Gingerbread cookies and Indian curries are all popular dishes that contain a little-known spice called cardamom. Even if you're not familiar with it, you may have enjoyed this warming spice in food, drinks, or desserts. Currently, she is experiencing a surge in popularity. But how does cardamom affect the human body? What is its benefit?
Content What is cardamom?What is cardamom used for?How does cardamom affect the human body: nutritionHow does cardamom affect the human body: health benefitsHow does cardamom affect the human body: warningsHow to cook with cardamom
WomanEL offers to learn what you need to know about this aromatic spice, its benefits and disadvantages.
What is cardamom?
Cardamom is a unique aromatic spice obtained from pods and seeds of several plants of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). Cardamom grows in tropical regions. India, Indonesia and Guatemala are the leading producers of this spice.
Cardamom has a complex flavor profile. It's warming, so it has a bit of spice, but it's also sweet. It has notes of pepper and mint, it is slightly bitter and earthy. The sweet aroma has floral, citrus and herbal notes. Cardamom is so unique that it is difficult to describe or replicate with other spices.
Although cardamom is not as common in some countries, it has been around for thousands of years. In fact, it is considered one of the oldest spices and has been used in ancient medicine.
It is also sometimes called the “queen of spices” because it is not cheap. Cardamom is labor-intensive to produce, making it more expensive and therefore less common than other spices.
What is cardamom used for?
Having a unique and complex aroma, cardamom is a versatile spice. It is used in many recipes, including sweet and savory dishes, and in different cultures and cuisines.
Cardamom originated in India, and India is one of the largest producers of this spice. It is therefore not surprising that it is a staple in Indian cuisine. In Indian cuisine, cardamom is used in curries, biryani, masala, kheer (rice pudding) and other dishes. Cardamom can also be found in Chai, an Indian spiced tea that is served hot or cold.
In Middle Eastern cuisine, cardamom is used to flavor coffee, meats, and desserts. You can use a coffee grinder to grind whole cardamom pods, which makes it easy to blend cardamom with coffee beans for a uniquely caffeinated drink. In this cuisine, it is a key spice in baharat, a common Middle Eastern spice blend used to season meats. Some Middle Eastern desserts, such as baklava, also use cardamom.
Speaking of sweets, cardamom is widely used in Scandinavian baking and desserts. It can be found in cardamom buns, Norwegian yulekäke (Christmas bread), cookies, and more. It is also a key ingredient in glegg, a Scandinavian mulled wine.
If you are concerned about gastrointestinal problems, we know which drinks will help you. Even a doctor recommends them.
How cardamom affects the human body: nutrition
Cardamom is used to treat throat infections, mouth ulcers, breathing problems, digestion and even as an antidote to poisons and toxic substances, Source: freepik.com
The benefits of consuming cardamom are immense. It is a rich source of vitamins such as vitamin C, niacin, vitamin A, riboflavin, etc. Minerals including manganese, iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium are found in cardamom seeds.
Cardamom oil contains pinene, terpineol, cineole and humulene as its main components. Although cardamom oil is very volatile, it contains antioxidant compounds that help improve digestion and metabolism.
100 grams of cardamom contains:
- Total fat: 7 grams
- Total carbohydrates: 68 grams
- Protein: 11 grams
- Sodium: 18 mg
- Calories: 311 Kcal
How does cardamom affect the human body: health benefits
Cardamom is one of the rare spices that has both health and culinary properties. It helps in case of diseases of the digestive system, respiratory tract and skin:
- Cardamom has been used to treat digestive ailments since ancient times. From aiding in digestion to treating indigestion, cardamom is becoming an indispensable ingredient in stomach-friendly recipes. This spice acts as a carminative and digestive stimulant, and when combined with other herbs, it relieves discomfort, nausea, and vomiting.
- Consuming cardamom helps people control blood pressure and improves heart health.
- The anti-inflammatory properties of cardamom help reduce pain, swelling, and discomfort. Cardamom can reduce discomfort associated with arthritis, gout, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
- Chewing the spice helps flush out toxins that damage the skin. The improved circulation and various phytonutrients in cardamom help fight skin infections and allergies, improve skin tone, and prevent aging.
- Black cardamom has antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent bronchitis, asthma, colds and sinusitis. The active components of cardamom have expectorant properties, helping to increase airflow in the lungs and improve breathing.
- Cardamom after meals eliminates bad breath and refreshes the oral cavity. Adding cardamom to toothpaste gives a pleasant taste and protects the oral cavity.
- Using cardamom powder can lower blood sugar levels. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects of this spice help to cope with type 2 diabetes.
How cardamom affects the human body: warnings
Cardamom is considered safe for most people and does not cause any side effects. Allergic reactions such as skin rash, swollen tongue, and difficulty breathing may occur after consuming the spice in excessive amounts.
Exceeding the recommended doses of cardamom can cause gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, nausea, and diarrhea. Overdosing on cardamom extracts can also cause brain swelling, oxidative stress, and damage to heart cells.
Consuming excessive amounts of cardamom during pregnancy can stimulate uterine contractions and lead to miscarriage. It may interfere with the action of some medications, including anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs.
Always use cardamom or its products after consulting a doctor.
How to cook with cardamom
To make cardamom-based dishes, you'll need ground cardamom or cardamom pods and seeds that you grind yourself. Ground cardamom is available in most supermarkets, making it easy to access. It's also used in some spice blends, such as garam masala, baharat, and some curry powders. Like coffee beans, cardamom pods and seeds lose their flavor quickly. To save time, you can buy ground cardamom, but some people prefer the fresh flavor of grinding cardamom pods and seeds themselves as needed. To do this, you'll need a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder.In some cases, whole cardamom pods are used, so they don’t need to be crushed. You can lightly toast the cardamom pods and add them to your dish for flavor. Like bay leaves, you’ll remove the cardamom pods when you’re done cooking.
Cardamom’s versatility means it can be used in a wide variety of dishes. As a spice, cardamom can be used in meats, curries, saffron rice, soups, stews, and more. It’s typically used to season meats, but vegetarians and vegans can enjoy it in shawarma, for example. The spice also finds widespread use in baked goods and desserts such as breads, cakes, and cookies.
Cardamom is even used in some beverages due to its subtle sweetness. A simple tea is an easy way to get to know this spice. If you like coffee, try cardamom in your coffee – brew coffee with cardamom together or add freshly ground cardamom to a cup of coffee.
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