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Cumin

Cuminum cyminum

Also known as cumin, jeera, comino

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The dried seed of Cuminum cyminum, used whole or ground across South Asian, Middle Eastern and Latin American cooking. The USDA entry is per 100 g of seed, whereas a teaspoon is around two grams.

Heart HealthGut & Digestive HealthWeight Management

Potential health benefits

Best supported: Limited

Ordered by how well the human research supports them — strongest first. A rating describes the state of the evidence, not how impressive the food is. How we rate evidence.

Blood lipid profile

Heart Health
Limited evidence

A small number of randomised trials of cumin powder or extract report reductions in triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. The trials are small, short, mostly from a narrow set of research groups, and use doses well above ordinary seasoning.

Limited evidence. Early human work, or mostly lab and animal research.

4 sources

Deep research mode adds each paper’s own conclusion and stated limitations.

Digestive comfort

Gut & Digestive Health
Limited evidence

Cumin has a traditional use for bloating, and a small number of trials of cumin oil in irritable bowel syndrome report symptom improvement. The evidence base is very small and uses concentrated oil rather than the seed.

Limited evidence. Early human work, or mostly lab and animal research.

1 source

Deep research mode adds each paper’s own conclusion and stated limitations.

Body composition

Weight Management
Insufficient evidence

Cumin is promoted for weight loss on the strength of a few short trials with methodological limitations and no independent replication. That is not enough to draw a conclusion from.

Insufficient evidence. Not enough human research to say anything useful yet.

3 sources

Deep research mode adds each paper’s own conclusion and stated limitations.

Ask about Cumin

Ask about Cumin

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Key nutrients

Nutrient content per 100 grams
NutrientAmount% DV
Macronutrients
Calories375 kcal19%
Protein17.8 g36%
Total fat22.3 g29%
Carbohydrate44.2 g16%
Fibre10.5 g38%
Total sugars2.25 g—
Water8.06 g—
Fats
Saturated fat1.53 g8%
Monounsaturated fat14 g—
Polyunsaturated fat3.28 g—
Cholesterol0 mg0%
EPA (omega-3)0 g—
DHA (omega-3)0 g—
DPA (omega-3)0 g—
Linoleic acid (omega-6)3.1 g—
Vitamins
Vitamin A64 µg7%
Vitamin C7.7 mg9%
Vitamin D0 µg0%
Vitamin E3.33 mg22%
Vitamin K5.4 µg5%
Thiamin (B1)0.628 mg52%
Riboflavin (B2)0.327 mg25%
Niacin (B3)4.58 mg29%
Vitamin B60.435 mg26%
Folate10 µg3%
Vitamin B120 µg0%
Choline24.7 mg4%
Minerals
Calcium931 mg72%
Iron66.4 mg369%
Magnesium366 mg87%
Phosphorus499 mg40%
Potassium1788 mg38%
Sodium168 mg7%
Zinc4.8 mg44%
Copper0.867 mg96%
Manganese3.33 mg145%
Selenium5.2 µg9%
Other measured compounds
Beta-carotene762 µg—
Alpha-carotene0 µg—
Lycopene0 µg—
Lutein + zeaxanthin448 µg—
Caffeine0 mg—
Ash7.62 g—

Nutrient values are per 100 g of the USDA reference entry named on this page and vary with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

Source record: Spices, cumin seed (USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 170923).

% DV uses the FDA Daily Values for adults and children aged 4 and over. A dash means no Daily Value has been established for that nutrient.

Bioactive compounds

Compounds present in meaningful amounts. Presence is banded rather than quantified, because whole-food levels vary enormously with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

How preparation changes things

Only effects with real support are listed. If a preparation method is missing, it is because nothing dependable is documented — not because it makes no difference.

  • roastedChanges aroma compounds

    Dry-toasting whole cumin seed before grinding drives Maillard reactions that change its aroma profile markedly. This is a flavour effect; it has not been shown to change any health-relevant property.

Things to know

Allergies, interactions and intake concerns. Every food gets this section — a reference where everything is uniformly good is not a reference.

  • Allergy

    Undeclared peanut protein has been found in ground cumin

    Ground cumin was the subject of large international recalls after undeclared peanut protein was detected in shipments, triggering warnings to people with peanut allergy. Anyone with a severe peanut allergy should buy ground cumin only from a supplier with allergen controls.

  • Allergy

    Apiaceae cross-reactivity

    Cumin belongs to the carrot family, and allergy to it is documented, sometimes alongside sensitivity to celery, carrot, fennel, coriander or mugwort pollen.

  • Interaction

    Additive with glucose-lowering medication

    Trial doses of cumin powder have produced small reductions in fasting glucose. Anyone on insulin or a sulfonylurea taking cumin at supplement scale should be aware of a possible additive effect.