Cardamom Powder

Health Benefits of Cardamom, Backed by Science

1. Antioxidant and Diuretic Properties May Lower Blood Pressure

• Cardamom may be helpful for people with high blood pressure.
• In one study, researchers gave three grams of cardamom powder a day to 20 adults who were newly diagnosed with high blood pressure. After 12 weeks, blood pressure levels had significantly decreased to the normal range
• The promising results of this study may be related to the high levels of antioxidants in cardamom. In fact, the participants’ antioxidant status had increased by 90% by the end of the study. Antioxidants have been linked to lower blood pressure
• Researchers also suspect that the spice may lower blood pressure due to its diuretic effect, meaning it can promote urination to remove water that builds up in your body, for example around your heart.

2. May Contain Cancer-Fighting Compounds

• The compounds in cardamom may help fight cancer cells.
• Studies in mice have shown that cardamom powder can increase the activity of certain enzymes that help fight cancer
• The spice may also enhance the ability of natural killer cells to attack tumors
• In one study, researchers exposed two groups of mice to a compound that causes skin cancer and fed one group 500 mg of ground cardamom per kg (227 mg per pound) of weight per day

3. May Protect from Chronic Diseases Thanks to Anti-Inflammatory Effects

• Cardamom is rich in compounds that may fight inflammation.
• Inflammation occurs when your body is exposed to foreign substances. Acute inflammation is necessary and beneficial, but long-term inflammation can lead to chronic diseases
• Antioxidants, found in abundance in cardamom, protect cells from damage and stop inflammation from occurring

4. May Help with Digestive Problems, Including Ulcers

• Cardamom has been used for thousands of years to help with digestion.
• It’s often mixed with other medicinal spices to relieve discomfort, nausea and vomiting
• The most researched property of cardamom, as it pertains to relieving stomach issues, is its possible ability to heal ulcers.
• In one study, rats were fed extracts of cardamom, turmeric and sembung leaf in hot water before being exposed to high doses of aspirin to induce stomach ulcers. These rats developed fewer ulcers compared to rats that only received aspirin