Elaichi must be on the top of your worst foods list, as it must have ruined your biryani at least once. But trust me this little culprit is not that bad after all. It may have been guilty of some crimes against the divine biryani experience but it has been the savior of your chai and kheer innumerable times. Not only this, the much despised bite of biryani with elaichi might have ruined the taste but it provided you several health benefits. Forgiving this little culprit for all the biryanis it has ruined, it’s time for you to learn the innumerable health benefits.
Elaichi known as cardamom in English is a spice native to India. Fortunately, it is now available across the globe for people to enjoy all the elaichi benefits. The queen of spices cardamom or elaichi is known for its rich aroma and amazing notes of distinct flavor. It usually lends its aroma and taste to various sweet and savory recipes. Cardamom seeds, stems, and pods have been used in Ayurveda medicines for ages.
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Have you ever wondered why your grandmother always had a few elaichies in her bag? Maybe she knew better than you and understood all the elaichi benefits.
Nutritional Value of Elaichi
Cardamom is loaded with several vitamins and minerals. These little bullets can provide you the best nutrition with negligible calories. According to the USDA (US Department of Agriculture), one tablespoon of ground cardamom contains the following.
| Calories | 18 |
| Total fat | 0.4 grams (g) |
| Carbohydrates | 4.0 g |
| Fiber | 1.6 g |
| Protein | 0.6 g |
| Potassium | 64.9 milligrams (mg) |
| Calcium | 22.2 mg |
| Iron | 0.81 mg |
| Magnesium | 13.3 mg |
| Phosphorus | 10.3 mg |
With its few calories and abundant micronutrients, cardamom provides you nothing but great nutritional benefits.
Elaichi Benefits
Here are all the elaichi benefits that will make you want to throw a few in your purse too.
1. Elaichi Aids Digestion
You must have seen people popping an elaichi or tow in their mouths after every meal. Well, that is because it aids digestion. The positive effect of elaichi on your digestive system is probably one of the most prominent elaichi benefits. Not only can it relieve stomach issues it can treat ulcers too.
cardamom owes its stomach-friendly properties to an essential oil called menthone. It helps in alleviating stomach issues like flatulence, nausea, acidity, indigestion, and cramps.
According to a study conducted on rats, rats fed with cardamom, turmeric, and sembung leaf in hot water before being exposed to aspirin to develop stomach ulcers, developed fewer ulcers compared to other rats. Another study indicates that cardamom extract alone can reduce the size of gastric ulcers by at least 50%, in rats.
2. Elaichi Benefits For Weight loss
Cardamom can help you detoxify your body and regulate your gut activity. Both of these are essential if you are seeking weight loss. While cardamom may not do wonders for your body and burn all your belly overnight, it for sure can support your other weight loss efforts and help you achieve your goal more efficiently.
A study conducted on overweight women found a link between cardamom consumption and light reduces waist circumference. Cardamom helps get rid of the accumulated fat in the abdominal region. Fat settles around the belly puts you at risk of a range of metabolic and cardiovascular problems.
According to the “Healing Foods“ cardamom is an effective digestive stimulant and diuretic. It can boost your metabolism and help your body burn fat faster. Elaichi is also said to reduce bloating or indigestion. It fights the bad bacteria and balances the gut flora to enable healthy digestion, which too is a must to lose weight. Elaichi can also reduce water retention significantly and helps the body flush out all the toxins. The melatonin in elaichi also aids weight loss.
3. Elaichi May Lower Your Blood Pressure
If you have hypertension or notice surges of blood pressure, it high time that you start keeping a few elaichies with you. Cardamom can lower blood pressure due to its diuretic effect. It can promote urination to remove the extra water and salts that retain the water in the body. It helps remove the water that builds up around the organs like the heart. Cardamom extract has been shown to increase urination and decrease blood pressure in rats too.
According to one study in particular three grams of cardamom powder were given to adults who had been recently diagnosed with hypertension. After 12 weeks a significant drop in their blood pressure was noted. Elaichi may owe its blood pressure lowering quality to the antioxidants present in it. Consuming elaichi for 12 weeks can increase the antioxidant amount in the body by 90%.
4. Treats Bad Breath And Fights Cavities
Elaichi has potent antimicrobial properties. this property can help you maintain good oral hygiene and keep bad breath at bay. Cineole is a phytochemical present in cardamom oil. It is a potent antiseptic known for killing the bacteria that cause bad breath and cavities. It can also prevent your from periodontal infections.
Using cardamom to treat bad breath as a remedy old as time. Even a lot of chewing gums offer cardamom flavor. Cardamom fights the five basic bacteria that cause bad odor and some other dental problems like cavities.
5. Elaichi benefits For Hair
Cardamom is a panacea to overcome many hair problems. It contains many anti-fungal and anti-bacterial elements. It is used in many home remedies with the promise of making your hair long, thick and shiny. It can strengthen your hair by removing dandruff and dirt from the scalp. Cardamom can help you in the following ways.
- It removes the dirt from the scalp.
- It makes the hair follicle strong and prevents hair fall and breakage.
- Elaichi can strengthen your hair roots.
- Directly applying cardamom on your hair or taking cardamom regularly will make your air shiny and strong.
If you really want to use cardamom to achieve your desired locks it is best to use it at least once a week along with other good ingredients like egg, oils, and yogurt.
6. Elaichi Can Protect Your From Chronic Diseases
Cardamom is loaded with inflammation fighting compounds. This property can keep you away from a number of chronic diseases. Inflammation usually occurs when your body is exposed to foreign substances like bacteria or fungus. Keep in mind that mild inflammation is vital to maintain proper health but long-term inflammation can lead to chronic disease. The abundant antioxidants present in cardamom can protect your cells from damage and stop inflammation from occurring.
A study conducted on rats showed that a dosage of 50-100 mg per kg of bodyweight of cardamom extract was effective in fighting at least four different inflammatory compounds. Cardamom is also effective in reducing liver inflammation induced by eating an unhealthy diet that is high in carbs and fats. In humans, cardamom supplements can increase the antioxidant status up to 90%.
7. Elaichi Can Prevent Cancer
Certain compounds in cardamom can prevent cancer. Cardamom can increase the activity of certain enzymes that help fight cancer. Research carried out on human cancer cells shows that cardamom strongly protects the cells against cancer. Similarly, a certain compound in elaichi can prevent oral cancer.
It is important to know that even the results are promising, most of the studies are carried out on mice or in test tubes. But largely a strong association between cardamom and cancer preventions can be deduced.
Cardamom Side Effect
Cardamom is generally safe to use. It is usually used in cooking and baking, that too in very little quantity. this little quantity will cause no harm but mind you that it wonts show any significant benefits either.
In case of cardamom supplements, there is no recommended dosage. Usually, the potency of these supplements is 400-500 mg. Although there are no reposted side effects of cardamom supplements, it is advised to consult a nutritionist before.
Easy Ways To Take Elaichi
Here are some of the easiest ways to consume cardamom and reap maximum benefits.
Elaichi Tea
This can be a great way to digest all you ate after a heavy meal. not only it soothes the stomach, it promises great taste and a relaxing effect. Cardamom tea or cardamom with water at night reduces bloating and will help you enjoy a sound sleep.
Elaichi Juice
Elaichi juice can offer you a number of health benefits provided that it has no added sugar. Cardamom is naturally sweet adding heaps of sugar to make it even sweeter will mask all its health benefits and will wreak havoc on your hormonal system. The benefits of pure elaichi juice can exceed the elaichi benefits.
Elaichi Milk
This to-die-for combination not only provides amazing taste and nutrition, but it can also be really calming and soothing. The smell alone can relax your nerves.
What To Do?
Considering elaichi has no reported side effects and offers nothing but several health benefits, I see no reason to not take it daily. Make elaichi a part of your daily recipes and reap the elaichi benefits and take supplements. Make sure to consult the Best dietitian in Lahore before you take cardamom supplements or extracts.
FAQs
1. What are the health benefits of Elaichi?
Elaichi can aid weight loss, manage high blood pressure and prevent you from chronic diseases.
2. What are the benefits of drinking Elaichi water every day?
Drinking elaichi water every day will help you reap all the benefits of elaichi, such as weight loss, controlled blood pressure and prevention of cancer and chronic disease.
3. Difference between choti elaichi and bari elaichi?
The green and black cardamom, commonly known as choti and bari elaichi respectively, are quite different in taste and appearance. The choti elaichi is the one you commonly use in your chai and handi. the bari elaichi has a more smoky taste and is rarely used in some handis.
4. What are the benefits of using large cardamom?
The large cardamom commonly known as black cardamom and bari elaichi are the same as choti elaichi benefits.
5. What are the benefits of drinking cardamom milk?
Cardamom milk is an excellent source of potassium, calcium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, and magnesium. It can be used as an antiseptic, diuretic and digestive aid.
6. Are there any side effects of eating elaichi?
There are no reported side effects of eating elaichi.
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