Caraway, also known as Persian cumin, meridian fennel, or its scientific name, Carum carvi, is a plant that is closely related to carrots, parsley, celery, coriander, and cumin. It has feathery leaves and produces small pink and white flowers — as well as a crescent-shaped fruit, which is also known as the caraway seed.

Some of the potential caraway seeds’ benefits include increased weight loss, decreased blood sugar, and improved digestive health. They are also a great source of several important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them an excellent addition to a well-balanced, healing diet.

Health Benefits of Caraway Seeds

1. High in Antioxidants

Caraway seeds are loaded with antioxidants. These powerful compounds help fight free radicals and prevent damage to the cells. In addition to neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative stress, antioxidants are thought to aid in the prevention of chronic conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Interestingly enough, one animal model published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology found that supplementing with caraway seeds was able to significantly increase serum antioxidant levels in rats. Although more research is needed to understand the effects on humans, this could potentially have far-reaching effects on health and disease.

2. Support Digestive Health

Caraway seeds have long been used as a natural remedy for digestive issues, such as gas, bloating, and constipation. This is thanks in part to their high fiber content. Just one tablespoon supplies 2.5 grams of fiber.

Fiber passes through the digestive tract very slowly and helps add bulk to the stool to relieve constipation and support regularity. Studies show that upping your intake of fiber can aid in the treatment of constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and intestinal ulcers. One human study even found that caraway oil was effective at reducing symptom severity and providing relief for patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

3. Promotes Weight Loss

Caraway seeds can be a great addition to a healthy diet to help curb cravings, reduce appetite and boost weight loss with minimal effort required. According to a 2013 study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, supplementing with caraway extract for 90 days resulted in a significant reduction in weight and body fat of participants, even with no other changes to diet or exercise.

Another study had similar findings, reporting that consuming 30 milliliters of caraway extract led to significant reductions in appetite, carbohydrate intake, and body weight after just 90 days.

4. May Help fight Cancer Cells

Caraway seeds contain a highly concentrated amount of antioxidants, which are powerful compounds that help neutralize free radicals and reduce the risk of chronic disease. Thanks to their rich content of antioxidants, caraway seeds are believed to have potent cancer-fighting properties.

For example, one animal model out of India found that supplementing with caraway extract was effective at improving antioxidant status and preventing lesion formation in rats with colon cancer. Another animal study also found that consuming caraway seeds helped block the growth of new tumor cells in the colon.

5. Could Prevent Seizures

Although research is still limited, some studies show that caraway seeds could have anticonvulsant properties and may help protect against seizures. One animal model conducted by the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences showed that administering the extracts and essential oils of caraway seeds to rats helped prevent several different types of seizures. However, more research is needed to determine whether these effects apply to humans as well.

6. Stabilized Blood Sugar

Some research suggests that adding caraway seed to your diet can help regulate blood sugar levels to protect against diabetes symptoms, such as increased thirst, fatigue, and unintentional weight changes. In fact, one animal model out of Morocco showed that administering caraway seed extract to diabetic rats was effective at lowering blood sugar levels.

Plus, caraway seeds are also a great source of fiber. Fiber can have a powerful impact on blood sugar control and can help slow the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream to keep blood sugar levels stable.

Ref: https://draxe.com/nutrition/caraway-seeds/

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