Between 10 and 20 percent of people suffer from excessive gas and bloating, according to Brigham and Women’s Hospital. What you eat and drink is often the cause of these uncomfortable digestive symptoms. Excessive amounts of fiber, certain sugars and fatty, spicy foods can cause gas and bloating. Cumin seed may be an ingredient in spicy dishes, but it may help alleviate gas pain rather than cause them.
About Cumin
Cumin is a spice found in Latin, Mediterranean and Indian cuisine. It is a primary ingredient in curries and chilis. You can purchase the seeds whole or ground.
Cumin and Digestion
No scientific evidence supports the use of cumin to treat digestion problems. However, homeopathic treatments sometimes use cumin to prevent gas, aid in digestion, treat diarrhea and lessen flatulence. Cumin is sometimes mixed with coriander, fennel, anise and caraway seeds which are other traditional remedies for gas.
Considerations
Cumin is often an ingredient in recipes that contain gas-producing foods. Curries and chilis almost always include onions, which are a common cause of gas. Cumin is often added to bean recipes — including black beans, lentils and hummus. You may think the cumin is causing your gas when it is actually the rafinose, a sugar, in the beans. Adding cumin to soaked beans when cooking may actually help mitigate the gas-producing qualities of beans.
Cumin Benefits
Avoiding cumin because you fear it causes gas is unfounded. Look to more usual suspects such as a sudden increase in your fiber intake or lactose intolerance as causes of gas. Consuming dietetic foods with sorbitol, a sugar substitute, can also cause gas. Cumin has a toasty flavor that adds dimension to foods. It may also have healthful properties, such as the ability to reduce inflammation, suppress muscle spasms and help with jaundice. Compounds found in cumin have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Although no science supports the use of cumin to treat medical conditions, it may have some value in reducing blood sugar, strengthening the bones and protecting you against cancer.
