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

Level up your weight-loss journey with this low-calorie and nutritious drink.

Medically reviewed by Ionut Ignat, RDN
Written by Charushila Biswas, MSc (Biotechnology), ISSA Certified Fitness Nutritionist
Edited by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma
Fact-checked by Moksha Gandhi, BPharm, Certified Health & Wellness Coach  • 

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  XA 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

Jeera water is low in calories
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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

Jeera water promotes digestion
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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  XAn enzyme secreted by salivary and pancreatic glands and found in tissues, blood, and urine in small levels that helps digest carbohydrates. , lipasei  XA digestive enzyme or digestive juice made in the pancreas, salivary glands, and stomach that breaks down fats and helps in their absorption. , proteasei  XAn enzyme that breaks down proteins into single amino acids (ingredients that make up protein) found in animals and plants. , and phytasei  XA 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  XThe 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  XA 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

Jeera water improves insulin sensitivity
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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

Jeera water promotes weight loss
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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

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.

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

The combination of cumin and yogurt tastes great. You can use this combo as a salad dressing or have it for lunch or dinner. Here’s how to prepare it:

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

Possible Side Effects of Jeera Water

Jeera water may trigger nausea and abdominal pain
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Cumin 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.

traditional uses of cumin (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Including jeera water for weight loss in your daily diet and wellness routine will help reduce signs of inflammation-induced obesity. The benefits of jeera water also include boosting your digestive metabolism and detoxification. While diet modifications can help you see a visible difference, you need to be patient about it. Complement the intake of jeera water with a healthy diet plan, an exercise routine, and an active lifestyle to see a visible difference in your weight and overall health over time.

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?

Jeera water cannot boost energy and does not help as a pre-workout meal. You can drink jeera water 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.

Key Takeaways

  • Drinking jeera water regularly can boost metabolism and help to lose weight.
  • Try drinking jeera water to help your bowel movements; it increases digestive enzymes that promote good digestion.
  • Keep your heart’s health in check by having jeera water for it helps in controlling cholesterol levels in your body.
  • Jeera water can reduce inflammation, bloating, and reduce water retention, which can eventually help you lose weight.
jeera water for weight loss_illustration

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!

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Effect of cumin powder on body composition and lipid profile in overweight and obese women, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25456022
  2. Nutritive Value of Seeds, Cumin Seeds, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
    https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170923/nutrients
  3. The Effect of Cumin cyminum L. Plus Lime Administration on Weight Loss and Metabolic Status in Overweight Subjects: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5065707/
  4. Cumin Extract for Symptom Control in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Case Series, Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3990147/
  5. Enhancement of digestive enzymatic activity by cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) and role of spent cumin as a bionutrient, Elsevier, Science Direct.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814608002483
  6. Antioxidant potency of cumin varieties—cumin, black cumin and bitter cumin—on antioxidant systems, European Food Research and Technology, Springer Link.
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00217-004-1087-y
  7. Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cumin Essential Oil by Blocking JNK, ERK, and NF-κB Signaling Pathways in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells, Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4575746/
  8. The pharmacological activities of Cuminum cyminum – A review, IOSR Journal of Pharmacy, ResearchGate.
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313742829_The_pharmacological_activities_of_Cuminum_cyminum_-A_review
  9. Effects of a novel formulation of essential oils on glucose-insulin metabolism in diabetic and hypertensive rats: a pilot study, Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15715893
  10. Antioxidant effects of Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) juice and peel extract on LDL oxidation, Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22279465
  11. Effect of oral cinnamon intervention on metabolic profile and body composition of Asian Indians with metabolic syndrome: a randomized double -blind control trial, Lipids in Health and Diabetes, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5469078/
  12. Acetic acid upregulates the expression of genes for fatty acid oxidation enzymes in liver to suppress body fat accumulation, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19469536
  13. The effects of Nigella sativa L. on obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29559374
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