Cardamom: 9 Science-Backed Benefits, Nutritional Value, Uses & More

by Reed Rush November 8, 2022

Cardamom, like that in 8th Wonder Sparkling Chai Tea, is an aromatic spice derived from the pods of the Elettaria cardamomum plant. It is a member of the same botanical family as ginger.

Cardamom: 9 Science-Backed Benefits

It is often used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking to flavor sweet and savory dishes. It is also a common ingredient in northern Europe and Russia baked goods.

Cardamom pods, seeds, or ground powder give things like 8th Wonder Sparking Chai tea, coffee, rice, curries, and many baked goods a robust floral smell and taste.

In addition to its culinary purposes, cardamom may also provide a number of health benefits, ranging from refreshing your breath to regulating blood sugar to boosting heart health to perhaps destroying cancer cells.

Nine of cardamom's most notable advantages are discussed below, followed by essential information about this aromatic spice.

1. Bacterial and Fungal Infections

The cardamom seed oil has antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

According to research, cardamom essential oil may be used to eliminate numerous forms of germs and fungi effectively. The study's authors hypothesized that the oil's antibacterial effect was due to its potential to disrupt the membranes of specific bacteria(1).

Another study found that cardamom essential oil exhibited "antimicrobial efficacy against practically all test bacteria," leading authors of another study to speculate that it might one day be used as an ingredient in antimicrobial medications(2, 3).

However, cardamom essential oil shouldn't be taken internally, and you should always check with your physician before trying a new herbal cure, as some herbs may interfere with the effectiveness of others or generate unwanted side effects.

2. Blood Sugar

Cardamom powder may help lower blood sugar levels.

One study found that when rats were given a high-fat, high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet, their blood sugar levels stayed higher longer than when they were given a regular diet(4).

When cardamom powder was given to rats on the HFHC diet, their blood sugar didn't stay high for as long as it did in rats on a regular diet(5)

This study involved rats, but what about humans?

In 2019, a study looked into whether cardamom could help treat diabetes.

As part of the study, 83 people with type 2 diabetes took a 3 g cardamom supplement every day for 10 weeks. Cardamom reduced participants' hemoglobin A1C, a test of average blood sugar, and Homa-IR, a test of insulin resistance, more than rusk powder, which was used as a placebo(6).

Though more research needs to be conducted, these results indicate that cardamom powder might help with diabetes management.

3. High Blood Pressure

Due to its diuretic properties, cardamom is proven to manage high blood pressure with daily consumption. In addition, since it is rich in antioxidants, it promotes regular urination, which helps to purify the blood and eliminate water that has accumulated around vital organs.

A study published in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics outlines the regular use of cardamom and its effect in regulating blood pressure.

The study also found a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with stage 1 hypertension who consumed 3 g of cardamom powder in two divided doses for 12 weeks. . Systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats, while diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest between beats(7).

Fun fact: drinking 8th Wonder Sparkling Chai Tea is an excellent way to get the cardamom you need for healthy blood pressure!

4. Oral Health

Cardamom is a particularly potent treatment for halitosis, also known as bad breath, a widespread issue. Any unpleasant odors from your mouth can be eliminated by simply chewing on the seeds, and for this reason, it is even added to the ingredient list of some chewing gums.

But its oral health benefits may extend beyond just freshening your breath – to gum disease and cavity prevention.

For example, the fruit and seed extract of cardamom was looked at in a 2020 laboratory study. The results show that cardamom may stop the bacteria that cause the gum disease gingivitis from growing(8).

In addition, another 2017 study that tested cardamom in a lab found that it may help get rid of Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that is a major cause of cavities(9).

5. Heart Health

Cardamom like that in 8th Wonder Sparkling Chai Tea may reduce key risk factors of heart disease. For example, one of the risk factors is high blood pressure, which cardamom has been shown to help lower. (See section on blood pressure above.) The other significant risk factor for heart and cardiovascular disease is abnormal or high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, a type of fat that can cause plaque to build up in your blood vessels and increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, or developing heart disease.

According to a meta-analysis of five trials, taking cardamom supplements significantly reduced the levels of triglycerides, which could reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease(10).

Some animal research also suggests that cardamom consumption can support heart health. For example, according to research done on rats, cardamom may be able to prevent heart attacks. Although the authors stress that human studies are needed to confirm these results, they speculate that its antioxidant effects may aid in enhancing heart function(11).

In a separate investigation on rats, cardamom oil was found to reduce cholesterol levels. For eight weeks, the researchers fed rats a diet high in cholesterol. At the conclusion of the study, the rats given cardamom had significantly reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels(12).

6. Cancer

This medicinal plant exhibits potential as a natural cancer treatment, too. Studies on animals indicate that it can be utilized as a chemopreventive drug or anything that inhibits, delays, or reverses cancer development.

Take skin cancer, for instance. According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, cardamom consumption improved the skin health of animals. In addition, with oral administration of cardamom powder, researchers discovered a significant decrease in the incidence and quantity of malignancies. These findings suggest that cardamom has the potential to act as a chemopreventive agent against two-stage skin cancer(13).

In general, phytochemicals present in this spice, such as cineole and limonene, have demonstrated a preventive effect against cancer progression(14).

7. Liver

Cardamom is used in Ayurvedic medicine because of its detoxification capacity. The cardamom in 8th Wonder Sparkling Chai Tea does appear to have some beneficial benefits on the liver, which is essential for eliminating toxins from the body, despite the lack of scientific data to support this claim.

One study tested cardamom intake on participants with obesity or excess weight who had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Compared to those who took a placebo, those who received green cardamom supplements saw an improvement in liver health markers(15).

In another experiment, rats were fed a high-fat, high-carb diet while specific liver health markers were monitored. Cardamom-treated rats experienced less liver stress than control rats who consumed an unsupplemented diet after 8 weeks. According to this research, cardamom may be able to prevent some types of liver damage(16).

8. Respiratory System

Compounds in cardamom have the potential to increase lung airflow and improve breathing.

Research suggests that cardamom can provide an energizing aroma that improves the body's ability to utilize oxygen during exercise when used in aromatherapy (17).

Participants inhaled cardamom essential oil for one minute before 15-minute treadmill walking intervals in one trial. This group consumed substantially more oxygen than the control group (18).

Cardamom may also increase breathing and oxygen use by relaxing the airway. This may be very beneficial for the treatment of asthma.

A study on rats and rabbits revealed that cardamom extract injections could relax the neck airway. If the extract has the same impact on asthmatics, it could prevent their inflamed airways from constricting and help their breathing (19).

9. Inflammation

Compounds found in abundance in the cardamom in 8th Wonder Sparkling Chai Tea may help combat inflammation.

When your body is exposed to foreign toxins, inflammation results. Although short-term inflammation is essential and advantageous, prolonged inflammation can result in chronic illnesses.

Cardamom contains a wide variety of antioxidants that shield cells from harm and prevent inflammation (19a).

In one study, cardamom extract at doses between 50 and 100 mg per kg (23 and 46 mg per pound) of body weight inhibited at least four distinct inflammatory chemicals in rats (19b).

The consumption of cardamom powder reduced liver inflammation caused by a high carbohydrate and fat diet in rats, according to a separate study (19c).

Although there are fewer studies on the anti-inflammatory properties of cardamom in humans, evidence indicates that supplements may boost antioxidant levels by as much as 90% (19d)

Nutrition Facts

Cardamom has some fiber and many vitamins and minerals. Plus, it is extremely low in calories and carbs.

The Department of Agriculture states that one tablespoon of ground cardamom contains the following (20):

calories: 18
total fat: 0.4 grams (g)
carbohydrates: 4.0 g
fiber: 1.6 g
protein: 0.6 g
potassium: 64.9 milligrams (mg)
calcium: 22.2 mg
iron: 0.81 mg
magnesium: 13.3 mg
phosphorus: 10.3 mg

Side Effects

According to reports, cardamom has no recognized hazards or adverse side effects when used in cooking. Therefore, for most folks, cardamom is generally safe to use as a seasoning and flavoring agent.

How Much Is Cardomom Safe to Take?

When used as a supplement, cardamom has no set dosage. Many cardamom capsules or tablets state that each pill contains 400–500 milligrams of dried plant. As with any other dietary supplement, you should see a healthcare provider before taking cardamom supplements.

What Are the Main Types of Cardamom?

There are two primary types of cardamom: green cardamom and black cardamom.

The green pods of Elettaria cardamomum, commonly known as "real cardamom," possess the most recognizable qualities of cardamom flavor: a herbal warmth reminiscent of a fragrant cross between eucalyptus, mint, and pepper.

Black cardamom, with its darker brown pods, is not as overpowering as green cardamom, but it has a similar flavor profile and can be used to tone down the intensity of green cardamom's flavor.

What is Cardamom Used For?

Cardamom is a common ingredient in Indian chai tea. It is also a flavorful ingredient in 8th Wonder Organic Sparkling Chai tea. Cardamom can also be used in savory stews and soups, breads of various varieties, and desserts such as puddings, cakes, pancakes, and pies. In addition, it is an excellent spice for steeping in hot liquids such as green and mint teas and cold smoothies.

This plant can be used whole or steeped in hot water and other liquids to make cardamom tea and other infusions. Additionally, the seeds can be extracted from the cardamom pod and pulverized for use in various meals and smoothies.

What Does Cardamom Smell and Taste Like?

Cardamom has an unusual taste that combines citrus with a warm, flowery aftertaste. Its aroma is a sophisticated blend of nutty, spicy, citrusy, and sweet notes.

Summary

Cardamom is a traditional treatment that may possess numerous therapeutic benefits.

Research suggests that it may reduce blood pressure, enhance respiration, and regulate blood sugar levels.

In addition, animal and test-tube research suggest that cardamom may help fight cancers, combat infections, and protect the liver.

Cooking with cardamom or drinking 8th Wonder Sparkling Chai Tea that incorporates this healing spice may be an effective way to support a healthy body.

Enjoy a Healing Dose of Cardamom in 8th Wonder Sparkling Chai Tea!

Never has relaxation tasted so sweet. To relax, pop open a can of strong black tea that has been expertly spiced with apple, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and a dash of ashwagandha. Each cinnamon-flavored sip is topped off with a crisp spritz and evokes a crisp fall afternoon swirling with cinnamon, spice, and just a touch of enchantment.

This unique tea contains no added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or gluten and is certified organic. 8th Wonder Sparkling Chai Tea is health in a can!

So why wait to experience its health-promoting benefits? Click here to learn more and place your order.

References

1- https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/23/11/2818/htm

2- https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/kastorman/article/356765

3- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13197-017-2668-7

4- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5557534/

5- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5557534/

6- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jsfa.9617

7- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20361714/

8- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31430531/

9- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5502022/