Jeera Water For Weight Loss – Benefits, How To Make, & Risks

Jeera or cumin is a household spice in Indian, Mexican, and south-east Asian cuisines. It has a toasted nutty flavor. The use of jeera water for weight loss is fast gaining popularity. Soaking it in water overnight and drinking it in the morning helps reduce inflammation and boost weight loss. A study published in the Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice showed that consuming 3 grams of cumin powder with curd twice a day helps in reducing body weight (1).

This post tells you why and how jeera water aids weight loss, how to prepare jeera water, a few recipes, and the ways to include it in your daily diet. Scroll down!

Note: Jeera water may only aid in water weight loss. To get rid of the flab, you must eat a balanced diet and exercise 3-4 times a week. Following a healthy lifestyle is crucial for weight loss, no matter what else you do along with it.

What Is Jeera Water?

Jeera water is the solution you obtain after soaking cumin seeds in water overnight. Through the process of osmosis, the water enters the cumin seeds, and they swell up. The turgidⁱ  A condition in which plant cells absorb water and get swollen in a way that they push the cell membrane (cell barrier) against the cell wall. cumin seeds then release the nutrients into the water. This imparts an earthy yellow color to the water.

Now, let’s get to the main point – how jeera water aids weight loss.

Benefits Of Jeera Water For Weight Loss

1. Low In Calories

One teaspoon of cumin (2.1 g) has 8 calories (2). Hence, having a glass of jeera water (1 teaspoon of jeera powder) does not add extra calories.

2. Boosts Metabolism

Cumin water or jeera water might act as a metabolism booster

. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals that act as cofactors for various metabolic reactions.

Researchers found that administering cumin and lime improved the metabolic rate and overall lipid profile and reduced the BMI of overweight participants (3).

3. Improves Digestion

Cumin or jeera water improves digestion by accelerating the functions of digestive enzymes. Improved digestion results in improved resting metabolic rate, which leads to weight loss and makes this a good fitness drink for weight control or weight management.

A study on 57 Iranian people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) showed that cumin seed oil improved the frequency of bowel habit and relieving other symptoms (4). Cumin extracts accelerate the secretion of amylaseⁱ  An enzyme secreted by salivary and pancreatic glands and found in tissues, blood, and urine in small levels that helps digest carbohydrates. , lipaseⁱ  A digestive enzyme or digestive juice made in the pancreas, salivary glands, and stomach that breaks down fats and helps in their absorption. , proteaseⁱ  An enzyme that breaks down proteins into single amino acids (ingredients that make up protein) found in animals and plants. , and phytaseⁱ  A class of digestive enzymes that breaks down phytic acid found in plants and bacteria, which helps bind iron and zinc. , which enhance digestion (5).

4. Detoxifies The Body

Studies show that all varieties of cumin seeds (cumin, black cumin, and bitter cumin) are excellent sources of antioxidants and can scavenge harmful free oxygen radicals (6). 

Thymoquinone, the chief bioactive ingredient in black cumin seeds, shows hepatoprotectiveⁱ  The ability of a drug or chemical substance to prevent damage to the liver, improve its function and promote liver cell generation. effects (7). It helps in cleansing the body of harmful toxins.

5. Anti-inflammatory

The active ingredients in cumin seeds have anti-inflammatory properties (8). A constant state of inflammation can lead to inflammation-induced obesity, and drinking jeera water or cumin water can help prevent that.

Studies showed that cumin seed oil could prevent inflammation by blocking the crosstalk between the cells and inhibiting the signaling pathways (7).

6. Lowers LDL Cholesterol Levels

Cumin can help improve HDL cholesterol levels and lower LDL cholesterol levels. Scientists from Iran studied the effect of cumin powder on obese women and determined their body composition and lipid profile. The study showed reduced levels of LDL cholesterol and triglyceridesⁱ  A type of fat that gets stored in fat cells when you consume extra calories your body does not need immediately. and higher HDL (good) cholesterol levels with lower body fat percentage (1).

7. Improves Insulin Sensitivity

Cumin helps to sensitize insulin and make it available to cells. Insulin Resistance (IR) (inability of the cells to utilize insulin) decreases glucose uptake by cells. The more the number of fat cells, the higher the risk of IR and type 2 diabetes.

A rat study found that effective combinations of essential oils, including cumin oil, helped reduce blood glucose levels and increased insulin sensitivity (9). 

How To Use Cumin For Weight Loss

The recipe for making this healthy drink is super easy. It is best to make jeera water in a glass, stainless steel, or copper bowl. Cover it with a lid to prevent contamination.

To prepare jeera water, you need:

• 2 teaspoons jeera
• 1 cup of water

How To Prepare

1. Soak two teaspoons of cumin seeds in a cup of water overnight.
2. In the morning, either drink this water directly or boil it for about 10 minutes, let it cool down to room temperature, and drink it.

When To Drink Jeera Water For Weight Loss

You must drink jeera water three times a day for effective weight loss.

• 1st cup – In the morning, on an empty stomach
• 2nd cup – 20 minutes before lunch
• 3rd cup – 20 minutes after dinner

Other Jeera Water Recipes For Weight Loss

1. Jeera Water And Lime

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 cup of water
• ½ lime

How To Prepare

1. Soak two teaspoons of cumin seeds in a cup of water overnight.
2. In the morning, strain the water and add the juice of half a lime.
3. Stir well and drink.

Benefits

Lime is a good source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant (10). It can boost immunity, flush the toxins out, and help maintain the body’s internal pH. It is also an effective fat burner as well as a digestive aid.

Saloni, a blogger, who once grappled with post-pregnancy weight, discovered the efficacy of cumin water in her weight loss journey: “About 11 months after giving birth to my son, I started my weight loss journey and was back in shape in no time. What helped me bring my weight down was a simple spice which is readily available in every kitchen – jeera or cumin seeds (i).” With a touch of lime and a dash of commitment, she found it to be a refreshing addition to her mornings.

2. Jeera Water And Cinnamon

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon ground Ceylon cinnamon

How To Prepare

1. Soak two teaspoons of cumin seeds in a cup of water overnight.
2. In the morning, add the ground Ceylon cinnamon and boil the water for 5 minutes.
3. Let the water cool down. Strain and drink.

Benefits

Ceylon cinnamon aids weight loss by lowering blood glucose levels and reducing stress. In a study, supplementing with 3 g of Ceylon cinnamon for 16 weeks showed significant improvement in all components of metabolic syndrome (11).

3. Jeera Water And Apple Cider Vinegar

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

How To Prepare

1. Soak two teaspoons of cumin seeds in a cup of water overnight.
2. In the morning, strain the water and add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
3. Stir well before drinking.

Benefits

An experiment on high-fat-fed mice showed that the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar was effective in increasing fatty acid oxidation (the breakdown of fat molecules) (12).

You can also include jeera or cumin in your daily diet to improve digestion, prevent constipation, and induce weight loss.

Quick Tip

You can also add lime juice to enhance the efficacy and taste of the drink

Ingredients

• ½ cup yogurt
• 2 teaspoons cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• A pinch of salt

How To Prepare

1. Add yogurt, cumin powder, lime juice, and salt to a bowl.
2. Mix well and have it for lunch.

Tip:

You can add chopped cucumber, tomato, onion, cilantro, or sprouts to the cumin and yogurt mix to make a delicious salad.

4. Jeera Water And Ajwain

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon of cumin (jeera) seeds
• 1 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of ajwain seeds

How To Prepare

1. Boil the water in a pan, then add in the jeera and ajwain seeds
2. Let the blend boil for a few minutes until the water changes its color.
3. Strain the water and let it cool for a bit.
4. Mix the blend well and store it.
5. Drink it in the morning on an empty stomach.

Benefits

Anecdotal evidence suggests that ajwain seeds may have appetite-suppressing effects and may help reduce hunger cravings. This detox drink for weight loss, thus, controls calorie intake and aids weight management. However, limited data is available in this regard.

Ways To Add Cumin or Jeera To Your Diet

• Add cumin seeds to your detox water.
• Add cumin powder to salads, grilled chicken, fish, paneer, tofu, and curries.
• Temper lentils with cumin seeds.

Tip:

Make sure you don’t overburn them while cooking as that will destroy all the goodness of the cumin seeds.

Other Health Benefits

• Potent sleep inducer.
• Cumin seeds are loaded with iron (2). This can help treat anemia.
• Help boost brain function.
• Help cool the body down.

Fun Fact

Cumin water is considered an aphrodisiac in Ayurveda, especially when consumed with honey and black pepper.

Possible Side Effects of Jeera Water

Cumin (jeera) is non-toxic and generally safe to consume. It may trigger the following adverse symptoms if taken in excess (7):

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Abdominal pain

Infographic: Traditional Uses Of Cumin

Cumin or jeera water is commonly used to lose body weight. However, it also has a wide range of health-promoting effects besides weight loss, making it one of the most preferred herbs in the traditional medicines of different regions. In this infographic, we look into the applications of cumin in folk medicine and list some of its health-boosting properties. Keep scrolling.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight can I lose with jeera water?

Jeera water helps in boosting metabolic rate and accelerates weight loss if combined with other holistic approaches. You can lose 2-4 kg in a month, which varies as per the age, weight, and medical conditions.

How many times should I drink jeera water for weight loss?

You can drink jeera water 3 times in a day, along with following portion control. Have the first cup in the morning on an empty stomach, second cup 20 minutes before lunch, and third cup 20 minutes after dinner.

Can I drink jeera water before exercise?

No, jeera water cannot boost energy and does not help as a pre-workout meal. Instead, you can drink this as a weight loss drink before a meal to improve digestion.

Is black jeera effective in weight loss?

According to a study, black jeera helped reduce body weight and improved BMI and waist circumference (13). However, further studies are needed to clarify these effects.

Is jeera hot or cold for the body?

Jeera is hot for the body. You may add other ingredients discussed above to balance it out if needed.

Can I drink jeera water at night to lose weight?

Yes, you can drink jeera water at night to lose weight. Drink it 20 minutes after dinner.

Illustration: Jeera Water For Weight Loss - Benefits How To Make & Risks

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Lose those extra kilos with ease! Add jeera/cumin water to your diet today and see visible results. Check out this video!

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Ionut Ignat(RDN, PHD, MD)

   

Ionut Ignat is a registered nutritionist and dietitian in Romania with 35 years of experience. After graduating from medical school (Nutrition & Dietetics), he followed it up with a Master's Degree in Clinical & Pathological Food Disorders and Addictions and a PhD in Oncology Nutrition and Dietetics.

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