Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) is a useful herb used in cooking. The word Anethum comes from Greece, meaning “strong smell”. The main parts of this tasty herb used in cooking are the leaves and dried fruits (seeds). The seeds come from the ends of bunches of flowers. As the plant grows older, the seeds go from being bright green to turning brown. People say that the smell of the seeds is similar to caraway, and the taste is described in different ways, such as strong, sharp, slightly bitter, and tangy [1, 2].
Dill seeds have been discovered to have many health benefits. It has been found that they may help with diabetes, inflammation, high levels of lipids in the blood, muscle spasms, the immune system, skin& hair health, and the digestive system. Let’s learn about dill seeds’ benefits, nutritional value, and side effects.
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Uses Of Dill Seeds
People often use dill seeds as a spice in many different types of food since they provide many nutritional benefits. The Ayurvedic uses of dill seeds are carminative, stomachic, and diuretic. Dill seed oil is extracted through distillation and used to make soap [3]. You can crush the dill seeds and add them to soups, bread, and vegetable dishes. It is also used to make dill pickles.
Dill Seeds Nutrition
The main odorant in dill seeds is carvone, which is one of several volatile substances. Coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and steroids are other materials extracted from dill seeds [4].
Dill seeds have few calories and are mostly made up of carbohydrates, with a small amount of fats and proteins. A serving of dill seeds that weighs 100 grams contains about 305 calories, 55 grams of carbohydrates, 14. 5 grams of fat, and 16 grams of proteins. The nutritional content of dill seeds may change a little depending on how they are grown, processed, and stored [5].
Adding dill seeds to your meals can give you different nutrients and improve your health. However, it is important to eat them as part of a well-rounded diet instead of just relying on their nutritional value.
Note: Please be aware that this article is only meant to provide information and should not be used instead of guidance from a medical professional.
Phytochemicals
Dill seeds have different natural chemicals like flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids that help protect against damage and reduce inflammation in the body. These substances have been linked to possible health benefits, such as reducing the chances of chronic illnesses. The detected phytochemicals are listed in this reference.
Minerals
Dill seeds contain important minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, and magnesium. These minerals are very important for different functions of our body, like keeping our bones healthy, helping enzymes work properly, and transporting oxygen throughout the body [5].
Vitamins
Dill seeds have lots of vitamins, especially vitamin C. This vitamin is crucial for helping the immune system, making collagen, and getting iron into the body. Dill seeds also have a little bit of other vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin E, and a few B vitamins [5].
Dill Seeds Health Benefits
Dill seeds can be beneficial if you wish to improve your health. Dill seeds have been found to have certain health benefits. They are both safe and effective for treating many different health conditions. For instance, Dill seeds can help with low blood sugar and problems with the stomach and esophagus. The following are some potential benefits of dill seeds:
Antioxidant And Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Dill seeds have substances called antioxidants and flavonoids that can help decrease oxidative stress and inflammation in the body caused by harmful substances. This could help prevent long-lasting diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Digestive Health
Dill seeds can help improve digestion and have many health benefits for the digestive system. They can help the digestive system by making more digestive enzymes. They can also make you feel better when you have gas and bloating and also may help you stop nausea and vomiting. Dill seed extract markedly inhibits acid secretion and the occurrence of lesions in the stomach. Dill seed extracts can protect the mucus of the digestive system and reduce excessive secretion [6].
Respiratory Health
Dill seeds can also make your breathing better. They can make it easier to breathe by thinning mucus and promoting the production of phlegm. They can also help with coughs and colds and may decrease inflammation in the airways.
Immune Health
Dill seeds have healthy substances called antioxidants that can make your immune system stronger. They can also help to fight against germs, and they might decrease swelling.
Bone Health
Dill seeds have calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These nutrients are important for healthy bones. They can assist in making bones stronger and healthier.
Skin Health
Dill seeds can make your skin healthier by reducing acne and eczema. They can also shield the skin from harm caused by the sun and pollution.
Hair Health
Dill seeds can help hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp. In addition, they may help prevent hair from falling out.
Mental Health
Dill seeds may also assist in lowering feelings of anxiety and stress, improving thinking abilities and sleep quality. The research proposes that consuming dill seeds may be a good way to lesson anxiety during childbirth. Dill seeds can help make labor shorter. The boiling dill seed can also aid in reducing the number of cesarean sections in women who are fearful and anxious about giving birth since there aren’t many issues for the mother and baby.
Blood Pressure Regulation
Consuming dill seeds stimulates the body to generate more urine, which increases urine production. Increased urine production can lower blood pressure since it can decrease the amount of fluid that passes through the arteries and veins.
Weight Loss
Dill seeds are in low calories and high in dietary fiber, so they can contribute to weight management by promoting a feeling of satiety. Moreover, consuming dill seed essential oil can decrease the levels of triacylglyceride.
Anti-Diabetic Effect
Carveol is a natural substance found in the dill seeds oil. Studies have shown that carveol can bind to different targets related to diabetes. It also has actions that can help with diabetes, lower high lipid levels, and protect the liver.
Anti-Convulsant Effect
Research has shown that the liquid extract taken from dill seeds can help delay the start of certain types of seizures, including myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures. The data suggests that the dill seed extract helped in a convulsion experiment. It could be used alongside other epilepsy medicines [7].
Anti-Microbial Effect
Strong-smelling oils from fully grown dill seeds collected during the later stages of growth demonstrated the strongest anti-microbial effect. The geographical origin of dill doesn’t have much impact on how well its essential oil can fight against bacteria. The anti-bacterial tests showed that the essential oil of dill seed has strong germ-fighting abilities. It fights against mold Aspergillus niger and yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans. Dill seed oil may be a good natural way to fight against fungus.
Mouthwash
It is said that mouth rinses have been used for many years to kill germs, refresh breath, and provide medication. Dill seeds are also useful for treating oral infections. Dill seed is known to have a lot of calcium, manganese, and iron. It also has metabolites called flavonoids that can help your body fight off damage, reduce inflammation, and protect against viruses.
The antioxidants in dill seeds can protect the gums and teeth from injury caused by dangerous elements known as free radicals. Researchers have found that dill seed oil and Hexodent (a mouthwash containing 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate) work equally well in reducing plaque and improving gum health.
Dill Seeds Benefits For Female
Dill seeds can be used either as a regulatory agent of the menstrual cycle for women with irregular cycles or as an antifertility agent.
Dill Seeds Benefits For Male
Dill seeds have substances that might help increase testosterone levels. Having enough testosterone is important for men’s reproductive health, sex drive, energy levels, and overall feeling good.
Dill Seeds Side Effects
Studies have shown that dill seed extract can induce infertility without causing any changes to the oocyte structure. This herb extract reduced the development of oocytes in a way that depended on the dosage used. The study found that dill seed extract boosted granulosa cells’ activity but harmed oocyte development. Therefore, consuming dill seed in excess may have an bad effect on fertility [8].
Another research suggests that dill seed extract can lower male fertility by changing certain sugars on the surface of male reproductive organs involved in sperm development, maturation, and recognition of oocytes [9].
Conclusion
Dill seeds benefits are numerous. They are useful herbal seeds that can help with many different health problems. Dill seeds are safe and work well to treat many different health problems. Dill seeds can benefit your health, but everyone’s experience might differ. As a result, it’s best to talk to your physician for advice that fits your specific needs.
