Caraway (Carum carvi) is a plant native to West Asia, Europe, and North Africa and prefers warm, sunny weather Caraway produces a small fruit called the wrong seed. These seeds are the most commonly used part of the plant and they are popular as a cooking spice, bringing the typical licorice flavor of the soil to soups, stews, and more often than baked goods (you can recognize them from rye bread). Like many other aromatic plants, caraway is often used for medicinal purposes. Indeed, caraway seeds have been used since ancient times to treat various medical problems in traditional healing systems, including Ayurveda. Their use as a digestive aid was first mentioned in an Egyptian text on herbal knowledge dating to about 1550 BC. With a dense supply of antioxidants, Caraway seeds are gaining interest with many health benefits.
1. The active ingredient in Caraway
✅ It has a strong, pungent, and aromatic flavor. This is due to the presence of compounds like limonene, carvone, and anethole. They are often used whole in desserts, salads, soups, stews, and baked goods. The seeds’ essential oils are also extracted and used in many commercial products, typically drugs and alcohol. Not only that, but caraway seeds are also a traditional herb and spice, rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, B vitamins, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium. Here are a few benefits them may not have known about.
- Rich in vitamin A: Vitamin A is an important source of beta-carotene, a natural antioxidant. Vitamin A is important for maintaining eyesight as well as for healthy skin and mucous membranes. Just 100g of caraway provides 257% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin A.
- Low in calories and without cholesterol: Caraway has no cholesterol and very little calories. On the other hand, dill has lots of antioxidants like pyridoxine and niacin and fiber that help control cholesterol levels in the body.
- Flavonoids: Flavonoids are ingredients that act as antioxidants. Caraway has four types of flavonoids, including quercetin. Quercetin helps prevent free radicals in the body and reduce inflammation. In addition, this ingredient may help fight cancer.
2. Top 4 Caraway seeds benefits
2.1 Caraway seeds benefits: Supports digestive health
✅ In the middle ages, people consumed caraway as a digestive aid after the party to prevent flatulence and other digestive problems. This is due in part to their high fiber content. Just one tablespoon provides 2.5 grams of fiber. Fiber travels through the digestive tract very slowly and helps to add bulk to the stool to reduce constipation. Studies show that increasing your fiber intake may aid in the treatment of constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and intestinal ulcers. In another study, volatile oils derived from this group of plants, including carvol and carvene, has been found to soothe the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, relieve spasms, and help release air. And at the same time, it also helps to relieve pain for patients with this disease.
✅ Although caraway is effective when used alone, it tends to provide more relief when used in combination with peppermint and other herbs. For example, when looking at 17 randomized clinical trials, nine of which were associated with peppermint and caraway, up to 95% of patients reported improved symptoms of indigestion. In another trial, people with indigestion took capsules of peppermint and caraway oil or a placebo twice daily, in the morning, and at dinner. The peppermint oil-caraway group reported significant improvements in abdominal pain and discomfort compared to the placebo group.
2.2 Caraway seeds benefits: Support weight loss
✅ Caraway seeds can be a great addition to a healthy diet to help curb cravings, reduce appetite, and gain weight with the least amount of effort required. According to a 2013 study published in the journal Evidence Supplement and Alternative Medicine, supplementing with caraway extract for 90 days resulted in a significant reduction in participants’ weight and body fat, even when there aren’t any other changes in diet or exercise. Another study with similar results reported the consumption of 30 ml of caraway extract led to a significant reduction in appetite, carbohydrate intake, and body weight after only 90 days.
2.3 Caraway seeds benefits: Blood sugar balance
✅ Some research suggests that adding caraway seeds to your diet can help regulate blood sugar. Caraway seeds are a great source of fiber. Fiber can have a powerful effect on blood sugar control and can help slow blood sugar absorption to keep blood sugar levels stable. In fact, an animal model in Morocco shows that administering caraway seed extract for diabetic rats is effective in lowering blood sugar levels.
2.4 Caraway seeds benefits: Fight off cancer cells
✅ Caraway seeds contain a high concentration of antioxidants, which are powerful compounds that help neutralize free radicals and reduce the risk of chronic disease. Thanks to its rich antioxidant content, caraway seeds are said to have strong anti-cancer properties. A study in India showed that caraway extract is effective in improving antioxidant status. It also prevents the formation of lesions in mice with colon cancer. Another animal study also found that the consumption of this particle helps prevent the growth of new tumor cells.
3. The note when using Caraway
When using products that contain Caraway, you should note the following:
- Caraway oil can also cause heartburn, heartburn, and nausea when used with peppermint oil. Topical medications can cause hives and itching in people with sensitive skin.
- Because caraway can lower blood sugar levels, people with diabetes should be cautious when consuming their high intake.
- Caraway can cause difficulties and affect blood sugar control. You should stop taking Caraway at least 2 weeks before surgery.
- Do not use Caraway during pregnancy because it can cause uterine dilatation. Also, do not use the drug for nursing mothers, or for children.
- Caraway can increase iron absorption. Taking too much caraway with iron supplements or foods containing iron can increase iron levels in the body.
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🎁 Food to Live | Caraway Seeds
✅ Food to Live offers 100% natural Anise Seeds free from any additives. Food to Live Anise Seeds is premium-quality and full of the incredibly spicy aroma. Traditionally, Caraway Seeds are used as ingredients in many dishes: soups, cheese, salads, and pastry. You can use them in the following ways:
- Add caraway seeds to baked products – rye bread, dumplings, and scones.
- Saute vegetables with a pinch of the seeds or combine the seeds with cheese dips.
- Use caraway seeds for toppings and salad dressings.
- Lessen the odor of cabbage and cauliflower during cooking by boiling a teaspoon of caraway seeds in a small cotton bag. This also will improve the flavor of the dishes with these vegetables.
- Bake apples, pears, and other fruits with the seeds. Their aroma goes well with the sweet taste of the baked fruits.
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