Cardamom is known to us primarily as an aromatic spice, widely used in cooking. Because of its noble aroma, cardamom is also called the royal spice. In addition to its excellent taste, cardamom has great healing powers. Let's take a closer look at how cardamom is useful for weight loss.
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Beneficial properties of cardamom
- Improves the condition of the digestive system, reduces bloating and heartburn.
- Enhances metabolism, helping the body burn extra calories faster.
- Used as an adjuvant in the treatment of nervous disorders, helps cope with colds, fever and diseases of the genitourinary tract.
- It relieves nausea and is considered a good antispasmodic and antiseptic.
- Cardamom essential oil stimulates brain activity, reduces headaches, and treats depression.
- Cleanses the body of toxins and relieves swelling.
- An auxiliary component in the treatment of cystitis and pyelonephritis.
- It is useful to use in small doses daily for intestinal irritation.
- Neutralizes pathogenic microflora of the oral cavity; chewing cardamom seeds can get rid of bad breath.
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What is the spice valued for?
Housewives add a pinch of the substance to their dishes, but this is enough to give the food a special color, taste and smell. 100 g of spicy-hot spice contains 229 kcal. Cardamom is used in a variety of industries, justifying its wide range of benefits. In nutrition, the substance shows excellent results in the fight for weight loss, as it enhances metabolism, eliminates bloating, eliminates heartburn and normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
If we consider the possibilities and the composition itself, cardamom has the following beneficial properties for weight loss:
- Relieving swelling and removing toxins from the body;
- Relieves nausea, relieves pain and is an antiseptic;
- It is considered a second-line medicine in the treatment of pyelonephritis and cystitis;
- Used in the treatment of nervous disorders and depression;
- Stimulates brain activity;
- Removes headaches;
- Reduces intestinal irritation;
- Eliminates unpleasant oral odor;
- Neutralizes pathogenic microflora due to antibacterial properties.
Appearance: The pods are small in size and white in color. The shape of its edges resembles triangles, and in the middle there are small grains. Used as a seasoning for meat and vegetable dishes, and included as an additional ingredient in many soft drinks and coffee drinks. Various baked goods are incomplete without cardamom.
The unique substance contains many B vitamins, as well as useful substances (protein, amidone, terpinyl acetate, terpineol and cineole).
The spice tones and saturates with energy due to the content of iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium.
Does cardamom help you lose weight?
For lovers of strong coffee in the morning, nutritionists recommend adding a few cardamom grains to your coffee. The spice will not only improve the taste of the coffee drink, but also reduce the harmful effects of caffeine on the body.
The process of losing weight will go faster if, in addition to cardamom, you add a little cinnamon to your morning coffee. By doing this, you will not only improve digestion, but also reduce glucose levels and improve metabolism, which is necessary to reduce excess weight.
And to more effectively fight extra pounds, you can use cardamom in tandem with cinnamon and red pepper.
Along with mustard and ginger, this spice helps improve digestion, remove waste, toxins and excess fluid from the body, and cleanse the intestinal microflora.
In addition, the spice relieves constipation, strengthens the immune system and generally has a positive effect on the body.
Of course, if you consume only cardamom and do nothing else, you are unlikely to lose weight, but if you combine it with healthy food and regular exercise, the effect will not take long to appear.
It is also worth remembering that the spice must be taken regularly, only in this case its beneficial properties will help normalize weight.
Benefits for weight loss
This property of cardamom was noticed back in the days of ancient India, when healers used the substance to treat many pathologies. The spice occupies a special place in weight loss, because proper use can speed up the metabolic process several times. For better effect, cardamom is combined with cinnamon, which lowers the concentration of glucose in the blood, and with red pepper (hot). The latter perfectly burns fat deposits and also starts metabolism.
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Due to the fact that cardamom has a positive effect on the functioning of the gallbladder and kidneys, preventing stones from forming in them, it is excellent at fighting fat deposits. The spice removes toxins and excess fluid, improves bowel movements, and relieves swelling. When losing weight, the psychological aspect is important, so cardamom is great for this aspect:
- Eliminates nervousness;
- Removes the effects of stress;
- Calms frayed nerves;
- Positively affects mood.
To combat excess weight, both the spice itself and its essential oils are used. To start the patient’s metabolism, it is enough to sprinkle all dishes with cardamom seeds. This action greatly affects the craving for sweet foods, reducing it and thereby promoting weight loss.
A special combination is observed when adding seasoning in the form of beans to strong coffee. Cardamom neutralizes the harmful effects of caffeine on the body, improves its taste, and eliminates the risk of increased heart rate and blood pressure. And if you combine the spice, coffee and cinnamon, you can start metabolism and reduce glucose levels. Such combinations cleanse the intestines, eliminate constipation and strengthen human defenses.
It is important to understand that eating spices will not bring a quick and desired effect.
To lose weight, you need to regularly and correctly combine cardamom with other seasonings, drinks and dishes.
But even this will not help if a person does not lead an active healthy life, including daily physical activity in his action plan.
What products does it combine with?
Both whole and ground cardamom goes well with almost any dish. It gives special piquancy to meat and fish.
When preparing hot drinks, it can be combined with chicory, red pepper, cloves, cinnamon, mint and ginger, which help enhance its effect.
Tea with cinnamon and cardamom reduces glucose levels, so it is very useful for people suffering from diabetes.
Tea with the addition of ginger and mint helps to quickly burn excess calories and enhances metabolism.
A drink made from cloves, black pepper and ginger also effectively burns fat and removes toxins from the body.
- You should not combine the spice with vegetable oil, as it will neutralize all its beneficial properties.
How to choose cardamom, which one is better
Cardamom comes in two varieties - green (smaller) and black (larger).
Regardless of size and color, both varieties have exactly the same properties and value. In cooking she uses both green and black cardamom. They differ not only in taste, but also in smell.
- Green has a specific, pronounced aroma, so it must be used with great care. It is native to India and Malaysia. When choosing cardamom beans, you need to pay attention to the fact that its boxes are tightly closed and their color is green. To combat extra pounds, nutritionists advise choosing green cardamom.
- Black has a fresh, delicate taste and aroma that develops best after a certain period of time. It grows in tropical Asia and Australia and has larger, darker-colored fruits.
- For weight loss, you can use either whole or ground cardamom, while ground cardamom is most often added to hot drinks such as tea or coffee.
The spice must be stored in an airtight container, otherwise its aroma will quickly dissipate, and along with it, the beneficial substances will go away.
How to take cardamom for weight loss
Add a few cardamom grains to the coffee (about half the contents of the box)
Cardamom can be added to a variety of dishes.
In France it is added to liqueurs, in Germany it is an invariable component of the famous Lebküchen gingerbread. In the east, spice is added not only to main dishes, but also to desserts.
Therefore, a person who dreams of improving digestion just needs to regularly add the spice to his favorite dishes.
It is better to add whole grains to fatty and high-calorie foods; ground cardamom can be used for baking aromatic baked goods, first courses and drinks.
To improve digestion, you can simply eat a few seeds before meals.
Morning coffee with a pinch of ground spice not only tones and refreshes, but also promotes weight loss. To prepare an aromatic drink, ¼ teaspoon of ground spice is enough.
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How to use cardamom for medicinal purposes
Like an antiseptic
Boil a tablespoon of spice in 200 ml of water for half an hour. The prepared decoction has antibacterial properties and is used to gargle for colds, stomatitis, and sore throat.
To improve digestion
Often after a feast we feel a heaviness in our stomach and dream of getting rid of it as quickly as possible. Ginger tea brewed with cardamom and cloves will not only speed up the digestion process, but also relieve hangovers.
For insomnia
Pour 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom into 250 ml. Boil water and simmer for 10 minutes. Drink warm one hour before meals.
For cellulite
Cardamom essential oil - 10 drops Tea tree oil - 10 drops Olive oil - 40 g
Mix all components and apply in circular massage movements to areas of cellulite formation.
For taking a bath
To reduce the formation of cellulite and improve blood circulation, you can add spice to salt baths.
For a standard bath you need 1 kg of sea salt and half a liter of cardamom decoction (1/2 liter of water + 2 tablespoons of spice).
Such baths should be taken for no more than 15-20 minutes and preferably in underwear, as the spice can cause irritation of the mucous membrane.
Elimination of unpleasant odor and nausea
When chewed, the spice seeds not only freshen breath, but also serve as a preventative against caries. If you have trouble with traveling in public transport, chewing cardamom seeds can reduce nausea.
To improve vision
Take 1 teaspoon of honey with five cardamom grains daily.
Anti-dandruff
You can rinse your hair with a decoction of cardamom to reduce oiliness and fight dandruff.
Medicinal recipes
It’s easy to overcome obesity at home if you go for a run in the morning, take a contrast shower and refresh yourself with a cup of aromatic cardamom tea. This drink will not only start metabolic processes, but will also become an excellent fat-burning agent. To prepare the drink you need: green tea and spice seeds. Send 2 tsp. tea and 1 tsp. cardamom into a small teapot, pour boiling water (250 ml). Infuse with the lid closed for 20 minutes, after which you can pour into a cup.
For a visible effect, you need to drink tea for 3-4 weeks. Be sure to drink this aromatic drink before your main meal.
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For coffee lovers, the following recipe for an invigorating liquid is suitable. Pour 1 tsp into the Turk. ground cardamom, add half the same portion of cinnamon and add a tablespoon of your favorite type of coffee. To fill with water. Place on the stove and bring to a boil, remove and wait 1 minute, then repeat the procedure 3-4 times.
During the day, you can replenish your vitamin reserves with a soft drink. You should prepare 1.5 liters of boiling water, 1 tsp. ground cardamom and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix all ingredients in a container and set aside to infuse. After the liquid has cooled, add 1 tbsp for taste. l. honey, lovers of freshness place 3-4 ground mint leaves in a container. Strain and cool.
Recipes with cardamom for weight loss
The easiest way to use cardamom for weight loss is drinking therapy :
To do this, pour one teaspoon of whole grains with boiling water (250 g) and leave for twenty minutes under a closed lid.
The resulting drink is taken four times a day 20-30 minutes before meals. Duration of treatment – no more than 14 days.
Green tea with cardamom
Green tea - 1 tea. lie Cardamom – 10 grains Boiling water – 250 g
Cardamom and green tea are thermogenics. Cardamom helps digestion, and green tea inhibits the absorption of fats, increasing metabolic processes.
Tea with cardamom and ginger
Whole black pepper - 4 peas Water - 2 liters Cardamom - 2 pods Cinnamon - 5 small sticks Fresh ginger - 4 slices Black tea - 5 spoons. Honey – 1 tbsp. lie
Pour all the ingredients (except black tea and honey) into boiling water and boil over low heat for 30 minutes. Then add black tea, set aside from heat and let steep for 10 minutes. Then add honey. For weight loss, drink 250 g of tea after meals.
The tea drink has a number of medicinal properties, and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and ginger make it especially useful for those who want to lose weight. For more effective weight loss, combine tea with diet and active physical activity.
Refreshing drink
Boiling water - 1.5 liters Juice of 1 lemon Cardamom - 1 teaspoon Mint - 1 bunch Honey - to taste
Combine finely chopped mint leaves with the juice of one lemon, add cardamom and add boiling water. After the drink has cooled to room temperature, you can add honey or stevia. This illuminating drink will quench your thirst well on a hot summer day.
Effects of cardamom tea and contraindications
In Ayurveda, cardamom is used for all Doshas, but its effect depends on the foods we eat it with. Thus, consuming cardamom with oil can promote weight gain and strengthen the body. In the Western tradition, the effect of cardamom is explained by the fact that it actually enhances the production of digestive juices, as a result, food is absorbed more efficiently, and a person is satisfied with smaller portions. Any tincture with this spice contains a large amount of essential oils. When they hit the taste buds, they somewhat “stun” the body, and tastes are perceived differently.
You should realize that you will lose weight due to a natural reduction in portions and improved digestion. Well, if you continue with your usual eating style, tea with cardamom will not help. Due to its rich flavor range, the drink somewhat dampens the craving for sweets and spices, and this should be used when restructuring your diet. Teas with this spice are contraindicated for those who have gastritis or other inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract. An allergic reaction to the spice is possible, so if you feel cold symptoms or have a headache after drinking the drink for the first time, it is better to look for another recipe. If everything is in order, cardamom tea without adding laxative herbs will perfectly diversify your diet.
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How much can you add to coffee or tea?
Under no circumstances should you eat large amounts of spices. The permissible dose is 1/4 tea. lie per day (in ground form).
- Add a few cardamom seeds to one cup of coffee (about half the contents of the box). In order for the grains to release all their natural aroma, they need to be crushed and added at the beginning of preparing the drink.
- Cardamom is added to tea at the rate of 1 box per 1 liter of boiling water. When brewing tea leaves, cardamom seeds must be removed from the box, crushed, and added to the teapot along with the box.
- Cardamom seeds brewed in a cup of tea will impart a faint aroma. The true notes of cardamom are revealed gradually. Therefore, to enjoy all the natural gift of the spice, use only standard brewing of the leaf, in a teapot.
When purchasing spices, make sure that the seed pods are intact and not cracked. Otherwise, the grains will partially lose their aroma and properties.
Who shouldn't drink cardamom?
Despite the fact that cardamom is a very useful spice, not everyone can use it. Its use is contraindicated:
- Nursing mothers
- During pregnancy
- For gastric ulcers, since essential oils can trigger a relapse of the disease.
- People prone to allergic reactions.
In conclusion, I will say that cardamom is only an auxiliary ingredient for weight loss. But if you combine this spice with dietary nutrition and exercise, then believe me, the effect will be magnificent and you can significantly reduce your weight.
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Cardamom: harm and contraindications
Based on the above, we can conclude that cardamom is useful for healing the body and promotes weight loss.
You must be careful and use the spice in small doses, especially if you have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Individual intolerance to the spice is possible. If, when taking it, you feel a deterioration in your health, headache, or cold symptoms, it is better to abandon it and find a more suitable remedy.
