Take this spice to shed pounds!
Everyone is looking for the next weight loss “secret” or “miracle cure”. After all, it would be so much easier to just take a pill or supplement and get rid of the excess weight overnight, right? Well, sadly, life doesn’t work like that. It takes hard work, healthy eating, and proper exercise to lose weight. But the good news is that there are a few things that can lend a helping hand.
It looks like cumin may be one such “helping hand” to get you past that weight loss plateau. A 2014 study out of Iran found cumin linked to weight loss and improved health!
A team of researchers from the Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Iran evaluated 88 obese and overweight women. The women were divided into two groups, and both groups followed the same diet plan (cutting 500 calories per day) over the course of three months. The only difference between the two groups lay in their consumption of the spice cumin. The test group at just 3 grams of the stuff every day.
After the trial, ALL of the women had lost weight. (No surprise there! After all, controlling calories is the key to weight loss.) But, there was a difference in the AMOUNT of weight lost. The control group (no cumin) lots 10 pounds, while the test group (those who ate cumin) lost 13 pounds. This may not sound like a lot, but we’re talking an additional 30% weight loss. Pretty impressive numbers, all things considered!
The differences didn’t stop there…
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The group who ate cumin also noticed a 15% decrease in their body fat percentage. The control group only noticed a 5% decrease in body fat. Not only did the cumin help to speed up weight loss, but it targeted body fat specifically.
The group who ate cumin had much lower levels of triglycerides–23% lower, in fact. The control group only noticed a 5% decrease in their triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are fat in storage form. Eating cumin can help to prevent fat storage as well as increase the amount of fat burned.
The group who ate cumin saw a drastic decrease in their LDL cholesterol levels. Their cholesterol readings dropped by an average of 10 points at the end of the three months. The control group (who ate no cumin) only saw a 5-point reduction in their LDL cholesterol. Turns out cumin is heart-smart as well!
Cumin is packed with a wide range of plant chemicals known as phytosterols. These chemicals are able to stop your body from absorbing cholesterol, and it can inhibit the production and storage of fat. According to the study, cumin also had a metabolism-boosting effect, similar to the way cinnamon and capsaicin (from spicy chili peppers) affect the body. All in all, cumin seemed to be a highly effective method for losing weight, controlling blood cholesterol, and improving overall health.
The best part about cumin: it’s absolutely delicious! You can mix it in to a wide range of meals and recipes, including (but not limited to):
- Chili beans
- Curry
- Tacos
- Hummus
- Soup
- Roasted veggies
- Eggs
- Legumes
- and the list goes on!
The truth is that cumin is a versatile spice, despite its strong flavor. You can add it into just about any meat, chicken, or fish dish, and it will go well. It’s especially useful for adding a punch of flavor to beans, lentils, and chickpeas. Best of all, it will promote weight loss and help to improve your overall health!
