Cumin For Weight Loss 2025 – How It Works & 3 Ways To Use It
Updated on
- Written by Jennifer Anyabuine, Former Health Writer
Medically reviewed by
Victor Nguyen, PharmD.
The distinctive nutty and slightly peppery flavor of cumin enriches almost any meal you use it for. It works great with a host of other spices to give your meals a rich flavor.
However, cumin could offer you more than simply great-tasting food.
It has become the subject of research for its potential weight loss and medicinal benefits. Medicinal plants such as cumin could be beneficial for weight loss just as the relationship between CBD and weight loss has been highlighted recently.
How to Use Cumin for Weight Loss?
If you have decided to try cumin for weight loss, you might need a few ideas on how to use it. You could try:
- Cumin drink
- Cumin spice
- Cumin supplements
3 Ways To Use Cumin For Weight Loss – Cumin Weight Loss Recipe
Cumin Drink
Brewing your cumin drink at home is one of the easiest ways to use cumin for weight loss.
The recipe is pretty easy to follow and you should have a cup of cumin drink in your hand in a matter of minutes.
If you are more invested, you could try the overnight method. However, ensure you use clean drinkable water for the process.
For weight loss, consider taking a glass of cumin drink twice daily on an empty stomach.
You could also squeeze some lemon juice or lime juice,[1] into your cumin water to promote weight loss.
This study,[2] found that high doses of cumin and lime were effective at promoting fat loss.
Cumin Spice – How To Use Cumin Powder For Weight Loss?
Adding a dash of cumin powder to your meals should help you get some of its amazing benefits. It is also delicious so it is a win-win situation.
Adding cumin to meals is an excellent way to use cumin to lose weight.
So, before you eat out that veggie salad, sprinkle some cumin powder on it. You could add cumin powder to other food and snacks such as yogurt and still enjoy its benefits.
Cumin Supplements
You do not have to go through the hassle of brewing cumin water daily simply to enjoy its benefits.
Cumin supplements are an easier alternative. Ensure you follow instructions when taking your supplements.
Does Cumin Help You Lose Weight?
Cumin can help promote weight loss due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant,[3] properties. It could also influence the digestive system. Paired with a weight loss diet and exercise, cumin could promote weight loss.
This excellent spice used in various continents could help you meet your weight loss goals in addition to giving you great-tasting meals.
It is not all talk.
How To Take Cumin For Weight Loss
Researchers,[4] observed significant weight loss in the group of overweight women using cumin powder in addition to a weight restriction diet versus the group on a weight restriction diet alone.
It could be worth a shot.
However, rein in your expectations. Cumin water from cumin seeds is not a miraculous fat burner that will reduce your fat without extra effort.
If you truly want to see results with cumin use to lose weight, you’ll have to commit to a diet that promotes fat loss.
A moderate calorie deficit diet is crucial for losing pounds. It helps your body dip into fat stores for energy.
You could also augment your dieting efforts with regular exercise that burn fat and help you build muscle.
Supplements too are not left out of your weight loss journey. You could use flaxseeds to lose fat just as you would use cumin.
Furthermore, cumin might not be the answer if you are looking to burn fat in only a specific part of your body.
The anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidant effects of cumin might help reduce your bloating so that you might appear to have a slimmer midsection.
However, it is not specifically targeting fat in your waist and you would have to experience a general weight loss to lose fat in your waistline.
Lose Pounds Everyday With Cumin Water: Why & How To Use It
Cumin water known also as Jeera water from cumin seeds is an Indian beverage and could help you reach your weight loss goals. You could drink jeera water daily to jump-start your weight loss journey. You can also enjoy the benefits of cumin in food or when you take it as a supplement.
Who does not love a new weight loss hack that works?
The secret to getting you off your weight loss plateau might just be hiding in your spices cabinet.
Cumin, with its blend of nutty and peppery flavors, is excellent for making delicious meals.
One of the easiest ways to enjoy the benefits of cumin is by drinking cumin water daily.
Making jeera water is a pretty straightforward process that you can carry out daily to get your daily dose of cumin goodness to lose weight.
Cumin Seeds For Weight Loss With Water
Here is a recipe with instructions on how to make your cumin water
- Put two teaspoons of cumin seeds into the six cups of water in a nonreactive pot
- Bring to a boil on medium heat
- Cover pot and simmer for five minutes
- Turn up the heat and boil for a few minutes
- Turn off the heat and leave covered
- Strain the cumin seeds from your cumin water when cool
- Enjoy your cumin water
If you would like to bring out more of the flavor and oils in your cumin seeds, consider crushing them before boiling. You can crush your cumin seeds using a rolling pin before pouring them into the pan to boil.
You could also make cumin water using the overnight method. Here, you would add your cumin seeds to heated water and leave them to soak overnight.
In the morning, strain your drink to remove the seeds and enjoy.
Some prefer to take cumin water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach for best results.
Benefits of Cumin
Losing weight
Research shows that you could use cumin to lose weight with success. It is especially effective in addition to other weight loss efforts.
Cumin water will help you get all the nutritious goodness of cumin in a cup but you can also enjoy it in your favorite meals and as a daily supplement.
Lower bad cholesterol
High LDL cholesterol levels are bad news for your heart. Studies,[4] following the effect of cumin on overweight groups noted a significant reduction of blood LDL cholesterol levels with cumin use.
Researchers also noted an increase in the level of good cholesterol (HDL). HDL cholesterol has cardioprotective effects. Therefore, consider getting that cumin water drink now to protect your heart.
Rich iron source
Cumin is so rich in iron that it can help you meet your daily iron requirement.
Side Effects of Cumin Use
Like with most supplements, consider starting with small amounts of cumin and observing how your body reacts. If you decide to use cumin for weight loss, knowing the possible side effects is vital.
Cumin is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects at large doses. However, you could experience some side effects such as heartburn and an upset stomach.
In men, cumin could affect testosterone levels, therefore, affecting fertility,[5]. Pregnant women and women trying to conceive should proceed with caution. Some cultures use cumin to induce miscarriage,[6].
Discontinue using cumin for weight loss and discuss with your healthcare provider when you notice any unusual signs.
Conclusion
Cumin might be useful for more than making great meals. It could promote weight loss due to its effect on digestion and metabolism.
You could brew your cumin water from cumin seeds or use cumin supplements and powder for your food.
For best results, you would have to keep up with weight loss promoting habits such as exercise and a caloric deficit diet.
You could also enjoy other benefits of cumin used such as lower bad cholesterol and iron supply.
However, take note of possible side effects such as heartburn and GIT trouble. It could also affect male fertility. Pregnant women and women trying to conceive should also be wary because it could induce miscarriage.
+ 6 sources
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- Karpagam K and Priya U (2019). Effectiveness of cumin cyminum plus lime administration on obesity among womens. [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336693558_Effectiveness_of_cumin_cyminum_plus_lime_administration_on_obesity_among_womens [Accessed 29 Jun. 2023].
- Taghizadeh, M., Mohammad Reza Memarzadeh, Abedi, F., Sharifi, N., Fatemeh Karamali, Zohre Fakhrieh Kashan and Zatollah Asemi (2016). The Effect of Cumin cyminum L. Plus Lime Administration on Weight Loss and Metabolic Status in Overweight Subjects: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. [online] 18(8). doi:https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.34212.
- Srinivasan, K. (2018). Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and black cumin (Nigella sativa) seeds: traditional uses, chemical constituents, and nutraceutical effects. [online] 2(1), pp.1–16. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/fqsafe/fyx031.
- Zare, R., Heshmati, F., Hossein Fallahzadeh and Kwon, D.-S. (2014). Effect of cumin powder on body composition and lipid profile in overweight and obese women. [online] 20(4), pp.297–301. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.10.001.
- Patel, A., Joon Yau Leong, Ramos, L. and Ramasamy, R. (2019). Testosterone Is a Contraceptive and Should Not Be Used in Men Who Desire Fertility. [online] 37(1), pp.45–45. doi:https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.180036.
- Ahmed, M.M., Hwang, J.-W., Choi, S. and Han, D. (2017). Safety classification of herbal medicines used among pregnant women in Asian countries: a systematic review. [online] 17(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1995-6.
Written by:
Jennifer Anyabuine, Former Health Writer
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
