Cardamom is one of our favored spices, especially for whipping up a storm in the kitchen! Even a dash of heavenly cardamom to tea has its own charm. What is cardamom? It is a spice with a signature sweet yet deep flavor that is comparable to mints.
While its birthplace is India, cardamom is available globally and is used throughout all types of recipes today. Coming to the cardamom benefits, there are several properties of oils, seeds and extracts of the spice. It has been used medicinally for several centuries as per historical records. It is also known by the name Elaichi.
Let us dig deeper to understand all about the cardamom nutritional value, its uses, and health benefits of cardamom.
Cardamom Nutritional Value
Before delving deep into the Cardamom uses and other benefits, take a closer look at these cardamom nutrition facts. Here is a list of nutrients found in 100 grams of cardamom:
- Calories: 311
- Carbohydrates- 68.47g
- Dietary Fiber- 28g
- Protein- 10.76g
- Cholesterol- O mg
- Fat- 6.7g
Besides, cardamom contains traces of other nutrients like pyridoxine, niacin, sodium, iron, copper, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, potassium, thiamin, Vitamin A and C.
Top 10 Cardamom Health Benefits
Here is a list of Elaichi benefits that you should be aware of:
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Reduces Blood Pressure
One of the chief cardamom benefits is that it helps in lowering blood pressure levels considerably. It contains several beneficial antioxidants which makes this possible. It has a diuretic impact that stimulates urination for removal of accumulated water around the heart.
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May Help Combat Cancer
One of the benefits of eating Elaichi is that it may help in combating specific cancer types. Compounds in this magical spice may combat cancer cells, naturally attacking and eliminating tumors.
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Comes with Anti-Inflammation Properties
Cardamom comes with several compounds that help in tackling inflammation. Antioxidants in cardamom safeguards the body from cell damage and prevents inflammation.
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Enables Better Digestion
One of the foremost cardamom benefits for males and females alike is its ability to enable better digestion. It is often fused with other helpful spices for lowering discomfort, vomiting, and nausea. It may also work against stomach ulcers.
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Fights Bad Breath
Another one of the noteworthy benefits of cardamom is that cardamom may also help in the treatment of bad breath while improving oral hygiene considerably. Cardamom contributes towards completely fresh breath and this is possible through its powers to eliminate mouth bacteria.
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Helps with Infection Treatment
Eating cardamom helps greatly in treating various kinds of infections. It has compounds that combat various bacterial strains and types. No wonder this is one of the “infectious” cardamom benefits!
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Ensures Better Usage of Oxygen
One of the biggest benefits of cardamom is its impact on ensuring better usage of oxygen and breathing alike. Cardamom contains several compounds that enhance overall lung airflow.
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Reduces Blood Sugar Levels
Cardamom contributes towards reducing levels of blood sugar as well. More studies are required for substantiating this aspect though.
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Safeguards the Liver
Cardamom helps in lowering elevated enzymes in the liver along with cholesterol and triglycerides. This helps in combating enlargement of the liver and excessive liver weight, thereby lowering risks of suffering from fatty liver ailments.
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Controls Anxiety
No list for cardamom benefits is complete without mentioning about cardamom’s anxiety controlling powers. Cardamom also has a part to play in controlling and lowering overall anxiety levels in individuals. It contains several beneficial elements which take care of this aspect, thereby keeping you stress-free throughout.
Cardamom Benefits For Females
Traditionally, Cardamom has been used for its various health benefits. It contains Phytochemicals that have anti-inflammatory as well as antibacterial properties. These are also suitable to boost heart health along with oral health. Cardamom has been widely used in Arabic and Middle Eastern foods. Some of the Cardamom health benefits for women are
- Menstrual and Menopausal Symptoms:
Normally, Cardamom is suitable to reduce the menstrual and menopausal symptoms. You can make Cardamom tea, which can easily soothe period cramps.
- Morning Sickness:
The Cardamom essential oil can also be found, which easily helps reduce morning sickness. Women suffering from morning sickness can drink this Cardamom tea.
- Increases Your Reproductive Health:
Cardamom is high in antioxidants that are suitable for reducing oxidative stress. These would be extensively suitable options for supporting the reproductive health of women. Cardamom also has the best anti-inflammatory properties, which would increase the hormone-regulating effects. These would automatically contribute to an increase in the fertility rate.
- Weight Management In Women:
Drinking Cardamom tea is widely helpful in reducing weight in the body. These also automatically reduce and prevent fat buildup in the liver.
- Dental Health:
Cardamom extracts are also suitable for fighting the bacteria that cause dental cavities.
- Anticancer Properties:
Cardamom or elaichi also involves natural phytochemicals, which are suitable options to fight diseases like cancer. These are not used for cancer treatment, but some studies show they can have mild cancer-fighting properties.
- Antimicrobial Ability:
Based on a recent study, the cardamom essential oil is an effective option for killing bacteria and fungi. These also involve the ability to damage the cell membranes of bacteria.
Cardamom Side Effects
While cardamom is a part of diverse recipes and is suitable for consumption on a regular basis, there are still some cardamom side effects for male and female consumers alike. These include the following:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Higher gallstone risks
- Interactions and reactions with specific medication
- Allergies
Of course, these are mostly seen upon excessive consumption of cardamom on a daily basis.
Benefits Of Cardamom: The Bottom Line
Cardamom is a traditional remedy for various ailments and has been used over thousands of years. You should integrate cardamom into your daily dietary regime and recipes for reaping the multifarious cardamom benefits. These include stress relief, liver safety, treatment for infections and better usage of oxygen throughout the body. Cardamom also helps with improved digestion while helping in combating specific types of cancer as well. You can harness all these advantages by consuming it on a daily basis. However, make sure that you do not go overboard in this regard.
Cardamom Benefits : FAQs
What is cardamom best used for?
Cardamom is best used throughout Indian and many other dishes including gravies, curries and even for Kheer. Many people also use it in tea. It is used in several garam masala and other such blends. It adds more flavors to baked products including cheesecake and cookies.
Does cardamom affect sperm count?
Several studies have reported how excessive intake of cardamom may lead to issues with fertility in men. Many people have also stated how impotency has arisen due to cardamom consumption. This requires more study.
What did cardamom taste like?
Cardamom has a fragrant and warm flavor, which is a fusion of something like pepper, fresh mint and even eucalyptus according to those who have tasted this spice. It has a citrus-esque vibe although it is also sweet.
Is cardamom a blood thinner?
Those who have bronchitis or asthma should embrace the consumption of cardamom regularly. It will greatly improve the levels of blood circulation throughout the lungs owing to its blood thinning attributes.
How do you use cardamom in a recipe?
Cardamom is one of the best and strongest ingredients in your recipe, added with massive health benefits. Hence, you should add it gradually and slowly into any curry or other dish. It goes well with red meat, poultry, rice and lentils along with oranges. You can also pair it up with cinnamon and nutmeg, or use it in baked products, sausages and tea.
Is Cardamom Good For Fatty Liver?
Yes, Cardamom is an especially good option for the fatty liver. Based on a recent study stating Cardamom can improve liver function in NAFLD patients or patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Cardamom also has a distinct aroma, which imparts a rich flavour. Cardamom is also called the queen of spices and is prized for its health benefits. These are also suitable for reducing fatty liver along with digestive disorders in obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Is Cardamom Safe For Kidneys?
Cardamom is also suitable for lowering blood pressure as it is a complete superfood for your kidneys. Cardamom is also the best option for promoting urination by removing toxins. It is very helpful for eliminating waste through the kidneys, and these also act as diuretics. Cardamom also combats infections by helping to cleanse the urinary tract and bladder. Cardamom removes the accumulated calcium along with urea content.
References:
- Benefits of Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Extracts for Their Applications as Natural Anti-Inflammatory Adjuvants. Plants (MDPI)[Internet]. https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/9/1908. Accessed May 02, 2022.
- Cardamom Potential Health Benefits. Nutrition Today [Internet]. https://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/fulltext/2022/01000/cardamom__potential_health_benefits.8.aspx. Accessed May 5, 2022
- Health Benefits of Ceylon Cardamom. Sri Lanka Export Development Board https://www.srilankabusiness.com/faq/ceylon-spices/cardamom-benefits.html. Accessed May 07, 2022.
- Cardamom. RxList[Internet]. https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/cardamom.htm. Accessed May 08, 2022.
- 7 science-backed reasons why good-old elaichi needs to make a comeback in your diet. Healthshots. https://www.healthshots.com/healthy-eating/superfoods/7-science-backed-reasons-why-the-good-old-elaichi-needs-to-make-a-comeback-in-your-diet/. Accessed May 10, 2022.
