EATING a curry could actually help you lose weight, a new study suggests.
Researchers found consuming the spice cardamom – a key ingredient in Indian cuisine – increased fat loss and reduced inflammation.
GettyA new study suggests eating a curry could actually aid weight loss[/caption]
GettyCardamom was found to help burn calories[/caption]
Principal investigator Dr Luis Cisneros-Zevallos said: “Cardamom is little known in the US but very common in other parts of the world.
“What we found is that this small spice can burn calories and maintain body weight while increasing appetite and food consumption.”
Scientists at the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture at Texas A&M AgriLife studied the effects of cardamom in mice.
They found that while it made the animals hungrier, it also helped them burn more energy and lose fat.
This is because it helped to control the system that regulates how fat is broken down and how energy is made in the liver and muscles, the team said.
The mice whose diets consisted of more than one per cent cardamom powder ate more than those with less in their diet.
But they gained less weight and saw a reduction in fat mass, indicating the spice could be used to help treat obesity.
The study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, also indicated that cardamom could help reduce low-grade inflammation that can lead to chronic health problems like arthritis, heart disease and diabetes.
The findings were based on mice, but Dr Cisneros-Zevallos estimates that adults weighing around 9.5st (60kg) would need to eat at least 77mg to see the benefits.
This is equivalent to about eight to 10 pods a day.
Cardamom has a warm, herbal flavour and is commonly used in sweet and savoury food and drink around the world.
It is particularly popular in Indian and Indian-inspired dishes, such as pilau rice, curries, rice pudding and chai.
Spice blends, such as curry powder and garam masala, usually also feature cardamom, and it is often added to cookies, cakes and puddings.
Dr Cisneros-Zevallos said: “Our team has discovered an amazing opportunity to utilise cardamom as a promoter of overall health.
“Cardamom seeds, with this new functionality, can be used in different industries, including the sports industry, functional foods and dietary supplements to favour the production of healthier foods.
“There is a wide range of potential health products for cardamom and its naturally occurring compounds.”