31 August 2023 , 13:51
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Instead of sipping on meal replacement shakes and throwing back weight loss pills, there is a much tastier way to lose weight - and it involves eating curry. Recent studies have shown that curries could help to support people's weight loss goals thanks to one special ingredient. According to researchers, eating cardamom in food can play a crucial role in burning calories, reducing inflammation, maintaining weight and curbing appetite.
Cardamom is a spice that can be used in both savoury and sweet dishes, including curries, desserts and chai. It's also present in a number of spice mixtures, including curry powder and garam masala. According to experts, it promotes weight loss by regulating the system that regulates the way fat is broken down and how energy is produced in the muscles and liver. Scientists at the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture at Texas A&M AgriLife evaluated the effects of cardamom in mice and they noted that the ingredient helped the creatures feel less hungry. As well as this, they noticed that the spice made them energetic and helped them burn fat.
The rodents whose diet consisted of more than one per cent of cardamom powder ate more than those who did not eat as much of the spice. Even though they put on weight during the experiment, there was a decrease in fat mass, suggesting that the spice may be effective in treating obesity. The study, which was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, indicated that the spice could also aid in reducing low-grade inflammation which might contribute to the risk of diabetes, arthritis and heart disease.
Even though these outcomes were shown in mice, it was noted that adults weighing roughly 60kg would require approximately 77mg of cardamom to reap the weight loss benefits. This would mean consuming 10 cardamom pods a day. This isn't the first time the spice’s benefits have been spoken about, as it's previously been shown that it can ease inflammation and protect your cells against oxidative stress, which is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants that can lead to a number of medical issues. The benefits don't end there, as it can also help your body handle insulin better and keep your blood pressure healthy.
That being said, the NHS recommends consuming a varied diet and incorporating exercise in order to lose weight. "Keeping active has many benefits to your health and wellbeing and when part of a healthy diet, can be an effective way to lose weight. It's recommended that all adults should try to be active every day and should complete at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week," it states on the website.
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