heart health
Cardamom’s high antioxidant properties protect the heart against inflammation and promote its overall health. Cardamom also contains fiber, the nutrient that can help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Cardamom guards you against chronic diseases
Cardamom has a natural ability to decrease the level of inflammatory proteins in the body, and with that, detox and protect it from several health threats, including cancer.
Cardamom relieves digestive problems
Similar to its cousin, ginger, cardamom can be extremely helpful in helping to reduce tummy issues like indigestion, gas, bloating and even painful ulcers. It does so by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes. For this reason, many people drink cardamom tea after their biggest and/or most indulgent meals of the day.
Cardamom helps treat and fight off infections
Cardamom is loaded with a few incredible chemicals that are exceptionally effective in killing off different types of fungi, bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. It also fights against salmonella, staphylococcus and E. coli, the main participants in inducing food poison.
Cardamom helps maintain good oral hygiene
With its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, cardamom fights against harmful bacteria within the mouth and simultaneously protects the gums from inflammation. It also tastes superb, reduces bad breath and stimulates the salivary flow!
Cardamom improves liver health
The liver is a powerhouse organ. So, it’s important that it stays in tip-top shape to ensure that it’s capable of handling the many functions it’s tasked with. Cardamom can help in doing so, as it has been shown to reduce liver fat, lower liver stress, prevent liver enlargement and simply improve overall liver health.
Cardamom helps fight asthma
Cardamom can play a role in fighting off asthma symptoms such as wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. The spice makes breathing in general easier by enhancing blood circulation within the lungs and also warding off inflammation by soothing the mucus membranes.
Cardamom boosts sexual health
Cardamom is a proven aphrodisiac. That’s all thanks to a compound known as cineole. Just a small pinch can release nerve stimulants that ignite your passion!
Cardamom treats hiccups
Cardamom has muscle-relaxing properties, which can help to relieve pesky hiccups (honestly, is there anything more annoying?). This is because it’s anti-spasmodic, which means that it can also alleviate involuntary muscle spasms, like stomach and intestinal cramps.
Cardamom promotes glowing skin
Cardamom contains vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant and vital molecule for skin health. It helps to improve blood circulation throughout the body and also promotes the growth of collagen, both of which help to promote a youthful, glowing complexion.
Cardamom supports more restful sleep
Simply smelling the intoxicating aroma of cardamom has been shown to promote a more restful night of sleep. So, the next time you find yourself tossing and turning, skip the Instagram scroll and warm up a mug of cardamom tea to help you wind down instead.
As you can see, this valuable seed pod is worth incorporating into your daily diet. If you’re looking for a convenient and tasty way to do so, check out our Turmeric Latte Mix. They’re easy to make, easy to take on the go and can served hot or cold! Enjoy this article? Hop on over to read about the health benefits of cacao or the health benefits of turmeric!
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5557534/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20361714
http://www.discoveryjournals.org/medicalscience/current_issue/v23/n97/A23.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28681014