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Limited evidenceGut health

Cardamom

A culinary spice with a handful of small metabolic trials, mostly from Iran. The measured effects are real but tiny, and nothing supports the traditional digestive claims in a controlled setting.

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What the science says

  • Blood lipids Limited evidence

    A meta-analysis of five randomised trials found no significant change in total cholesterol, LDL or HDL with cardamom; only triglycerides fell, by about 21 mg/dL. The trials were small and few enrolled dyslipidaemic patients specifically.

  • Blood pressure and inflammation Limited evidence

    A meta-analysis of eight trials in 595 patients with metabolic syndrome found green cardamom lowered diastolic blood pressure by 0.9 mmHg and hs-CRP by 1.2 mg/L, with no effect on systolic pressure. The blood pressure change is too small to matter clinically.

  • Digestion and bloating Limited evidence

    Cardamom's use as a carminative comes from tradition and from essential-oil pharmacology; no placebo-controlled trial has tested it for dyspepsia, bloating or gas in humans.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseMost trials used 3 g/day of green cardamom powder, divided into three doses, for 8–12 weeks.
SafetySafe as a food. High supplemental intakes may worsen reflux in some people and there are case reports of contact allergy. Cardamom may add to the effect of antihypertensive or antiplatelet medication; those with gallstones should be cautious, as it stimulates bile flow.

How to take it

TimingSplit 3 g into three doses across the day, as in the trials.
With food?With food.
Worth knowingIt stimulates bile flow, so go carefully if you have gallstones.

Interactions

With medications

  • blood pressure medication

    Cardamom lowers blood pressure slightly at supplemental doses, adding to the drug effect. monitor your blood pressure when starting

  • antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs

    Supplemental doses may add modestly to the bleeding tendency. mention it to your doctor and stop it before surgery

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does cardamom lower cholesterol?

Cardamom has limited evidence for cholesterol: a meta-analysis of five small trials found no significant change in total cholesterol, LDL or HDL, with only triglycerides falling by about 21 mg/dL. Cardamom is not a meaningful cholesterol-lowering supplement.

Does cardamom lower blood pressure?

In a meta-analysis of eight trials in 595 people with metabolic syndrome, green cardamom lowered diastolic blood pressure by only 0.9 mmHg and had no effect on systolic pressure. The evidence is limited and the change is too small to matter clinically.

Does cardamom help with bloating and digestion?

Cardamom's reputation for digestion and bloating comes from tradition and essential-oil pharmacology; no placebo-controlled trial has tested cardamom for dyspepsia, bloating or gas in humans. The evidence is limited.

How much cardamom should I take a day?

Most cardamom trials used 3 g/day of green cardamom powder, split into three doses with food, for 8–12 weeks. At supplemental doses cardamom may add to blood pressure or antiplatelet medication, and it stimulates bile flow, so be cautious if you have gallstones.

Scientific references

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