The Effect of Cardamom Supplementation on Anthropometric Measurements in Overweight and Obese Prediabetic Women

Spice consumption has been considered for treatment of diseases complications because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory contents. One of these spices that contains a great variety of antioxidant compounds is cardamom. However since the effect of this spice on anthropometric measurements has not been investigated, this study was designed to determine the effect of cardamom supplementation on anthropometric measurements in overweight and obese prediabetic women. Eighty prediabetic women were randomly allocated to 2 groups, with the intervention group receiving 3 g of green cardamom and the placebo group, 3 g of rusk powder for two months. Physical activity, dietary information and anthropometric measurement including weight, height and waist circumference were recorded before and after intervention. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing weight by height squared. Mean weight and BMI decreased significantly in the intervention group after the study (p<0.05). After adjustment of initial measurement of waist circumference, at the end of intervention, waist circumference in the intervention group was significantly lower than the placebo group (p<0.05). In the placebo group, changes in means of weight, BMI and waist circumference were not significant at the end of study. There were no significant differences between the two groups in other terms of anthropometric measurements. Cardamom supplementation may reduce the waist circumference and abdominal obesity in prediabetic groups.