Studies have not established the effect of cumin on breast cancer
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum), a traditional ingredient of Indian curry, has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticonvulsant properties. Cumin should not be confused with curcumin, which is the most active ingredient of turmeric (curcuma longa). Cumin contains multiple biologically active components, including cuminal, cumin aldehyde, safranal, p-cymene, β-pinene, γ-terpinene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, apigenin, luteolin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and ferulic acid.
Cancer-related effects of eating cumin
Cumin has been shown to suppress colon carcinogenesis in laboratory rats and carcinogen-induced stomach and cervical tumors in mice. Cumin has been shown to reduce DNA damage and inhibit estrogen metabolism in the laboratory. However, cumin also has been shown to have estrogenic activity, promoting the growth of human breast cancer cells in the laboratory and increasing the uterus size of rats.
Additional comments
While cumin has traditionally been used with some success as a food preservative, it also has been associated with some food safety problems in some countries. High levels of mesophilic aerobic microorganisms (a general microbiological indicator of food quality) were found in most of the cumin seed evaluated in a Mexican study which tested glass-packaged, polyethylene-packaged, and unpackaged samples. A study of prepackaged spices marketed in supermarkets and ethnic shops in Lisbon, Portugal, found aflatoxin contamination in all seven cumin samples tested. A study of spices purchased from popular companies in the Sultanate of Oman found fungal contamination in the cumin samples. A Cuban study found high levels of microorganism and coliform contamination in samples of cumin. In each of the these studies, cumin was the most, or among the most, contaminated of the spices tested. Buyers of cumin from specialty markets should be aware of its source and assure themselves of its freshness and safety.
Note that while we are continually searching for new evidence specifically concerning this food, there is not much interest in it among breast cancer researchers, so few studies are available.
Tags: Indian, aflatoxin, apigenin, cervicalCancer, cumin, flavone, flavonoids, inflammation, oophorectomy, southernEurope