Unexpected Health Benefits Of Cumin

For fans of cumin, which is originally from the Middle East and India, you'll probably be excited to learn that this plant-derived spice provides several unexpected health benefits. Extracted from the seeds of the cuminum cyminum plant, cumin provides a spicy, nutty flavor to many dishes within Middle Eastern, Indian, and now American cuisines, reports Healthline. Cumin also has a history as a medicinal spice, making it a well-rounded health staple.

A fun fact about cumin is that it can be found in over a third of the dishes served at Chipotle, according to NPR. Cumin has become a globetrotting spice in its modern reach and presence in Mexican food like tacos and black bean soup, to grilled meats in Chinese dishes. The spice's global reach is as vast as its historical documentation — writings of cumin appearing in the ancient Greek medical texts called The Hippocratic Corpus, which date back as early as the fifth century B.C. In modern medicine, cumin is thought to have anti-cancer properties, among many other benefits (via Healthline). Whether you're an avid cumin consumer or you've never tried this earthy spice, here's what you should know about its unexpected benefits.

Cumin has a lot of benefits, particularly when it comes to health. Most often, you'll probably hear cumin discussed as a digestive aid for everything from diarrhea to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (per Healthline). For people who live with IBS, incorporating cumin into your diet can decrease cramping, bloating, nausea, and the digestive spasms that go along with the condition. Some researchers have even expressed that cumin may be an easy, affordable treatment option for IBS in place of expensive medications. In ancient medicine, cumin has been recorded to have been a centuries-long cure for diarrhea. Today, modern medicine is beginning to become aware of the benefits the spice has when it comes to quickly treating the discomfort of runny stools.

There are many other health conditions that cumin has the potential to help treat, including cancerous tumors (via WebMD). Scientists have performed studies utilizing cumin given to animals and have found that the spice may be able to prevent tumors from growing. The types of tumors experts have studied using cumin include stomach, colon, and liver cancers. Additionally, cumin has many antioxidant properties, meaning that it can help flush toxins from the body and aid in overall health. The spice can also assist in lowering cholesterol, weight management, and weight loss, and can increase both focus and memory. On top of all of the benefits, don't forget that cumin is extremely tasty and delicious!