Il cumin is a spice typical of the Middle Eastern areas and is composed of the fruits of the Cuminum cyminum plant belonging to the botanical family of apiacea such as coriander and other spices.
La cumin plant è rich in essential oils which give it an unmistakable aroma: both the leaves and the fruits are in fact used as flavoring in cooking.
Particularly the fruits, similar to small seeds, they are collected and dried and then also sold ground into powder of cumin.
This spice has been known since ancient times in India, Africa e Middle East where it is traditionally used in many recipes for flavor the dishes.
There are several varieties of cumin how's that Bengali which has a less elongated shape and the Persian black cumin (Bunium persicum) which is grown only in Iran and India.
Finally, even in the country we have a cumin which grows spontaneously in fields and clearings. Its common name is cumin of priests or communes of the Romans (dear carvi).
Composition of caraway fruits
I cumin fruits they contain many vitamins in particular they are rich in vitamin A, C, E, K. e B vitamins.
Even the reserve of mineral salts it is high and the cumin contains above all iron, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium.
Cumin is rich di essential oils, flavonoids e tannins but also of fibers, sugars, fats and proteins.
Il cumin flavor is very similar to that of the anise or fennel seeds. The shape of the fruits of these spices is practically identical, being small, oblong in shape and brownish in color. Only the longitudinal ribs and peduncolino help identify these aromatic fruits.
Properties of cumin: digestive
Cumin is one of the active spices digestive more incisive and effective. In fact, the use of cumin in dishes was added to help digestion of the dishes.
The richness of essential oils stimulates the digestive process leading to the activation and increase of the production of digestive enzymes in the stomach and in the intestinal tract. In particular the aromatic compound cuminaldehyde it is responsible for activating both the salivary glands in the mouth that help the first part of digestion and those that produce digestive enzymes in the stomach. Even the presence of the thymol stimulates the glands to secrete acids, enzymes and bile which help the entire digestive process.
The digestive effect is also associated with a strong carminative activity which therefore helps to counteract the problems of intestinal gas and flatulence. The essences in cumin allow to eliminate intestinal gas without any abdominal pain and also stimulate the cleansing of the gastrointestinal tract.
Il cumin in addition to being used as a spice can be used as a decoction to drink after meals in order to bring these into our body digestive and carminative properties. Furthermore, together with hot water, we obtain the extraction of those active ingredients that help relieve any stomach pains and even promote the healing of wounds or infections of the gastrointestinal tract.
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Other properties of cumin
Il cumin it also acts on the body by raising the body temperature thus favoring the consumption of calories and fat. This effect can be to the advantage when we want the metabolism speed up and help us to lose some weight.
Obviously cumin alone is not enough we will always need one well balanced diet and physical activity to get fit.
However it was seen that the ability of our body to eliminate fat improves by 25% when cumin is used in the diet.
Problems iron deficiency such as anemia they can be relieved by taking cumin indeed 100 grams of cumin contain over 66 milligrams of iron. This quantity is 5 times higher than the daily requirement of an adult and it is therefore sufficient to add just a little cumin in cooking recipes to have a good supply of this mineral.
Il cumin it also plays aantitumor action thanks to the presence of an active ingredient called thymequinone which is a powerful antioxidant. This substance is therefore capable of counteract free radicals thus reducing cellular aging and helping in a preventive action against oncological pathologies.
The immune system is also activated and strengthened by the presence of numerous substances such as vitamin C, A and an abundance of iron. Many of these substances, as we have said, are antioxidants and this leads to neutralizing free radicals, reducing the risk of developing diseases.
Finally the cumin is useful for enhancing learning and concentration in addition to removing the insomnia problems. A cumin tea drunk before sleeping, it gladdens sleep and calms the whole body. This remedy can also be useful against anxiety and stress thanks to his calming and relaxing properties.
In cosmetics: hair and skin health
Cumin has also been used since ancient times especially in India for its beneficial properties towards the hair. In fact, the consumption of cumin lowers the presence of split ends in the hair and also eliminates dandruff. Topical use of cumin decoction with fractionation on the hair helps to hydrate the tissue and leads to more brightness and softness to the hair.
The skin also benefits from the use of cumin since it is rich in vitamin A, C, E ad anti-aging and protective effect for the skin. Furthermore, these substances stimulate the production of collagen and keep the skin toned, radiant and soft. Finally the presence of essential oils have disinfectant and antifungal properties which thus avoid any skin problems.
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