Benefits of Cardamom Super-Plant
What is Cardamom?
Cardamom is a spicy plant that belongs to the family of Zingiberaceae. Cardamom is made from the seeds of several plants in the genera Elettaria and Amomum. These genera are native to Indonesia and the Indian subcontinent. Amomum pods are large and dark brown, while Elettaria pods are light green and small. Likewise, cardamom has a strong aromatic fragrance and a unique taste.
Uses of Cardamom
1. Cardamom is used as an ingredient in savory food recipes and dishes, as well as a flavoring and spices in preparing beverages.
2. Cardamom is also consumed to neutralize bad breath odors.
3. Cardamom can be processed into tea and consumed to cure some ailments in the body.
4. Cardamom is used in the production of creams to lighten skin tone.
5. Cardamom is used in aromatherapy.
Traditional Uses of Cardamom
Cardamom has been used traditionally to cure some ailments such as nausea, asthma, cataracts, teeth and gum infections, diarrhea, digestive, kidney, and cardiac disorders.
Surprising facts about Cardamom
Cardamom has two varieties: green and black cardamom. Green cardamom, also known as true cardamom, is the most common variety, while black cardamom is known for its medicinal properties. Green cardamom is very fragrant, unlike black cardamom, which is not.
Cardamom is the oldest and third most expensive spice in the world. It produces very tiny pods.
Cardamom originated in the Indian subcontinent, but Guatemala, located in Central America, is the largest producer in the world.
Cardamom helps to stimulate metabolism and increase bile secretion, thereby enhancing digestion in the body.
Cardamom is used to get rid of bad breath.
Health benefits of Cardamom and why myAir bars contain it
1. Cardamom can help treat digestive disorders
For thousands of years, cardamom has been used to aid digestion. Cardamom is mixed with some medicinal spices and used to relieve nausea, discomfort, and vomiting. Another property of cardamom is that it can help relieve and heal stomach issues such as ulcers.
In a study, rats were fed cardamom extracts, sembung leaf, and turmeric soaked in hot water before exposure to high doses of aspirin to induce stomach ulcers. These rats developed fewer ulcers than those that received aspirin alone.
A similar study in rats found that cardamom extract alone could aid in lowering the size of gastric ulcers by at least 50%. Furthermore, cardamom extract consumed at 12.5 mg per kg of body weight was more effective than an anti-ulcer medication.
Test-tube research suggests that cardamom can guard against bacteria linked to the development of stomach ulcers.
Cardamom can help guard against digestive and stomach issues and reduce the number and size of stomach ulcers.
2. Cardamom can help lower high blood pressure
The presence of antioxidants in cardamom gives it the ability to lower high blood pressure levels in the body. In a study of 20 adults who were newly diagnosed with high blood pressure, researchers administered 3 grams of cardamom powder to the adults daily for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, the high blood pressure level had been lowered significantly to the normal level. The results obtained can be related to the presence of antioxidants in cardamom. Furthermore, the antioxidant status in the models increased by 90% at the end of the study.
Some researchers also suggest that cardamom has a diuretic effect on the body, which may help lower high blood pressure and enhance the urination of water that may build up in the body. Another study of rats also suggests that cardamom extract can increase urination and lower high blood pressure in rats.
Cardamom can help to lower high blood pressure because of its diuretic and antioxidant properties.
3. Cardamom can help to protect the body against chronic diseases
Cardamom possesses anti-inflammatory properties for which it can fight against chronic diseases in the body. Inflammation occurs when the body is exposed to foreign substances. Although acute inflammation is important and beneficial to the body, it may cause chronic diseases when it gets prolonged. However, the abundant presence of antioxidants in cardamom guards the cells against damage and inflammation.
A study of rats showed that cardamom extract administered to rats in doses of 50-100 mg per kg of bodyweight effectively hindered up to four different inflammatory compounds in the model.
Another study showed that when cardamom was induced in the rats’ diet by eating food rich in fat and carbs, there was a reduction in their liver inflammation.
The presence of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds in cardamom can help guard the cell against damage and prevent inflammation in the body.
4. Cardamom possesses antibacterial effects, which helps to treat infections
Cardamom can help to treat infections due to the antibacterial properties that it possesses. Research on cardamom shows that cardamom extracts and essential oils contain compounds that fight against many common strains of bacteria.
A test-tube study checked the impact of cardamom extracts on drug-resistant strains of Candida, yeast that can cause fungal infections. Results obtained show that cardamom extracts could hinder the growth of some strains by 0.39-0.59 inches.
Additionally, another test-tube research observed that cardamom extracts and essential oils were more effective than recommended standard drugs used to treat E. coli and Staphylococcus, bacteria that cause food poisoning.
Other test-tube studies also show that cardamom essential oils combat Campylobacter, which contributes to stomach inflammation and Salmonella bacteria, leading to food poisoning.
Cardamom extracts and essential oils can help fight against many bacterial strains that may enhance fungal infections, stomach issues, and food poisoning.
5. Cardamom can help to treat bad breath
Cardamom can be used as a remedy to treat bad breath and enhance oral health. In some cultures, cardamom pods are consumed after meals to freshen breath. Wrigley, a chewing gum manufacturer, uses cardamom in producing one of its products. cardamom can give a minty fresh breath because it fights against common mouth bacteria.
A study of cardamom found that cardamom extracts were effective in combating five bacteria that cause dental cavities. In some test-tube studies, cardamom extracts aided in preventing the growth of bacteria up to 0.82 inches. Additional research also suggests that cardamom extract can lower the number of bacteria in saliva samples by 54%.
Cardamom is commonly used in treating bad breath because it’s able to kill common mouth bacteria.
6. Cardamom can help to reduce high blood sugar levels in the body
Cardamom can be ground to powdered form and consumed to lower the high blood sugar level in the body.
A study in rats shows that feeding rats with a high-fat and high-carb (HFHC) diet made their blood sugar levels remain increased and prolonged than if they were fed a normal diet. When the rats were given cardamom powder, their blood sugar level remained elevated for a long time compared to the rats on a normal diet.
In a study of over 200 adults with high blood sugar levels, the people were divided into groups that consumed either just black tea or black tea with three grams of ginger, cardamom, or cinnamon daily for eight weeks. Results obtained show that cinnamon, but not cardamom or ginger, improved blood sugar control.
According to a study performed on rats, cardamom can help lower high blood sugar levels in the body.
7. Cardamom helps improve airflow and breathing
Cardamom contains compounds that can help to improve airflow to the lungs and enhance breathing. cardamom can be used in aromatherapy to produce an odor that improves the body’s ability to use oxygen during exercise.
A study of a group of people who inhaled cardamom essential oils for one minute before walking on a treadmill for 15-minute intervals showed a significant increase in their oxygen uptake compared to the control group. Cardamom can also help promote breathing and oxygen use by relaxing the airway, which can help treat asthma.
A study in rabbits and rats suggests that cardamom extract injections could relax air passage through the throat.
Cardamom can help boost breathing by relaxing air passage to the lungs and stimulating better oxygen uptake in humans.
Lastly, cardamom can also help treat many other disorders such as anxiety, liver enlargement, and weight loss.
Conclusion
Cardamom contains many anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties, which are responsible for the health benefits in man. Good news - myAir bars are packed with Cardamom!
Footnotes
Blood pressure-lowering, fibrinolysis enhancing, and antioxidant activities of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
S K Verma et al. Indian J Biochem Biophys. 2009 Dec.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20361714/
Antioxidants block angiotensin II-induced increases in blood pressure and endothelin
M C Ortiz et al. Hypertension. 2001 Sep.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11566950/
Gut modulatory, blood pressure-lowering, diuretic, and sedative activities of cardamom
Anwarul Hassan Gilani et al. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18037596/
In vitro investigation of the potential immunomodulatory and anti-cancer activities of black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
Amin F Majdalawieh et al. J Med Food. 2010 Apr.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20210607/
Inflammation in atherosclerosis
Peter Libby. Nature. 2002 Dec 19-26.
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Inflammatory links between obesity and metabolic disease
Carey N. Lumeng1,2 and Alan R. Saltiel2,3,4
Published June 1, 2011
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Inflammation, free radicals, and antioxidants
E M Conner et al. Nutrition. 1996 Apr.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8862535/
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Cardamom (Elettaria repens (Sonn.) Baill) and its phytochemical analysis by 4D GCXGC TOF-MS
Hemanth Kumar Kandikattu et al. Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Jul.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28458157/
Cardamom powder supplementation prevents obesity, improves glucose intolerance, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the liver of high carbohydrate high fat diet-induced obese rats
Md Mizanur Rahman, Mohammad Nazmul Alam, [...], and Md Ashraful Alam
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5557534/
Gastroprotective effects of the combination of hot water extracts of turmeric (Curcuma domestica L.), cardamom pods (Ammomum compactum S.), and sembung leaf (Blumea balsamifera DC.) against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer model in rats
Mutmainah et al. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2014 May
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25183139/
Gastroprotective effect of cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum Maton. fruits in rats
A Jamal et al. J'EThnopharmacol. 2006.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16298093/
In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders
Gail B Mahady et al. Phytother Res. 2005 Nov.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16317658/
Cardamom comfort
Ratika Sharma
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3353705/
Antimicrobial Activity of Amomum subulatum and Elettaria cardamomum Against Dental Caries Causing Microorganisms
January 2009
K R Aneja, Radhika Joshi
The Evaluation of the virulence factors of clinical Candida isolates and the anti-biofilm activity of Elettaria cardamomum against multi-drug resistant Candida albicans
P Vijayalakshmi et al. Curr Med Mycol. 2016 Jun.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28681014/
Antimicrobial activity of essential oil and various extracts of fruits of greater cardamom
Supriya Agnihotri et al. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2010 Sep.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21695005/
Cardamom, Cumin, and Dill Weed Essential Oils: Chemical Compositions, Antimicrobial Activities, and Mechanisms of Action against Campylobacter spp
Aysegul Mutlu-Ingok et al. Molecules. 2017.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28714890/
The Evaluation of the virulence factors of clinical Candida isolates and the anti-biofilm activity of Elettaria cardamomum against multi-drug resistant Candida albicans
P Vijayalakshmi, S Thenmozhi, and P Rajeswari
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5490299/
Effects of Cinnamon, Cardamom, Saffron, and Ginger Consumption on Markers of Glycemic Control, Lipid Profile, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Paria Azimi, Reza Ghiasvand, [...], and Behnoud Abbasi
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5397291/
EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF CARDAMOM AROMATHERAPY ON AEROBIC FITNESS & AUTONOMIC FUNCTIONS AMONG STUDENTS. 1 2 1
September 2011Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU 01(01/03)
DOI:10.1055/s-0040-1703515
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318534548_EVALUATION_OF_THE_EFFICACY_OF_CARDAMOM_AROMATHERAPY_ON_AEROBIC_FITNESS_AUTONOMIC_FUNCTIONS_AMONG_STUDENTS_1_2_1
Pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of cardamom in asthma
June 2011Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology 6(1)
DOI:10.3329/bjp.v6i1.8133