Ceylon Cumin Seeds (සූදුරු)

Cumin is the second most popular spice in the world. There are two basic varieties of cumin, black and yellow. The yellow-brown seeds grow on a small herb belonging to the parsley family. They are used roasted and ground due to their earthy, distinctive taste and aroma to add flavor to certain curries which have been brought to Sri Lanka by the ancient Arab and Indian settlers. The black cumin is the sweeter variety used in dessert dishes and various alcoholic liqueurs.

BENEFITS OF CONSUMING CUMIN

Cumin seeds’ health benefits mainly come from their phytochemicals, which are touted to have carminative, antioxidant, and anti-flatulent properties. They’re also an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins A, E, B, and C, and antioxidant carotene lutein and zeaxanthin. Health-promoting minerals in cumin include:

·         Iron and copper: both minerals are essential for red blood cell production and formation.

·         Zinc: It’s a co-factor that’s needed by enzymes that work to regulate digestion, growth and development, and nucleic acid synthesis.

·         Potassium: A crucial component of cells and body fluids, and is necessary for controlling blood pressure and heart rate.

·         Manganese: A co-factor for superoxide dismutase, which is a powerful antioxidant enzyme.

Considering its small size, it’s absolutely impressive that cumin benefits your overall health, and may even help alleviate ailments, such as:

• Stress: A 2011 animal study published in the Pharmaceutical Biology journal found that cumin helped inhibit stress-induced biochemical changes in rats, which also improved their memory and cognition. According to the study authors:

• Respiratory disorders: Its anti-congestive effects may be beneficial for people with asthma and bronchitis. This spice also works as an expectorant that loosens mucus and phlegm in the respiratory tract

• Sleeping disorder: One curious characteristic of cumin is that although it’s a stimulant, it can also work as a relaxant, making it potentially helpful for alleviating insomnia.

• Diabetes: Research is still ongoing, but animal studies found that cumin may help reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. The test subjects who were given cumin seeds had a sharp decline in hypoglycemia, as well as a decrease in glycosuria.

• Cancer: Cumin may have anticancer properties, as it stimulates the secretion of chemopreventive and detoxifying enzymes from the glands