Evidence-Based Benefits Of Cardamom
The health benefits of cardamom include gastrointestinal protection, cholesterol control, anti-cancer properties, relief from cardiovascular issues, and improvement of blood circulation in the body. It is useful for curing digestive problems, dental diseases, and urinary tract infections such as cystitis, nephritis, and gonorrhea. Cardamom possesses aphrodisiac properties and is also used as a cure for impotence, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation.
What is Cardamom?
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a spice found in the form of a small pod with black seeds inside. The spice has an intensely sweet and savory taste. Both the seeds and the pod have a rich aroma and are often used in desserts, hot and spicy dishes, as well as aromatic beverages, coffees, and teas. It is regarded as the queen of spices and is one of the most expensive spices, ranking third, the first and second being saffron and vanilla, respectively.
The cultivation of cardamom originated in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. In India, cardamom was traditionally considered as a therapeutic herb and was one of those applied in Ayurveda (the ancient Indian science of medicine and lifestyle). It is also used in traditional Chinese medicine. It was believed to be a remedy for constipation, colic, diarrhea, dyspepsia, vomiting, headache, hypertension (high blood pressure), epilepsy, and cardiovascular diseases, including poor circulation.
Health Benefits of Cardamom
Cardamom has been promoted in traditional medicine and suggested in medical research to have several powerful health benefits. The most popular are listed below.
Anticancer Potential
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death around the world. The rising cost of conventional cancer therapy and the subsequent side effects have encouraged researchers to look for alternatives that are sustainable. The anticancer potential has long been attributed to cardamom and its active components and corroborated by laboratory and animal research. According to a 2013 research paper published in the EXCLI Journal, a combination of cardamom and cinnamon was found to be helpful in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer by 48%, in large part by enhancing antioxidant activity in the body.
Blood Sugar Balance
Laboratory studies have found cardamom to contribute to anti-diabetic effects and regulation of glucose and insulin metabolism. These findings followed earlier research that identified compounds in cardamom that may promote healthy glucose and insulin metabolism.
According to a 2017 research, cardamom could improve “inflammation and oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic, overweight, and obese pre‐diabetic women”.
Mind and Relaxation
Cardamom is believed to possess anti-depressant properties. Its essential oil is one of the major oils used in anti-stress aromatherapy and has been suggested in human research to be an effective choice for handling stressful conditions. Also, a 2016 research published by a team of Iranian scientists has found cardamom extract to lessen PTSD-like anxiety symptoms in test animals. One study published in the Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences found that when cardamom was consumed by mice during pregnancy, their offsprings showed enhanced learning, memory, and behavior. However, more research is required to ascertain the benefits of cardamom on other kinds of behavior.
Gastrointestinal Health
Cardamom has been traditionally used in Ayurveda, Chinese medicine and the Unani system as a remedy for digestive problems. The methanolic extract from cardamom is the component that helps in controlling gastrointestinal discomforts such as acidity, flatulence, and stomach cramps. In an effort to provide scientific backing to traditional use, a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology concluded that the extracted volatile oils from a certain type of cardamom may have a positive influence on gastrointestinal disorders. A similar benefit was observed from another type of cardamom. Cardamom is also found to have potential against Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium linked to stomach ulcers, says a study published in the Phytotherapy Research.
Antimicrobial Properties
In contrast to ancient herbal treatments against harmful bacteria, modern “conventional” antibiotics have been found to produce side effects such as inhibition of important friendly probiotic bacteria living in the intestines. While spices such as cardamom may not be as consistently powerful, they inhibit only infectious microbes, not beneficial probiotics.