When I first realized that spices were a key factor in how I would successfully lose weight, I got SO excited to try all kinds of new ones. Not only would these spices take healthy food from somewhat bland to downright craveable, spices like cumin seeds for weight loss are, according to science, key to unlocking the power of fat-burning.
Cumin is spectacular for weight loss because it helps support your body’s natural toxin cleansing systems and actively burn fat cells away. Adding cumin for weight loss to your diet can help you feel more energized and less bloated, and trim away extra fat!
In this post, I’ll talk about all the amazing ways cumin seeds can help your body lose weight safely and naturally. We’ll also look at:
- What exactly are cumin seeds and what do they taste like?
- Exactly what happens to your fat cells when you enjoy cumin seeds for weight loss
- How cumin can affect your blood sugar levels
- Recipes to enjoy cumin seeds for weight loss in easy, delicious ways
Get your own downloadable Sweet Spice Cheat Sheet PDF with the sweet spice that helps you boost your metabolism and lose weight.
Cumin seeds for weight loss
Cumin seeds come from a plant in the family Apiaceae (parsely, carrot or celery family) grown mostly in the Mediterranean region, India, China, and Mexico. (1) These small, brown seeds can be eaten either ground up or whole.
Cumin has a warm, nutty, and peppery taste. The flavor is mild, though, not spicy hot. You might recognize it as the main flavor in taco seasoning. It’s also a standard in many traditional curry powers and sometimes in chili recipes.
Cumin seeds for weight loss can be used in so much more!
How cumin seeds help you lose weight
Cumin seeds have special compounds that gently boost metabolism to accelerate the burning of fat cells. (3) They also aid the body in responding to insulin and glucose (sugar) properly, which helps stabilize your blood sugar levels and fend off weight gain. (4)
Cumin seeds for weight loss are also full of antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory. These both help with cleansing the body, restoring balance so you feel your best, and reduces bloating. (5)
Another powerful way cumin can support weight loss is by helping to activate digestive enzymes in the gut. (6)
When your digestion is working at its best, your body can better extract the nutrients it needs from your food and eliminate what it doesn’t need more efficiently. This leads to better health, healthier skin, and less bloating and feeling puffy and heavy.
Confucius knew the benefits of ginger. Do you know how to take advantage of its ancient power? Eat beautiful, be beautiful: cayenne pepper benefits every part of you How turmeric benefits weight loss: 4 surprising ways (+links to recipes!)
Although cumin seeds are not magical seeds that will reduce your jean size overnight, they are part of the equation for a speedier and more enjoyable weight loss journey.
One study that shows the power of cumin seeds for weight loss is a study comparing women who followed reduced-calorie diets. Half of the women included cumin in their food choices (including adding it to a yogurt) and the other half didn’t eat any cumin.
The results? The women who ate cumin saw their “weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass and its percentage significantly reduced” compared to the women who ate a similar reduced-calorie diet WITHOUT cumin! (7)
That’s powerful!
Cumin has also been shown to be good for healthy cholesterol levels in women, as well. (8)
How to eat cumin for weight loss
Make Jeera tea
“Jeera” is a Hindi term for cumin. That’s what we call it in my family. We like to make a special tea with cumin seeds called “Jeera tea.” (7)
Enjoying this soothing tea twice a day can help support weight loss. Here’s the easy recipe from Healthline!
Add to snackables
Another way to get more cumin seeds for weight loss into your food is to sprinkle them (whole or ground) over hummus or guacamole and enjoy with sweet pepper strips. This is one of my favorite fat-burning snacks!
Vegan Masala Lentils + 6 vegan crock pot recipes you’ll LOVE
Use for roasting veggies, nuts, and meats
Add cumin to spice blends for roasting veggies or toasting nuts in the oven. Try this recipe to reduce your belly bloat at your next BBQ.
Try cumin yogurt
Are you really feeling adventurous? Try adding cumin seeds or ground cumin to a serving of yogurt as the women in the cumin seeds for weight loss study did. Find the best yogurt for weight loss here.
How do you like your cumin? Are you curious enough to try it mixed in yogurt? Leave me a comment and let me know!
I’m a huge fan of global fusion cuisine, far beyond the “only parsley and thyme” mentality. Spice truly is the variety of life. 🙂 I’m sure I used cumin and yogurt when I experimented creating an Indian and Italian inspired tomato chicken recipe. It was delicious.