Jeera, scientifically known as Cuminum cyminum L., belongs to the Apiaceae family and has a long history of cultivation and usage in various regions around the world, including the Mediterranean, Turkistan, Egypt, India, and Turkey.
Cumin is a versatile plant that is widely used for culinary as well as medicinal purposes. As a popular spice, cumin adds a unique and distinctive flavour to a variety of food preparations, such as cheese, pickles, soup, and bean dishes.
Cumin is the second most widely used spice globally after black pepper. Additionally, cumin has been used in traditional medicine to treat various disorders and diseases, such as toothaches, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, epilepsy, and jaundice. These health benefits of cumin have been attributed to the plant’s active constituents, such as terpenes, phenols, and flavonoids, which possess potent medicinal properties.
The benefit of drinking Jeera water at night is that it keeps the body hydrated, especially during the hot summer when dehydration can be a concern. Drinking Jeera water for weight loss can be beneficial as it is low in calories and boosts metabolism which helps in weight loss.
To get complete information on the benefits of Jeera water, you can use a search engine and type benefits of Jeera water, Jeera water for weight loss, Jeera benefits, Cumin water benefits, Jeera water uses, or the benefit of drinking Jeera water at night in the search box.
Ethnomedical benefits of Jeera water
Cumin seeds have been traditionally used in many Maghreb countries, such as Tunisia, to treat gastrointestinal problems as it is believed to have carminative, stomachic, anthelmintic, and antispasmodic properties.
In addition, it has been used externally as a poultice for acute infectious inflammations, like neck mumps, and to reduce the frequency of upbeats caused by scorpion and bee stings.
In Indian herbal medicine, cumin has been prescribed for insomnia, colds, and fever. Ancient Iranian medicine used cumin for toothaches and epilepsy treatment.
Cumin has been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for treating dyspepsia, diarrhoea, and jaundice. Recent studies show that cumin seeds aid digestion; have antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and diuretic properties; and relieve colic, diarrhoea, and flatulence. It also increases lactation. Cumin can also be applied as a poultice to relieve swelling of the breast or testicles and reduce nausea during pregnancy.
Health Benefits of Jeera water
1. Antibacterial properties
One of the Jeera benefits is its antibacterial properties that make it useful in fights against a bacterial infection. Studies have shown that cumin water, which is made by boiling cumin seeds in water, has potent antibacterial activity against a range of bacteria, including Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The antibacterial activity of cumin water is attributed to the presence of bioactive compounds, such as cumin aldehyde and thymol, which have been shown to possess antimicrobial properties.
In a study conducted by Wanner et al. in 2010, the antimicrobial properties of cumin samples collected from various regions were tested. The study found that the oil extracted from the samples exhibited strong antibacterial activity against all the tested bacteria, except strains belonging to the Pseudomonas spp.
2. Antifungal properties
Cumin has been found to possess antifungal properties that make it useful for fighting fungal infections. Cumin water has been shown to have antifungal activity against various fungi, including Candida albicans, Aspergillus Niger, and Fusarium oxysporum.
The antifungal activity of cumin water is believed to be due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as cumin aldehyde and thymol. These compounds have been shown to possess strong antifungal properties, which can inhibit the growth and development of a variety of fungi.
According to a study conducted by Mohammadpour et al., cumin oil, which is high in a-pinene (29.2%), has been found to exhibit strong inhibitory effects on the growth of Aspergillus strains from various species. The study showed that cumin oil has the potential to effectively inhibit fungal growth, making it a promising natural alternative to conventional antifungal agents.
3. Antiviral properties
Cumin water benefits can be achieved by soaking cumin seeds in water, which is a traditional remedy that has been used for various health benefits, including its potential antiviral properties. While there is limited scientific research on the antiviral effects of jeera water specifically, some studies have suggested that cumin extracts may exhibit antiviral activity against certain viruses, including herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV).
However, it is important to note that the available evidence is limited and further research is needed to determine the potential antiviral activity of jeera water and its underlying mechanisms.
4. Hypoglycemic (anti-diabetic) properties
One of the cumin water benefits is that it contains compounds such as cumin aldehyde and thymoquinone, which may help regulate blood glucose levels by increasing insulin sensitivity.
Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for diabetes, and jeera water has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the body. Jeera water contains antioxidants such as vitamin C and flavonoids, which may help protect against oxidative stress and reduce the risk of complications associated with diabetes.
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for managing diabetes, and jeera water may help with weight loss by increasing metabolism and reducing appetite.
While these benefits are promising, it’s important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the effects of jeera water on diabetes.
Research has shown that feeding diabetic rats with an aqueous extract of cumin for six weeks resulted in a significant decrease in blood glucose levels and glycosylated haemoglobin and prevented the loss of body weight. Moreover, the treatment caused a reduction in the levels of cholesterol, phospholipids, free fatty acids, and triglycerides in the plasma and tissues of the rats used in the study.
A study conducted by Roman-Ramos et al. investigated the antihyperglycemic effects of cumin in 27 healthy rabbits. The rabbits were given jeera water, a hypoglycemic medication called tolbutamide, and traditional preparations of 12 edible plants after the administration of a dextrose solution. The findings indicated that cumin led to a significant reduction in blood glucose levels.
Although the results of these studies are promising, human trials haven’t been conducted yet.
5. Anti-cancer properties
One of the Jeera water uses is that it may have anti-cancer properties. Some studies have shown that cumin extracts may inhibit the growth of various cancer cells in vitro, including breast, colon, liver, and stomach cancer cells.
Additionally, cumin contains compounds such as thymoquinone and cumin aldehyde, which have been found to have anti-cancer effects in animal and cell studies. However, more research is needed to determine the potential benefits of jeera water in cancer prevention or treatment.
A recent study conducted by Daneshmandi et al. showed that the essential oil of Jeera (Cumin) has immune-modulating properties and can potentially be used as a complementary therapy for tumour treatment. The study found that essential oils of Cumin used at 50 and 500 µg/ml concentrations, significantly inhibited the growth of tumour cells.
6. Antioxidant properties
One of the Jeera water uses is that it possesses antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are substances that can help prevent or reduce damage to cells caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress in the body.
Cumin seeds contain several compounds, including phenols and flavonoids, that exhibit potent antioxidant activity. These compounds scavenge free radicals and protect against cellular damage caused by oxidative stress.
The high antioxidant activity of cumin water is mainly due to the presence of certain compounds such as monoterpene alcohols, flavonoids, and polyphenolic compounds like linalool, carvacrol, anethole, estragol, and others. This antioxidant profile of jeera water is believed to be the fundamental mechanism responsible for its various therapeutic properties including antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic/antimutagenic, antistress, antiulcerogenic activities.
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