7 science-backed reasons why good-old elaichi needs to make a comeback in your diet

If reading our #momsays articles hasn’t already taught you the valuable lesson of never taking good-old kitchen ingredients for granted, here’s another one to remind you of this one true fact.

This time, the ingredient in question is elaichi, a.k.a. cardamom. From adding flavour to your cup of chai or that bowl of kheer to simply being used as a mouth freshener–the benefits of cardamom have been told to you over and over again by your mommy/nani/dadi.

But here’s science is giving you yet another reminder and convincing you to incorporate cardamom in your diet. 

1. It can keep your blood-sugar levels from spiking 
A study, published in the journal Lipids in Health and Disease, observed that mice, who were fed a high-carb and high-fat diet experienced a spike in their blood-sugar levels.

However, once they were fed cardamom after the meal, their sugar levels did not stay elevated for long. This obviously proves the power of elaichi in keeping  blood sugar level in control.

2. Consider your heart and liver covered too
The same study found that cardamom effectively prevents fat storage in the liver and lowers cholesterol levels in the body, thereby giving you a healthy heart.

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3. Yup, it can aid weight loss
The study also pointed out the effectiveness of cardamom in preventing obesity and reducing the waist circumference too! What more do you want from life?

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4. Your digestive system will thank you for it
A study conducted at the Indian Institute of Spices revealed that cardamom can effectively help fight nausea resulting from a digestive problem.

Also, read: My #momsays and science proves: Have saunf for loose motions

In fact, another study, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, found it to be more effective than a common ulcer pill when it came to healing stomach ulcers.

5. It can boost your immunity
There is no denying the fact that elaichi is packed with antioxidants. But the best part is that these antioxidants can protect your cells from damage, flush out toxins from your body, fight off free radicals, reduce inflammation, and strengthen your immunity as per a 2011 study published in the journal Nutrition.

6. It can protect you from cancer too
According to a 2012 study, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, cardamom powder is capable of promoting the activities of certain enzymes in our body that help prevent cancer.

Hence, adding a dash of cardamom powder to your regular cup of tea or green tea can work wonders for you.

Also, read: 5 things about cervical cancer prevention every woman needs to know, according to a gynae-oncologist

7. You won’t have to spend extra on a mouth freshener
For a minty-fresh breath and a great after-taste, chewing some cardamom is a common practice in many cultures—thanks to its ability to fight common mouth bacteria. In fact, this is what makes it a saviour for your dental health, according to a study published in the Dental Research Journal.

So, make the most of this wonder spice and thank us later.