The benefits of cardamom are not only to add flavor to dishes. The nutritional content in this distinctive flavored spice can also maintain endurance, control blood pressure, overcome digestive problems, prevent bad breath, and even fight cancer cells.

Cardamom is a type of spice that originated in India. However, this plant can also be found in almost all countries.

This spice, which has the Latin name Elettaria cardamomum, has a savory and slightly sweet taste. This makes cardamom often used as a flavor and aroma enhancer in cooking.

The advantages of cardamom are not only limited to its good taste, but the nutrients contained in it are quite a lot, such as protein, carbohydrates, fiber, manganese, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. Thanks to these nutrients, cardamom can provide a variety of health benefits.

A Series of Health Benefits of Cardamom

Cardamom is not only available in grain form, but also in powder, essential oil, and even herbal supplements. The following are some of the health benefits of cardamom that you need to know:

1. Controls blood pressure

The first benefit of cardamom is to lower and control blood pressure. This benefit is obtained from its abundant antioxidant and potassium content. Based on research, cardamom has a diuretic effect that can reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension.

2. Prevents chronic diseases

In addition to keeping blood pressure normal, the antioxidant content in cardamom is also useful for protecting body cells from free radical damage.

Not only that, cardamom also has anti-inflammatory compounds that can fight inflammation. Both of these ingredients can reduce the risk of chronic diseases if consumed regularly.

3. Overcoming digestive problems

A study states that cardamom extract mixed with other herbal ingredients is thought to be able to overcome digestive problems, ranging from dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, to gastric ulcers.

4. Treat bacterial infections

The next benefit of cardamom is treating bacterial infections. A study shows that cardamom essential oil and extract contain compounds that can fight several types of bacteria, such as E. coli, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, and Campylobacter.

5. Maintains the immune system

Cardamom contains a number of nutrients that can maintain the immune system, such as protein, vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc. By consuming cardamom, you will not get sick easily.

6. Prevents bad breath and cavities

Cardamom is also known for its benefits in preventing bad breath. Not only that, chewing this spice is also known to make your breath fresher. Moreover, thanks to the antibacterial compounds in it, cardamom is also thought to be effective in preventing cavities.

7. Maintain muscle and nerve health

The potassium content in cardamom is quite high. This mineral plays a role in maintaining electrolyte balance in the body, so that the body’s nerves and muscles can function properly. That way, muscle and nerve health will be maintained.

8. Maintains heart health

Cardamom contains a number of nutrients that are good for heart health, such as fiber, magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium. In addition, the antioxidant content in cardamom can protect the heart from free radicals and inflammation so that you will avoid heart disease.

9. Fights cancer cells

The compounds in cardamom can activate enzymes and immune cells that are useful for fighting cancer cells. This spice is believed to suppress malignancy in breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, and stomach cancer.

Seeing the many health benefits of cardamom, there is no harm if from now on you include cardamom in cooking spices or consume it in the form of supplements.