What Is Cardamom?
Cardamom, sometimes cardamon or cardamom, is a spice made from the seeds of several plants in the genera Elettaria and Amomum in the family Zingiberaceae. Both genera are native to the Indian subcontinent and Indonesia.
Cardamom, or elaichi, is used in a lot of festive preparations. Which is why the health benefits of this extremely flavorful and aromatic spice are not very well known.
While cardamom may not be appreciated when one accidentally encounters it in a spoonful of delicious biryani. It is enjoyed in a whole range of desi dishes, including sensational desserts and savories.
Cardamom is used in both whole and powdered form and is also included in a number of spice mixes. It has a minty, spicy herb-like flavor and smell. And a warm taste, which is why it is also consumed as a mouth-freshener.
It also serves as a good addition to your masala chai concoction. By adding a calming aroma to the drink that is the quintessential Indian refresher. But cardamom has a number of health benefits as well, among which regulation of blood pressure is perhaps the most important one.
Cardamom for high blood pressure
Cardamom, or elaichi, is one such spice, which is probably under-appreciated for its role in keeping blood pressure levels under control. There has been some research into the effects of cardamom consumption on the blood pressure levels of hypertension patients.
One particular study, published in the Indian Journal Of Biochemistry and Biophysics, found that daily consumption of elaichi in a dose of 1.5 gms twice in a day, lead to a decrease in the systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure in Stage-1 hypertensive patients, who were observed for a period of three months.
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