When it comes to eating a healthy, balanced diet, it can often feel like there's always something new you have to add—an ever-expanding list of rules and regulations to stick to.

Thankfully, we may have some good news for those on a budget looking to turn over a new leaf: scientists have recently discovered that a common and affordable spice can help with weight loss and improve overall health.

The study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, explored the effects of a certain spice on fat loss and inflammation by looking into its effects on mice.

Cardamom is a spice with an intense, slightly sweet flavour that some people compare to mint. Image source: Flickr.

Researchers found that by adding cardamom to their diets, mice felt hungrier and more energetic and had more success in losing weight than their counterparts who weren't consuming the spice.

Cardamom, a popular ingredient in Indian and Indian-inspired cuisine such as pilau rice and chai, promotes overall health, modulates food intake, increases energy expenditure, and even helps reduce blood pressure.

According to Dr Luis Cisneros-Zevallos from the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture at Texas A&M AgriLife, an adult weighing around 60 kilograms would need to eat at least 77 milligrams of cardamom a day to gain the full benefits—meaning consuming eight to 10 pods on a daily basis to have a positive impact on their weight loss.

Cardamom is also loaded with antioxidants, which can protect our cells from damage, stop this process from happening, curtail inflammation, and aid digestion. It's also been used to help people with halitosis, also called bad breath, and to help lower blood sugar.

'There is a wide range of potential health products for cardamom and its naturally occurring compounds,' said Dr Cisneros-Zevallos.

However, we should stress that whilst cardamom has been scientifically proven to help with weight loss in mice, the research is yet to confirm if the same is true for humans.

Cardamom might also help people dealing with high blood pressure. In a study, 20 adults with new high blood pressure took three grams of cardamom powder daily for 12 weeks. Their blood pressure significantly decreased, often to normal levels.

According to the study, this positive outcome could be due to cardamom's high antioxidants, increasing participants' antioxidant levels by 90 per cent. Antioxidants are known to lower blood pressure.

It might also be because the spice has a diuretic effect, promoting urination to reduce excess water, like around the heart.

Cardamom has been used as an ancient remedy to improve oral health and treat bad breath. In certain cultures, people eat whole cardamom pods after meals for fresher breath.

Wrigley, the chewing gum company, even includes cardamom in one of its products. This spice's potential to fight mouth bacteria might explain its minty breath benefits.

Key Takeaways

• A new study has found that adding cardamom to your diet could potentially assist with weight loss and management.
• The study discovered that consuming cardamom increased fat loss and reduced inflammation in mice.
• Cardamom is suggested to be beneficial in various health aspects like lowering high blood pressure, fighting inflammation and improving digestion and oral health.
• Principal investigator Dr Luis Cisneros-Zevallos suggests that the spice could be used to produce healthier foods across different industries, including sports and dietary supplements.

So, the next time you're looking for a way to spice up your dishes, why not give this powerful antioxidant a go? With its many health benefits, it's a kitchen spice worth adding to your diet! Just remember to consult with your doctor first to ensure this is safe for you to eat.

What do you think, members? Are you looking to give this a try? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[joby78]

at 78 years of age i shall certainly give it a try , it may improve my workouts at the Gym

 

[Observer]

We gonna have some awfully skinny mice running around

 

[MariaG]

at 78 years of age i shall certainly give it a try , it may improve my workouts at the Gym

Looks like you're doing pretty well with out it. Could teach those young whipper snappers a thing or two. God on ya Joby.

 

[ElleJay]

How on earth can it make you feel hungrier AND help you lose weight???

 

[Ricki]

Wonderful flavour. Use it often in baking but sadly don't have more energy or lost any weight