According to a recent study from Texas A&M AgriLife there are various health benefits of consuming cardamom, such as improved appetite, reduced inflammation and fat loss, designating it as a “superfood.”
Cardamom beneficial in reducing body fat and increasing appetite
Lead investigator Luis Cisneros-Zevallos argued that that cardamom might offer a beneficial option in diets by supporting weight management, promoting lean body mass, and reducing fat. The research by the horticulture and food professor at Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Department of Horticultural Sciences sought to get insight in how various horticultural crops were impacting human health.
Amit Dhingra the Department of Horticultural Sciences Head said that Cisnearos-Zevallos’ work aligns with the department’s with food security, wellness, and sustainability goals.
Researchers published the findings of the “Cardamom Seeds Intake Increases Energy Expenditure and Reduces Fat Mass in Mice by Modulating Neural Circuits That Regulate Adipose Tissue Lipolysis and Mitochondrial Oxidative Metabolism in Liver and Skeletal Muscle,” study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
The global popularity of cardamom, a widely used spice, is expected to grow due to recent study findings. This aromatic spice offers a warm herbal flavor, combining mint, pepper, and notes of eucalyptus blends.
Cardamom can help increase energy expenditure
Cisneros-Zevallos said that although cardamom is not well known in the US, the spice is popular in other regions globally. The researcher explained that they discovered that a small piece of cardamom can help in burning calories, maintaining body mass while boosting food consumption and appetite.
Researchers used live animal specimens to conduct the study and administered different cardamom seeds doses in their regular diet. Cisneros-Zevallos said that cardamom not only does it increase appetite but it also leads to fat mass reduction and enhances energy expenditure.
The research suggests that consuming around 77 milligrams of cardamom bioactives daily, obtained from eight to 10 cardamom pods, benefits neural circuits regulating fat breakdown and metabolism in the liver and muscles.
Cisneros-Zevallos noted that cardamom possesses anti-inflammatory qualities, potentially lowering low-grade inflammation which could contribute to chronic health issues and various diseases.
