Benefits of Chewing Cardamom After Meals: Ancient Wisdom Backed by Science

Having high calorie or heavy meals is a common practice among Indian communities. At the same time, concluding an enjoyable meal with a mouth-fresher that is both aromatic and taste-worthy, has also been an essential part of our culinary culture. Our ancestors knew that this habit supports the digestive activities of our stomach very well.

Among many of the spices that have been used in our country as mouth-freshers, cardamom is one of the most important. Little do we know about this spice gem that originated in ‘God’s Own Country’ Kerala. In this article, we will explore some of the key benefits of chewing cardamom after you have your meals.


Its powerfully potent properties and the rich, majestic and beautiful fragrance gifted this spice the affectionate nickname the “queen of spices.” Being a favourite among the royal families and households in the past, cardamom, was used in many different ways. Indeed, some of the books of Ayurveda, recommend this spice as one of the most important element in making medicines and remedies. Now let’s move on to the main topic of our article- the precious gains of chewing cardamom after meals.

During the times of our forefathers, a lot of the vehicles and other travelling amenities that we enjoy today, were not available. Hence, they used to travel mostly on foot. This is the reason why a high calorie meal was a necessity for them. But, from ancestral wisdom, they also knew the power of cardamom when it comes to the health of our digestive system.

Today, Science has proved that, elaichi (another name of cardamom) stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes in our bodies through the natural elements, such as essential oils and cineole, that are present in it. Thus, when we are chewing elaichi after meals, gas, acidity and bloating in our stomach will reduce. This will relax the muscles of our stomach, ensuring that the whole digestion process becomes smoother.


This is one of the most famous ancient uses of cardamom. Being a natural mouth freshener, the fragrant oils present in the spice quietly fights the oral bacteria, leaving a pleasant and fresh smell in the mouth. Just chewing a single piece of cardamom after meals can itself be very impactful. Once it is inside the mouth, it works by neutralising the onion or garlic breath, helping us maintain oral hygiene that lasts for the whole day. Additionally, elaichi washes away the bacteria and food particles from our mouth by stimulating saliva production. But remember to consume them in moderation.

Elaichi stimulates our kidneys and liver and, as a result, promotes detoxification. This is due to the presence of antioxidants and other compounds in the spice. If you keep chewing cardamom regularly, your body will become more efficient in flushing out toxins. Furthermore, this activity will also subtly increase the metabolism of your body.

This happens due to the mildly spicy and sweet taste of the cardamom. When both these tastes work together on your tongue, the craving for sugary snacks or dessert after meals will deteriorate. Overeating will also get reduced due to elaichi’s calming smell that will transform the habit of chewing it into a very mindful activity.

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