Stomach bloating: Adding this spice to your cooking will reduce bloating – what is it?

Bloating is defined as a swollen state caused by retention of fluid or gas. It is a sensation felt by most and is when the stomach feels full and stretched. For some people bloating is a common and inconvenient occurrence. It is usually caused by intestinal gas, and can go hand in hand with excess wind and burping. Thankfully, there is a way to help treat and prevent bloating by adding cumin to your meals. The gases behind bloating are produced by bacteria in the digestive tract, which generate gas from food that is eaten but not properly absorbed.

Cumin has been proven to help with digestion problems including diarrhoea, colic, bowel spasms and gas.

Cumin seeds in particular helps bile production and aids in digestion and absorption. In Sanskrit, cumin actually means ‘that which helps digestion’. The herb stimulates the stomach, gall and pancreatic secretion giving it excellent overall digestive qualities.

Cumin also contains cuminaldehyde which is an important phytochemical extending many health benefits, including lowering blood sugar levels and preventing blood clotting.

Not only does it help ease bloating, it also boosts metabolism, lowers cholesterol levels, helps with weight loss and adds an earthy flavour to your meal.

Ways to add cumin to your diet:

Cumin drink

Add two teaspoons of cumin seeds to boiling water, strain the seats and drink the infused water.

Cumin supplements

Purchase oral cumin supplements that contain ground cumin seeds or black cumin seed oil. Cumin supplements also help stabilise blood sugar.

Add cumin to your meals

Chilli powder, cumin seeds, and ground cumin all contain antioxidant and metabolism-boosting capabilities. You can add the herb to rice, lentils, and roasted vegetables.

In a 2013 study by US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health looked at cumin extracts for symptoms to control irritable bowel syndrome patients.

The result of the study proved the herb helped with abdominal pain, bloating, incomplete defamation and presence of mucus discharge in stool were statistically significantly decreased during and after treatment with cumin extracts. 

Feeling bloated often could be because of:

• Excess wind
• Constipation
• Food intolerance
• IBS
• Swallowing air
• Coeliac disease

Independent sources such as the British Dietetic Association and the Food Standards Agency advise consumers not to self diagnose themselves but rather speak with your GP who will refer you to a specialist clinic if required.

A GP survey found that 90 per cent of GPs agree that woman are putting their health at real risk by eliminating foods without any medical consultation and that questionable and potentially harmful advice by unregistered nutritionists and other ‘health gurus’ is often to blame. 

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