Cardamom: Benefits, Nutritional Value, Allergies, Types

Did you know one of the many benefits of cardamom includes improving your immunity? Cardamom, also known as eliche in India, is a very fragrant spice that has evolved into a must-have element in Indian dishes and most desserts. Many characterize Cardamom in the immunity-boosting foods section. 

It is a component of a long-standing Indian tradition known as choti eliche and can provide the body with many health advantages. 

Numerous health benefits of cardamom include:

• Detoxifying the body
• Assisting with weight loss
• Battling depression
• Boosting the immune system
• Reducing high blood pressure

Nutrition Facts

Cardamom provides the following nutrients in 100 grams:

• 11 g of protein
• 0 mg of cholesterol
• 68 g of carbs
• 7 g total fat
• 311 kcal calorific value

Numerous disease-preventing phytonutrients can be found in cardamom. It also contains calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vital electrolytes. Along with this, it also contains an abundance of essential vitamins like riboflavin (Vitamin B2), niacin, and vitamin C. 

Cardamom pods have a triangular cross-section and are little, spindle-shaped objects. Many seeds are included in these pods, which can either be used whole or processed into a powder. The pods range in size and colour depending on the species; the seeds are small and black.

Health Benefits of Cardamom

This delightful spice is loaded with nutrients that will nourish your body. For more than 5,000 years, it has been a well-liked medicinal plant among healers. Due to their potent therapeutic qualities, cardamom seeds, oils, and extracts have long been utilized in traditional medicine.

Antioxidant properties could lower high blood pressure

• Due to its diuretic properties, cardamom is well known for regulating high blood pressure when consumed regularly. Its high antioxidant content aids in blood detoxification and encourages frequent urination, which helps remove water that has accumulated around vital organs
• Reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with stage 1 hypertension is regarded as one of the benefits of cardamom

Treats digestive conditions

• One of the most known benefits of cardamom is that it helps with digestive issues. Indians nearly often include cardamom because it promotes healthy digestion. The carminative and stimulating properties of cardamom are well known
• Cardamom has the essential oil mentioned, which helps ease gastrointestinal problems like treating stomach ulcers and acid reflex. Its anti-inflammatory qualities help decrease stomach burning and even get rid of nausea. It's still used by many to reduce motion sickness

Kills bad bacteria

Among st various benefits of eating cardamom, one is that it kills the various bacteria present inside your mouth. Traditional home treatment for freshening breath is cardamom. Your oral health will be excellent if you frequently consume it because it is packed with antioxidants as well as other bacteria-fighting properties. The spice contains cine ole, a cardamom oil with antibacterial effects. It improves dental health by eliminating the harmful germs that are present on the tongue and palate. 

It is well known that cardamom seeds may efficiently regulate the pH in the mouth, avoiding the emergence of major cavities and gum disorders.

Relaxes you

Due to its antioxidants, cardamom has a soothing impact on people. It also prevents cortisol from building up in your body, lowering stress and encouraging easy breathing.

Cardamom is calming and can be used as a stress reliever by inhaling its oil or chewing it. Though deemed early in comparison to other proof-based science, it is a popular element in aromatherapy. It has been shown to increase airflow to the lungs, thereby supplying more oxygen to the body. One of the benefits of cardamom is thought to support physiological reactions during exercise.

Postoperative recovery

The hours following surgery are challenging and rife with anesthesia-induced disorientation and lightheadedness. However, it is often dependent on the degree of the anesthetic and the body's constitution.

Using a mixture of ginger, lemon, lavender, and cardamom essential oils will help you feel better while you're awake, clear your head, and fight nausea.

Relieves respiratory conditions

Cardamom's health benefits are plenty. The spice contains a compound called cineole, which functions as an antibiotic to prevent bacterial infections of the lungs.

Enhancing respiratory health is made easier with black cardamom. Cardamom can also be used to lessen asthma and wheezing.[1]

To facilitate easier breathing, it aids in phlegm removal from the chest and nasal passages. The benefits of cardamom include containing flavonoids that increase oxygen absorption by assisting your lungs in relaxing so you can breathe deep and long.

Benefits of cardamom for skin

The cardamom benefits for the ski include helping people with acne-prone skin. It eliminates blemishes and stops breakouts. It regulates sebum production and unclogs all congested pores. Its anti-inflammatory components function to eliminate skin irritability and even out skin tone.

Thanks to the antioxidants in cardamom, chapped lips are no longer a problem. Lip balms often contain essential cardamom oils to provide flavour and soothe the lips.

Cardamom weight loss benefits

You can use cardamom for weight loss too. Due to the qualities of the oil contained in its pod, cardamom not only improves blood circulation and gets rid of extra toxins from the body but also speeds up metabolism. The sum of all these influences causes the body to burn fat at a healthy pace, which results in weight loss.

You can incorporate cardamom in a variety of ways into your weight-loss diet. To avail of the benefits of cardamom by losing weight, use black or green cardamom powder, tea, and water.

Benefits of cardamom for sleep

Inhaling the characteristic aroma of cardamom or putting a small quantity of cardamom oil around the nostril zone aids in peaceful sleep and minimizes difficulties resulting in sleep and unrest during the night. One of the benefits of cardamom is that it’s a very effective remedy for anxiety and sleeplessness.

Benefits of sexual health for men

Cardamom benefits for males include increased sex desire. [2] It treats issues like impotence and premature ejaculation due to its aphrodisiac effects. Cardamom is an excellent, low-risk treatment choice for issues related to sexual difficulties because of its distinctive aromatic and chemical composition.

Effect of cardamom on blood sugar

Blood sugar levels can be effectively controlled by cardamom. Due to the high manganese content of cardamom, it has the ability to balance the body's blood sugar levels.

Side Effects And Allergies Caused By Cardamom

Despite the many health benefits of cardamom, there may also be certain cardamom side effects for females and males with certain conditions. It is advised that pregnant women, breastfeeding moms, and those who are allergic to particular food types avoid consuming cardamom without general physician consultation. 

Gallstone sufferers are recommended not to eat cardamom in its raw, whole form; however, it is fine to eat in the form of a ground spice in any dish. It can be seen that cardamom's side effects are very few compared to its benefits.

Healthy Ways to Incorporate Cardamom in to Your Diet

Numerous nutritious cardamom dishes are not only tasty but also packed with other nourishing elements. Here's a look at a few of them:

A banana-cardamom smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/8 teaspoon cardamom powder
• One frozen banana
• One cup of Greek yogurt, plain
• Two pitted dates
• One inch of peeled fresh ginger
• Almond milk, 1/4 cup
• One pinch of salt

Method:

• To make this dish, fill a blender halfway with cardamom powder, salt, dates, ginger, milk, and a frozen banana
• Afterwards, purée it in a high until it gets perfectly smooth
• Serve cold in glasses

Cardamom rice pulav

Ingredients: 

• Olive oil, one tablespoon
• One small onion, chopped finely
• Cardamom seeds from seven bruised pods
• One cup of brown Basmati rice
• Two cups of vegetable broth
• lemon zest, grated, one teaspoon
• Add salt and freshly ground pepper for taste

Method:

• To begin, add one tablespoon of olive oil to a medium pot and heat it on low
• Then, add a small onion that has been finely diced and sauté for a minute
• Once the onion is transparent, add the cardamom seeds and cook for another 3 minutes or so
• Add the uncooked rice after turning the heat up to medium
• Cook and stir until it is thoroughly heated
• After that, increase the heat to high, add the broth, mix, and bring it to a boil
• Add some freshly grated lemon zest and stir thoroughly after adding salt and pepper
• Reduce the heat now, cover the pot, and cook the rice until it is soft and has soaked up all (or almost all) of the liquid
• Take out the pan from the stove and leave it aside for two minutes before serving it hot

What Are The Types Of Cardamom?

The two main varieties of cardamom are green and black.

The most popular kind is green cardamom, which is called true cardamom. 

• Both savory and sweet meals can be flavored with them
• For its scent, it is also used in rich stews and milk-based dishes
• It is also used as a spice in tea and coffee

Black cardamom is indigenous to the eastern Himalayas and is primarily grown in Sikkim, Eastern Nepal, and areas of West Bengal. It is slightly elongated and brown.

• It is only used in savory dishes such as curries and binary
• Also, it is a crucial component in gram masala (the blend of spices)
• Due to their nutritious content, dark brown seeds are particularly renowned for their therapeutic benefits

There are a lot of benefits of cardamom that people can avail of by consuming it daily. It may appear to be a simple spice, yet it contains potent medicinal properties that can help you stay healthy. Therefore, including cardamom in your meals could be a secure and efficient strategy to enhance your health.