Cardamom seeds are a common kitchen spice that can be found in multiple recipes; and aside from its taste properties, it could also come with some health benefits. As such, a new study reveals that these spices have the ability to melt body fat while boosting metabolism.
Superfood Cardamom Seeds
Cardamom seeds are a common kitchen spice that has a positive effect on the body when it comes to melting body fat and increasing the mass of lean muscles. This particular spice's taste flavor is warm, spicy, and a little sweet.
In the US, this spice is often used in certain pastries like gingerbread cookies or even pumpkin pie. A new study by Texas A&M University in collaboration with the National Institute of Health Sciences and Nutrition in Mexico found that cardamom had significant health benefits.
Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, a Texas A&M professor in horticulture and food science, said that they found that the small spice helps burn calories, helping with body weight maintenance. While doing so, it also increases food consumption and appetite.
Because of its health benefits, the spice was called a "superfood."
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Studying Cardamom
The study saw cardamom being fed to mice at percentages of 0, 3, 6, or 12 over the span of 14 weeks. Within the experiment, they found that mice that had diets rich in cardamom had a lower weight gain compared to the control group despite having a larger diet.
This was the result of the mice having lower body fat content and an increase in lean muscle mass. When it comes to its biochemical effects, eating cardamom helps increase fat breakdown while also shrinking fatty deposits, which stops the accumulation of fat in tissues.
Higher cardamom contents were also found to increase mitochondria concentration in the liver and muscle cells. This led to an overall increase in cell energy expenditure.
The researchers also found its effect on the brain as the changes related to appetite control, fat storage, and energy expenditure. Previously, studies have only been able to focus on how cardamom had anti-inflammatory properties, meaning the spice was important for overall health.
Potential Health Benefits
Cisneros-Zevallos said that there are many potential health benefits that can come from the consumption of cardamom. In fact, with the newly discovered functionality, this particular spice can see more use cases in different industries.
Some fields that could benefit greatly from the introduction of cardamom to the diet include the sports industry, the dietary supplements industry, and the functional foods industry. The good thing about cardamom is it also has a positive taste flavor, making it easier to incorporate into different diets.
For adults to feel the effects of cardamom, the authors of the study suggest that a person consumes eight to 10 cardamom pods daily. However, the study also says that additional work needs to be done to discover its effect on humans.
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