May Contain Cancer-Fighting Compounds

Cardamom chemicals may aid in the battle against cancer cells. Cardamom powder has been demonstrated in animal studies to improve the activity of specific enzymes that help fight cancer. The spice may also improve natural killer cell abilities to assault cancers. In one study, researchers subjected two groups of mice to a skin cancer-causing chemical and fed one group 500 mg of powder cardamom per kg (227 mg per pound) of body weight every day. After 12 weeks, only 29% of the cardamom-eating group developed cancer, compared to more than 90% of the control group.

Human cancer cells and cardamom research have yielded similar results. One study found that a component in the spice inhibited the growth of oral cancer cells in test tubes. Despite the promising results, this research has only been conducted on mice or in test tubes. The human study is required before making more definitive claims.