The health benefits of cumin
Nicola Shubrook discovers what makes this aromatic spice so good for you, including the ways it can help improve digestion, immunity and circulation.
What is cumin?
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is a spice that comes from a small herbaceous plant, belonging to the same family as parsley and fennel. The aromatic seeds are what we commonly recognise as cumin and is a staple ingredient in Mexican, Indian and North African cooking.
Although, the cumin most of us have in our kitchen cupboards is brown, black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa), from an unrelated plant, boast a higher concentration of active oils.
Health benefits of cumin may include:
1. Rich in antioxidants
2. May protect against cancer
3. May relieve IBS symptoms
4. May reduce blood sugar levels
5. Natural antibiotic
Discover our full range of health benefit guides and check out some of our delicious cumin recipes, from cumin-scented chicken curry to chole with cumin rice & raita.
Nutritional benefits of cumin
One teaspoon (3g) of cumin seeds provides:
- 14Kcal / 57KJ
- 0.6g Protein
- 0.8g Fat
- 1.0g Carbohydrate
- 0.3g Fibre
Top 5 health benefits of cumin
1. Rich in antioxidants
Cumin seeds contain natural compounds called flavonoids, including apigenin and luteolin, which have protective antioxidant properties. These antioxidants help reduce the risk of chronic disease by minimising the damage done by molecules called free radicals.
2. May be cancer protective
Animal studies suggest the spice may have an anti-cancer effect in both the stomach and cervix. The active constituents appear to work by stopping the cancer cells from multiplying and cumin seems to be one of the most effective of the culinary spices.
3. May aid digestion
Black cumin seeds contain a number of active compounds including one called thymoquinone that stimulates our salivary glands, enzymes and bile, all of which are involved in the breakdown of our food.
Black cumin, thanks to its thymoquinone content has gastro-protective properties and is a carminative, which means it may help to relieve gas in the stomach and intestines, and be effective in the alleviation of irritable bowel symptoms.
4. May reduce blood sugar
There have been a number of studies evaluating the effect of cumin on blood sugar management, although with some variation in results. Certainly black cumin may help reduce fasting blood sugar in people with diabetes and similar benefits have been seen with the cumin spice when used in animal studies.
5. Has anti-microbial properties
As well as adding flavour to food, the spice cumin acts as a food preservative having antimicrobial properties. It has been found to inhibit bacterial growth, including that of Staphyloccus aureus.
Is cumin safe for everyone?
As a culinary spice, cumin is considered safe for most people although in some rare circumstances, allergy may occur. Those with a cumin allergy may experience a cross-reactivity to related plants such as coriander and dill.
Overall, is cumin good for you?
This earthy spice certainly has some benefits to your health. It's a natural anti-microbial and rich in antioxidants, so it may help to ward of disease. As well as potentially protecting against cancer, it's also believed to help reduce blood sugar in those with diabetes, and soothe gut issues.
Speak to your GP or healthcare provider if you’re concerned about allergies.
Healthy cumin recipes
Carrot & cumin salad
Cumin roast peppers & tomatoes
Cumin chicken & avocado salad
Honey-roasted swede with chilli & cumin
Spiced carrot & lentil soup
Squash, chicken & couscous one-pot
Red lentil & squash dhal
Now read...
The health benefits of cinnamon
The health benefits of turmeric
The health benefits of ginger
More health benefits guides
This article was last reviewed on 6 October 2021 by Kerry Torrens.
Nicola Shubrook is a nutritional therapist and works with both private clients and the corporate sector. She is an accredited member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT) and the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Find out more at urbanwellness.co.uk.
Kerry Torrens is a qualified nutritionist (MBANT) with a postgraduate diploma in Personalised Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy. She is a member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and a member of the Guild of Food Writers. Over the past 15 years she has been a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including BBC Good Food.
All health content on bbcgoodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.
Comments, questions and tips
