A recent study shows cumin may also help you finally burn off those extra pounds. Researchers in Iran wanted to know the effect of this ancient spice on body composition as well as blood fat levels.
They randomly assigned 88 overweight or obese women to one of two groups. Both groups followed a reduced calorie diet and received nutrition counseling. But one group ate yogurt with three grams of cumin twice a day. The other group ate plain yogurt.
After just three months, the cumin group members on average lost almost 50% more weight than the control group. They also decreased their body fat percentage by 14.64% or almost three times the control group’s loss.
The cumin group also lowered their body mass index and waist circumference significantly more than the control group.
The authors speculated that cumin’s weight loss benefits may come from its heat. It may temporarily increase metabolic rate.
Cumin also significantly reduced blood lipid levels. Triglycerides dropped 23 points compared to only five points in the control group.