Cardamom is a spice derived from the seeds of the cardamom plant, which belongs to the family as ginger. It adds an aromatic touch to dishes and beverages enhancing their flavors. Apart from its taste enhancing properties cardamom also offers health benefits due to its abundance of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
However, cardamom is not about flavor. It contains a compound called cinnamaldehyde that gives it its taste and aroma. Studies have shown that cinnamaldehyde possesses inflammatory, anti diabetic and antimicrobial effects. Moreover it can influence your metabolism and appetite – two factors, in achieving weight loss goals. Let's dive deeper into how cardamom can assist you in shedding those pounds.
How Cardamom Boosts Your Metabolism
Cardamom has the potential to aid in burning fats through a process called thermogenesis where calories are converted into heat. When you consume cardamom it triggers the release of a hormone called norepinephrine. This hormone stimulates your system resulting in increased heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen consumption. The outcome is that more calories from fat are burned.
Â
Several studies have indicated that consuming cardamom can raise your metabolic rate by 50 calories per day. Although this may not seem significant initially over time it can contribute to weight loss. For instance if you consistently consume 50 calories from cardamom daily for a year without making any changes to your diet or exercise routine you could potentially shed up to 5 pounds of fat.
Â
Another benefit of cardamom is its ability to enhance insulin sensitivity. Insulin is responsible for regulating blood glucose levels. If your body doesn't produce insulin or becomes resistant to its effects it can lead to blood glucose levels and various metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes.
Â
Cardamom aids in lowering blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake into cells and improving the functioning of insulin receptors.
This can help your body avoid storing glucose as fat and instead utilize it as a source of energy.
How Cardamom Suppresses Your Appetite
Another way that cardamom can aid in weight loss is, by reducing hunger and cravings. Cardamom achieves this by regulating hormones and neurotransmitters that play a role in appetite and satiety. For instance it can decrease ghrelin levels, a hormone for stimulating hunger while increasing leptin levels, a hormone that signals fullness.
Â
Cardamom helps promote feelings of satisfaction with food portions preventing overeating. Additionally cardamom has the ability to curb cravings for high calorie foods like sweets and fats by influencing the reward system in the brain.
Â
In a 2017 study researchers found that individuals who consumed 3 grams of cardamom daily for 16 weeks experienced a reduction in appetite and food intake compared to those who received a placebo. The study also revealed improvements in mood and cognitive performance, among the participants.
Why You Should Use Cardamom Compared to Other Spices
Cardamom possesses a flavor that sets it apart making it challenging to find a substitute. Unlike spices, like cumin or caraway which are commonly used in cuisines, cardamom is often regarded as more of a special spice. One contributing factor to this perception is its price as cardamom ranks among the top three most expensive spices globally.
However this doesn't imply that you should overlook the use of cardamom, for weight loss purposes. In fact cardamom offers advantages over spices when it comes to promoting fat burning. Here are some reasons why you should use cardamom compared to other spices:
- According to a 2012 study cardamom has an impact on thermogenesis compared to spices. The research observed that cardamom led to the increase in energy expenditure among all the spices tested. Additionally the study revealed that cardamom demonstrated a greater antioxidant capacity, than spices.
- Cardamom offers a flavor compared to spices. For those who may find spices bitter or strong, cardamom provides a sweet and aromatic taste that beautifully enhances various dishes and beverages without being overpowering. Whether it's in coffee, cakes, curries or rice dishes cardamom can be used in both savory recipes.
- Cardamom offers a range of health benefits compared to spices. In addition, its ability to aid in burning cardamom can also contribute to your well being in various ways. For instance it can assist with problems like bloating, indigestion and constipation. Moreover cardamom has been known to provide relief for issues such as asthma, bronchitis and coughs. Additionally it acts as a shield against infections, inflammation and oxidative stress.
How to Use Cardamom for Weight Loss
Cardamom is a spice that offers versatility and can be easily incorporated into your meals. Whether in the form of ground or stick cardamom you can use it to add flavor to dishes and drinks. For instance you can sprinkle a bit of cardamom onto your oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, coffee, tea or even water for an invigorating beverage. Additionally, incorporating cardamom into soups, stews, curries or rice dishes can provide them with a twist.
Â
Nevertheless it's important to exercise caution when consuming cardamom. Consuming amounts at once or on an empty stomach may lead to discomfort or irritation in the mouth, throat, stomach or intestines. It's recommended to start with a quantity and gradually increase it as you become accustomed to the spiciness. Remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to help eliminate any norepinephrine from your system.
Â
If you're considering using cardamom for weight loss purposes it's advisable to stick within a recommended dosage range of 1 6 grams per day. This is equivalent to 0.5 3 teaspoons of ground cardamom or 1 4 sticks of stick cardamom. It's important not to exceed this dosage and consult with your doctor before using it for, than 6 weeks.
Conclusion
Cardamom is a spice that can aid in burning and metabolism boosting. It achieves this by enhancing thermogenesis and improving insulin sensitivity. Additionally cardamom has the potential to reduce appetite and cravings by influencing hunger regulating hormones and neurotransmitters. To experience these advantages it is recommended to incorporate 1 6 grams of cardamom into your meals or beverages. However it's important to exercise caution and avoid consumption or consuming it on a stomach as this may lead to discomfort or irritation. As always consulting with a healthcare professional before making any adjustments to your diet or supplement routine is advised.
Â
We hope you found this article enlightening and gained some insights on the connection between cardamom and weight loss. If you have any questions or thoughts please feel free to share them.. Remember to explore our articles on the supplement health store blog for additional tips and tricks, on enhancing your overall well being and fitness levels.