This One Kitchen Spice Can Help You Lose Weight, Fight Alzheimer’s and More

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3. Improves Iron Levels

One of the most common nutritional deficiencies in the U.S. is a lack of iron. This is the number one cause of anemia in America. Iron is a vital mineral for the proper metabolism of the body. Children, women of child-bearing years, and teenagers are at the highest risk for iron deficiency. Symptoms of this problem are extreme muscle weakness, fatigue and shortness of breath. Ground cumin can help to prevent iron deficiency and anemia. Each teaspoon of this wonderful spice has four milligrams of iron, or about 22 percent of your daily requirement.

4. Improves Digestion

Mysore University published a study in 2004 which found that cumin stimulated the liver to increase its production of bile, which helps the body break down fat and absorb nutrients more efficiently. This is helpful for problems with indigestion and with diarrhea. This study, published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, showed the rats that were given cumin had a 71 percent increase in their bile production.

5. Lowers Cholesterol

In an Indian study, tests were performed on diabetic rats. These rats were given cumin extract, and it was found that not only did cumin reduce their pancreatic inflammation markers, but also the rats’ overall cholesterol and triglyceride levels were lowered significantly. This study was published in 2002 by Annamalai University.

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