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History- Native to
Europe and
West
Asia, caraway are crescent shaped seeds with a flavor similar to anise. They are used to spice liquor, rye bread, and cheese such as havarti.
They have been used to treat digestive orders including loss of appetite. Caraway
oil is used for soaps and lotions, and the root is prepared like other
root vegetables.
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Health Benefits-
Although the benefits are minimal due to a typical serving size being
less than 1 tsp, caraway does contain a number of nutritional benefits
including protein for muscles and calcium for bone health. They contain magnesium which may be beneficial in managing hypertension,
cardiovascular disease and disorders involving airway constriction by
promoting relaxed, normal muscle function and stabilizing blood sugar
and blood pressure. They also contain potassium to normalize blood
pressure and water levels in the body, phosphorous and zinc for immune
system support and blood cell formation. Caraway contains copper, manganese and selenium. Selenium is
involved in detoxification of the body. Caraway contains antioxidant vitamins C and A
which neutralize free radicals, prevent cholesterol build-up and
support a healthy immune system as well as healthy skin and vision.
Caraway contains a variety of B vitamins including thiamine,
riboflavin, niacin, and folate important for fetal development. Niacin is utilized in processing fats and energy production. Riboflavin and thiamine are important to
healthy nails and hair. Caraway also contains vitamin K which is
involved in blood clot formation and is important to healthy bones. It
also supplies lutein and zeaxanthin essential for healthy
vision.
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Preparation-
If you’re lucky enough to find caraway in the spice aisle or in
specialty grocery stores, you can use it to flavor breads, or any
number of dishes you’re cooking. They can be used whole, or ground into
a coarse or fine powder and sprinkled in as you would any other
seasoning. It can be used to flavor meats or vegetables.
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Caraway