We live in a time where stress has become a part of our lives. And excessive stress leads to weight gain. To help people lose weight, diet fads have garnered immense popularity. Although these diets fizzle out in no time, what truly remains are the ancient remedies that have been followed for hundreds of years.
One such remedy popular in Indian households is drinking jeera water for weight loss. The moment we hear the word jeera (cumin), we instantly associate the spice with weight loss.
We all are familiar with heartburn, bloating, acid reflux and other discomforts after consuming a heavy meal or junk food. Instead of turning to antibiotics, one can fix gut-related issues in a jiffy just by consuming our grandmother's treasured hack – jeera water.
Jeera or cumin is a popular spice in Indian households. The nutty flavour of jeera instantaneously enhances the flavours in Indian cuisine. Just like ajwain, jeera is also a favourite spice of our ancestors for its healing properties since decades.
Whether we are facing digestive or gut-related issues, or want to aid fat or weight loss, the best home remedy to resort to is jeera water. This detox drink is easy to prepare and is readily available in every household. Keep on reading if you want to know how to make ieera water for weight loss.
01Jeera (Cumin) Water Basics
There are innumerable benefits of consuming jeera water. Health begins with gut, and jeera contains compounds like aldehyde and phosphorus that help in digestion, reducing blood sugar levels, boosting immunity and detoxifying the body. Jeera is also a rich source of vitamins and minerals that speed up metabolism.
Increased metabolism can aid faster weight loss. If you're wondering is jeera water good for weight loss the answer would be yes, as a tablespoon of jeera has approximately only about eight calories.
A compound called thymol present in jeera promotes the breakdown of nutrients like fat, sugar and proteins, which ensures smooth functioning of the gut. The spice also relieves gas and reduces bloating, and helps in flushing the toxins out of the system.
One way to consume jeera is by roasting it till the aromatic fragrance is released and then grinding it into a fine powder. You can add the roasted jeera powder on top of salads or fruits or even mix it with yoghurt. Jeera is also consumed in the form of Jal Jeera, a flavourful and refreshing drink which is consumed by many Indian households after dinner or a heavy meal.
For weight loss, the best way to consume jeera water is on an empty stomach in the morning. You can even store it in a bottle and sip on it throughout the day. Not only for weight loss, but jeera water is also beneficial for hair and skin. The process of how to prepare jeera water for weight loss is super easy and less time-consuming. Let us show you the easiest way to make this concoction, ready to drink in a couple of minutes.
Step 1: Soak Cumin Seeds
All you need is a spoonful or two of jeera and two cups of water. Heat the water in a saucepan and add jeera into the water. Allow the water to simmer for a couple of minutes till it reaches the boiling point.
Switch off the flame, cover the saucepan with a lid and allow the jeera to rest for 10 minutes in the water. This will help infuse the jeera properly in the water. If you do not want to boil the jeera, you can just soak the spice in water, cover it for 10 minutes (or overnight) and it is ready to consume. Soaking cumin seeds is essential as it swells up and releases essential nutrients.
Step 2: Strain the Cumin Seeds
After the water is infused with the jeera properly, the water will turn earthy yellow in colour. Strain the jeera water in a glass or a cup. Discard the seeds and enjoy the jeera water with leisure.
Step 3: Add Honey
If you do not like the rusty flavour of jeera water, add half a teaspoon of honey to enhance the taste. Honey is also advised when one is on a weight loss journey. Not only it is an excellent alternative to sugar, but is also known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Honey is also known to suppress the appetite, and hence helps in avoiding unnecessary snacking throughout the day.
Step 4: Drink on an Empty Stomach
Drinking jeera water on an empty stomach will help in digestion, boosting metabolism, relieving constipation and flushing out the toxins from the body, first thing in the morning. It is best advised to have jeera water warm. One can also add lemon, haldi (turmeric) or cinnamon in their jeera water. All these ingredients make for a perfect combination to enhance taste and weight loss.
As we all know too much of anything is bad for the health. If consumed wrongly, excess amount of jeera water can have side effects. Since jeera water is heaty, if consumed in excess during menses it can lead to heavy bleeding.
Since jeera has the ability to reduce blood sugar levels, the quantity needs to be in check for diabetics and pregnant women. There is also a possibility where excess amounts of jeera can lower production of breastmilk. Hence, lactating mothers are restricted from the consumption of jeera water.
Pregnant women are advised to consult their doctor before consuming the spice. Another prominent side effects of jeera water are bad odour and burps. The bottom line is jeera water is a bundle of goodness, rich in nutrients and helps with fast and effective weight loss, if consumed appropriately. If you are not already having this magical drink, this is your sign to include jeera water in your diet today.
02FAQs about How to Prepare Jeera Water for Weight Loss
Q. Can jeera water reduce belly fat?
A. Jeera water will not specifically target only belly fat, but will help in boosting overall fat loss. Since it improves metabolism and digestion, jeera water helps in detoxing the gut.
Q. Can jeera water be consumed during periods?
A. Yes, jeera has anti-inflammatory properties and helps in relieving period cramps, if consumed in moderation.
Q. How much weight can you lose with jeera water?
A. Weight loss is a journey and requires adopting a healthy lifestyle. Yes, jeera water can help you lose weight but just a few kilos. It can help in increasing the metabolism rate which will help in boosting weight loss.
