How Cumin Adds to A Healthy Lifestyle
It is important to note that all the benefits described below were found in association with black cumin and not other types.
Cumin and Cancer
Animal and test tube studies show very promising cancer preventative effects of supplementing cumin.
- The majority of cumin’s cancer preventative properties come from the compound thymoquinone, which can be found in the seed as well as the oil of the plant.
- Thymoquinone disrupts cancer development, growth, and spread by inducing cell death of cancer cells. Preventing growth and spread is the most important part of cancer survival; as the cancer grows and spreads, survival rates drop dramatically. Cumin supplementation is a promising strategy for cancer prevention and management. (1)
- Thymoquinone has been shown to induce cell death in blood, colon and pancreatic cancers, while supplementation of whole cumin in extract form induces death in breast, lung, and liver cancer cells. (2)
- Thymoquinone disrupts cancer development, growth, and spread by inducing cell death of cancer cells. Preventing growth and spread is the most important part of cancer survival; as the cancer grows and spreads, survival rates drop dramatically. Cumin supplementation is a promising strategy for cancer prevention and management. (1)
How Cumin Prevents Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Factors associated with poor cardiovascular health are high total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high arterial blood pressure. One study showed that individuals given 2g of cumin daily for one year improved these risk factors of heart disease. (3)
- Studies have shown best results in patients with mild dysfunction rather than severe markers. This shows that cumin can prevent cardiovascular disease but not manage pre-existent diagnoses. (4)
Cumin and Alzheimer's
Alzheimer’s is a disease that is growing in prevalence in the United States. Symptoms include reductions in cognition and memory, and, at a cellular level, the accumulation of amyloid beta plaques in neurons. (5)
- One study on healthy humans showed improved memory, cognition, and attention in those supplemented with black cumin, suggesting it is a worthwhile resource for Alzheimer’s prevention. (6)
- Thymoquinone supplementation in rats helped to break up amyloid beta aggregation in neurons. (7)
More studies are needed to confirm these results.
Cumin Promotes Provides a Number of Health Benefits
Cumin Combats Foodborne Illnesses
Cumin has been shown to have antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties that help protect against diseases like E. coli and salmonella poisoning. (8)
Cumin Supports Digestion
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a major issue in America, affecting between 25 and 45 million Americans. A study conducted using cumin extract showed improvement in IBS symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, incomplete defecation, fecal urgency, and presence of mucus discharge in stool. (9)
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