Nutrition

Ajwain – Benefits, Weight Loss and Ajwain Seeds

Alpa Momaya

June 20, 2022

Carom seeds or ajwain is a spice available in every Indian household. Although it is pungent and bitter, ajwain seeds offer a unique flavour when added to various dishes. However, the benefits of ajwain extend beyond its aroma and taste.

Carom seeds are the seeds of the ajwain plant, Trachyspermum Ammi. They’re a common element in Indian cuisine. Carom seeds are the ajwain plant’s fruit, and we refer to them as “seeds.” You can buy them whole or be ground into a powder and used as a spice in cooking. 

Carom seeds are highly beneficial since they are abundant in fibre, antioxidants, and other vitamins and minerals. As a result, they’ve numerous health benefits. Ajwain seeds are integral to Indian cooking. Moreover, it is commonly accepted as excellent for health, as the seed contains many benefits, including weight loss.

Ajwain Seeds and their Benefits

Ajwain seeds are incredible from a health-based standpoint, as they are rich in carbohydrates, fibre, protein, and fats. It also contains vitamins and minerals like niacin, thiamine, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium.

Ayurvedic medicine has been using these seeds to improve digestion, provide relief against constipation and treat flatulence. Given below are the benefits of ajwain for weight loss.

Antifungal and Antibacterial Properties

Ajwain seeds contain carvacrol and thymol, two active compounds in this spice. A study suggests that they impede the growth of bacteria and fungi. In addition, they attack bacteria responsible for food poisonings, such as salmonella and Escherichia coli (E.coli). 

A test tube research establishes that carom seeds are more effective than other solvents. In addition, they work better primarily against multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi such as Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Streptococcus mutans.

Brings Down Blood Pressures

To treat hypertension (high blood pressure), doctors use calcium-channel blockers as medications. They prevent calcium from entering your heart and expand and relax the blood vessels.

As a result, it lowers your blood pressure, bringing down the chances of suffering from stroke and heart disease. Thymol, present in ajwain seeds, behaves similarly to calcium-channel blockers.

According to certain studies, thymol may have calcium-channel blocking properties, which might help decrease blood pressure. In addition, as per another research, carom seed extract helps lower blood pressure.

Enhances Cholesterol Levels

When consuming ajwain for weight loss, they help bring down triglyceride and cholesterol levels in your body. In addition, studies prove that high triglycerides and cholesterol increase the chances of suffering from heart disease. 

At the same time, using ajwain improves HDL levels (good cholesterol) in your body, as shown by this study on rats. Nonetheless, in both tests, carom seed powder was only effective in reducing elevated cholesterol levels when administered in substantial quantities. However, you wouldn’t reap the benefits solely by eating the seeds regularly in your diet.

Excellent Anti-inflammatory Properties

Inflammation can be beneficial or harmful. Inflammation is your body’s natural way of defending itself against sickness or injuries for a short period. On the other hand, some studies suggest that chronic inflammation may harm the body and raise the risk of certain illnesses.

Ajwain has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce long-term or chronic inflammation caused by conditions like cancers. 

Ajwain Water

There are several ways you can consume ajwain for weight loss. For instance, you can roast ajwain seeds and eat a teaspoonful every day.

Another way is to consume ajwain water for weight loss, which is a simple and effective technique.

Benefits of Ajwain Water

Along with aiding weight loss, ajwain water has other health benefits.

Highlighted below are some of the other ajwain water benefits it has to provide:

Ajwain Water For Weight Loss

The reason why people love drinking ajwain water for weight loss is that it requires minimal preparation time. You can make it a part of your daily routine without having to go out of your way to make this beverage.

Roast two teaspoons of ajwain seeds on a low flame until it starts to produce a pungent aroma. Next, take 500 ml of water and boil it in a pan. Add ajwain seeds and stir the drink until it turns brown. Allow the beverage to cool and strain it before consuming ajwain water for weight loss.

You can improve the taste of this drink by adding honey. Mix a teaspoon of honey to this beverage and consume it on an empty stomach.

Combat Indigestion and Acidity

The active enzymes present in this drink will allow your body to release gastric juices, helping deal with indigestion and acidity. In addition, some studies show that carrom seeds help with peptic ulcers, which are sores in the oesophagus, stomach, or small intestine.

Carom seed extract may also aid in the prevention and treatment of gas and indigestion. Consistent pain and discomfort in the upper section of your stomach is a symptom of indigestion. According to one study, one of the apparent reasons for indigestion is when stomach emptying gets delayed.

In rats, in a study, carom seed spice has been proven to speed up the passage of food through the stomach, which may aid with indigestion.

Fight Against Common Cold

By consuming ajwain water, it discharges the mucus present in the nasal passage. One study on guinea pigs indicated that carom seeds have a more substantial anti-coughing impact than codeine, a typical cough medicine. 

It also helps deal with problems such as bronchitis and asthma. For example, treatment with 0.057–0.113 ml per pound of bodyweight of carom seed extract enhanced airflow to the lungs 30–180 minutes after administration in people with asthma, according to research.

Makes it Easier to Deal with Arthritis

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it brings down the inflammation and soreness you experience due to arthritis, as seen in this study on rats. 

The researchers discovered that giving carom seed extract to arthritis-induced mice for 21 days reduced inflammatory indicators, such as lowering elastase levels, an enzyme-linked to inflammation.

Another way you can reach your fitness goals is to consume methi, kali jeera, and ajwain for weight loss. Take a teaspoon of each of these ingredients and grind them until it becomes a fine powder. Then, add half a teaspoon of this spice mix to a glass of water every day and drink it between your meals.

Summary

Ajwain for weight loss is the way to go when you want to achieve your health and fitness goals. For centuries, Ayurvedic medicine has been using the powerful properties of these seeds, with good reason.

Keep in mind that the first step to losing weight is to ensure your digestive system is healthy at all times. Then, add ajwain to your diet every day, and you will experience all the benefits it has to offer. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Is it good to eat ajwain every day?

A. When you consume these seeds first thing in the morning, they help digestion by allowing your body to release digestive juices. 

Q. What is the side effect of ajwain?

A. Excessive use of Ajwain seed can promote gas buildup in the stomach, resulting in acidity and reflux. In addition, some people are allergic to Ajwain seed because of the presence of thymol, which can cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Q. What are the benefits of ajwain?

A. Regular consumption of ajwain helps in preventing bacterial and fungal infection. In addition, it brings down blood pressure, helps in maintaining cholesterol levels, and has anti-inflammatory properties. 

Q. Can I drink ajwain water daily?

A. Carom seeds are also high in iodine, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium, all of which offer several health benefits when consumed daily. Drinking ajwain water can assist with diabetes, constipation, stomach discomfort and gas, diarrhoea, asthma, and other diseases.

Q. Can I drink ajwain water at night?

A. The optimum time to consume Ajwain water is on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.

Q. Is ajwain good for periods?

A. Ajwain seeds not only help to start your menstrual cycle, but they also help to ease cramps.

Q. Is ajwain bad for the liver?

A. Because of its digestive properties, ajwain may help to enhance metabolism and liver function.

Q. Can ajwain reduce gas?

A. Ajwain is beneficial for indigestion-related stomach problems. In addition, patients suffering from gas and bloating must drink ajwain water.

Q. Who should not eat ajwain?

A. Ajwain should be avoided while breastfeeding or pregnant since ajwain has a blood-thinning effect. As a result, it may help to prevent blood clots. Therefore, it’s best to avoid ajwain if you’re on blood thinners.

Q. Does ajwain water reduce belly fat?

A. Ajwain aids digestion and absorption of nutrients. It contributes to weight reduction since it reduces fat accumulation. Ajwain seeds also boost metabolism.

Q. How much weight can I lose with ajwain?

A. If you eat these seeds first thing in the morning regularly, this activity can help you lose 1-2 kg in a month. However, one has to follow dietary regulations and exercise. 

Q. Is ajwain good for the kidney?

A. Ajwain is antilithiatic, which means it reduces the likelihood of kidney stones forming. Ajwain seeds contain an antilithiatic protein that prevents kidney stone development. In addition, it inhibits calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate deposition.

Q. Does ajwain cause heat in the body?

A. Excessive intake of ajwain might create problems since it produces heat in the body. Nausea, dizziness, and heartburn are all possible side effects.

Q. Can ajwain increase BP?

A. Ajwain decreases blood pressure and is commonly eaten by those with high blood pressure.

About the Author

As the holder of a Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics from the University of Mumbai, Alpa Momaya has always understood the value of good nutrition in an individual's life. She is a Registered Nutritional Practitioner (Canada) with over 15 years of experience in the field. Specializing in Clinical Nutrition, Pre & Post Natal Diets, and Weight Management, Alpa found her calling as a Sr. Nutritionist with HealthifyMe. Alpa's love for cooking and good nutrition has seen her contribute several recipes to the HealthifyMe database over the years. Additionally, she takes a keen interest in reading and painting.


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6 responses to “Ajwain – Benefits, Weight Loss and Ajwain Seeds”

    • Hi Jani, we are so grateful for your kind words. Thanks for sharing your feedback with us. Keep following our blogs.

    • Hi Melenia, we really appreciate you taking the time out to share your experience with us. Thank you so much for your kind words.

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