Cardamom Increases Appetite and Burns Fat; Study Shows

According to a new Texas A&M AgriLife study, eating cardamom has a variety of health and dietary benefits, including improved appetite, fat loss, and inflammation reduction, making the spice a “superfood.”

According to the study’s principal investigator, Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, Ph.D., horticulture and food science professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and affiliate scientist with the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture at Texas A&M AgriLife, consumption of this superfood can help maintain lean body weight and reduce body fat.

“Professor Cisneros-Zevallos’s research program is discovering the fundamental basis of how various horticulture crops impact human health,” said Amit Dhingra, Ph.D., head of the Department of Horticultural Sciences. “This work directly aligns with the sustainability, wellness and food security focus of our department.”

The study, “Cardamom Seeds Intake Increases Energy Expenditure and Reduces Fat Mass in Mice by Modulating Neural Circuits That Regulate Adipose Tissue Lipolysis and Mitochondrial Oxidative Metabolism in Liver and Skeletal Muscle,” was published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Cardamom is a popular spice in many parts of the world, and the findings of this study should increase its appeal. The spice has a pleasant herbal flavor and aroma of eucalyptus, mint, and pepper.

“Cardamom is a spice little known in the U.S. but very common in other parts of the world,” Cisneros-Zevallos said. “What we found is that this small spice can burn calories and maintain body weight while increasing appetite and food consumption.”

Cardamom research reveals health advantages

The investigations used live animal specimens and different doses of cardamom seeds in a normal diet. According to Cisneros-Zevallos, researchers discovered that this superfood enhances hunger while also increasing energy expenditure and fat mass reduction.

The study also offered human dosage estimates, estimating at least 77 milligrams of cardamom bioactives for an adult weighing roughly 132 pounds. It was stated that this healthy dose may be attained by consuming at least eight to ten cardamom pods per day.

Cardamom modifies brain circuits that govern adipose tissue lipolysis and mitochondrial oxidative metabolism in the liver and skeletal muscle, according to the findings.

According to Cisneros-Zevallos, other research have indicated that cardamom has anti-inflammatory qualities. According to his findings, cardamom may reduce low-grade inflammation, which can lead to chronic inflammation and the development of a variety of disorders.

“Our team has discovered an amazing opportunity to utilize cardamom as a promoter of overall health,” he said. “Cardamom seeds, with this new functionality, can be used in different industries, including the sports industry, functional foods and dietary supplements to favor the production of healthier foods.”

According to Cisneros-Zevallos, the research also included collaboration with Mexico City’s National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubiran, INCMNSZ. Claudia Delgadillo-Puga, Ph.D., and Ivan Torre-Villalvazo, Ph.D., both from the national institution, were members of the interdisciplinary study team.

Creating business opportunities

Cisneros-According to Zevallos, the study found that eating cardamom assisted with appetite and weight loss. He feels that the new functionality identified in this superfood can be exploited in the burgeoning industry of sports nutrition or as a supplement to enhance appetite in the elderly.

“There is a wide range of potential health products for cardamom and its naturally occurring compounds,” he said.

Both health-conscious consumers and Guatemalan farmers benefit from the discovery. There are currently over 350,000 families in Guatemala practicing sustainable and environmentally friendly cardamom shade cultivation in the tropical jungle.

“Cardamom is of great importance economically for Guatemala,” he said. “Expanding its use in the U.S. and globally could provide stability to farmers and aid in the immigration crisis observed in recent years.”

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