scored 94/100
Also known as cuminum cyminum, jeera, ground cumin, comino
Ground cumin is a warm, earthy seed powder exceptionally high in iron and rich in calcium, manganese, and aldehyde antioxidants supporting digestion and metabolism.
0.7 g net carbs after fiber.
Representative amounts for this food, not measured for this item. Real content varies widely by variety, ripeness and storage.
These are the scored components, not a sum: the published score also reflects normalisation across the catalog, so the parts above will not add to 94.
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is the ground seed of a flowering plant in the parsley family, native to the eastern Mediterranean and South Asia and central to Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mexican cuisines. Its characteristic warm, earthy flavor comes from cuminaldehyde, the dominant volatile aldehyde, supported by terpenes (pinene, terpinene), thymol, and flavonoid antioxidants. Ground cumin is concentrated at about 375 kcal per 100g, providing 18g protein, 44g carbohydrate (10.5g fiber), and a substantial 22g fat from its essential-oil-rich seeds. Its standout mineral is iron at a remarkable 66.4mg per 100g—among the densest plant iron sources—along with 931mg calcium, 366mg magnesium, 3.3mg manganese, 1788mg potassium, 4.8mg zinc, and 0.87mg copper. It also supplies vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, niacin, and B6. The longevity thesis combines its dense antioxidant load with traditional digestive benefits: cuminaldehyde stimulates salivary and digestive enzyme secretion, and human trials suggest cumin may aid weight management and improve lipid profiles. Like other seed spices its iron and fat-soluble compounds absorb best when bloomed in oil. Typical culinary doses are 1-5g daily.
Cuminaldehyde stimulates secretion of pancreatic enzymes and bile, accelerating digestion and easing gas and indigestion
Exceptional iron density (66mg/100g) contributes meaningful non-heme iron, supporting oxygen transport especially when paired with vitamin C
Cuminaldehyde, thymol, and flavonoids scavenge free radicals and dampen inflammatory signaling
Trials show cumin powder modestly lowers total cholesterol, triglycerides, and body weight, possibly via enhanced fat metabolism
Cumin's digestive-enzyme stimulation and fat-soluble antioxidants are most beneficial consumed within a meal.
Fasting-compatible
Negligible calories at culinary doses; pairing with vitamin C optimizes iron absorption.
Per 100 g of the default form. Bars show how much higher or lower cumin (ground) is than the average across 76 peer foods in this category. Green means a favorable direction; amber means the opposite.
Cumin (Ground) is classified as a herbs & spices. Ground cumin is a warm, earthy seed powder exceptionally high in iron and rich in calcium, manganese, and aldehyde antioxidants supporting digestion and metabolism.
Cumin (Ground) scores 94/100 in Formulate, making it an exceptional choice. Its strongest contributions come from Iron, Manganese, Copper. The score blends nutrient density, fiber, healthy fats, protein quality, bioactive compounds, and glycemic impact.
Not particularly. A 2 g serving provides about 0.4 g of protein (~1% of the 50 g daily value).
Not really. A 2 g serving provides about 0.2 g of fiber (~1% of the 28 g daily value).
Yes — it fits comfortably in most keto plans. A 2 g serving has about 0.7 g of net carbs (0.9 g total minus 0.2 g fiber).
Best in the with meals. Cumin's digestive-enzyme stimulation and fat-soluble antioxidants are most beneficial consumed within a meal.
A typical serving is around 2 g (~8 kcal), based on the FDA's Reference Amount Customarily Consumed for this food category. There's no fixed daily target — most adults benefit from rotating cumin (ground) alongside several other herbs & spices sources.
Cumin (Ground) pairs nicely with: Pair with lentils and beans because cumin's iron complements legume meals and its compounds reduce digestive gas; Combine with citrus or tomatoes because vitamin C sharply increases absorption of cumin's non-heme iron; Bloom in hot oil with onions because cuminaldehyde and fat-soluble terpenes release fully into the cooking fat.
Encyclopedia entries that supply the same signature nutrients cumin (ground) contributes. Click through to see clinical dose ranges, evidence quality, and bioavailable forms.
These are the nutrients cumin (ground)contributes meaningfully toward (≥10% DV per 100 g serving). Click one to see what it does in the body, which supplements concentrate it, and which other foods are top sources.