13 Proven Benefits of Grains of Paradise on Health

Grains of paradise, also know as Aligator pepper, is a seed/ fruit that grows naturally in west Africa. It is commonly used as a spice. But it's also utilized as a traditional medicine in some African countries such as Nigeria.

Recently, modern medicine shows more interest in this exotic spice because of its promising potential. So, if you want to know more about grains of paradise, what is used for, and what are its benefits on health, You're in the right place.

Table of contents: Grains of Paradise

1. What is it? |
2. Benefits on Health |
3. Side effects and dosage |
4. Preparation |
5. Cultivation |
6. Bottom line |

What are grains of paradise?

Grains of paradise is a seed that grows on a plant called Aframomum melegueta. Aframomun Melegueta is a plant native to West Africa that grows naturally in the swampy region. However, as soon as people figure out the culinary and medicinal potential of its seeds - grains of paradise- they started cultivating it.

Grains of paradise is one of the few spices native to this continent.

Botanically speaking, Aframomun Melegueta and grains of paradise are from the ginger family. Visually, grains of paradise has the same shape and size as peppercorns but with a brownish color.

Grains of paradise has a rich aroma, its complexity is what it makes it so unique. It has a warm herby, woody, and peppery taste.

You can use it as a substitute for black pepper to discover new flavors in your favorites recipes.

Grains of paradise Health benefits

Grains of paradise are used as traditional medicine in Africa to treat different health issues. Which prompted modern medicine to take an interest in it.
Grains of paradise may have the following health benefits:

1. Anti-inflammatory and pain reduction
2. Weight loss aid
3. Reduce obesity
4. Help with diabetes
5. Strengthen bones
6. Antioxidants effect
7. Prevention against cancer
8. Support hormonal balance during breastfeeding
9. Increases energy
10. Help with erectile dysfunction
11. Reduce Cholesterol
12. Lower arterial pressure
13. Anti-bacterial and wounds treatment

The source of these benefits is the active Biocoumpounds present in grains of paradise extract:

• 6-Gingerol
• 6-Paradol
• 6-Gingerdione
• 6-Shogaol

These compounds can also be found in different ginger varieties.

In the following sections, we'll go over each benefit of this seed, to get a better understanding of how grains of paradise can improve your health.

Grains of paradise anti-inflammatory

COX-2 is one of the enzymes in the body that are responsible for the sensation of pain. Grains of paradise can act like a natural COX-2 inhibitors, which means it blocks the COX-2 from doing its role in the body.

According to research funded by the US National Institutes of Health, The ethanolic extract existing in the grains of paradise is an anti-inflammatory.

It reduces pain by limiting the COX-2 activity in the body.
it means grains of paradise extract may help you the reduce pain if you're suffering from:

• joint pain
• Menstrual cramps
• Rheumatism

Reference:
Anti-inflammatory action of grains of paradise extract

Grains of paradise Weight loss

There is scientific evidence that grains of paradise extract trigger thermogenesis in fat cells of the body.
Thermogenesis is a process that happens in the body when stored fat in the body is consumed to produce energy.

This means that grains of paradise may actively act as a natural fat burner.

For this reason, recently, Many weight loss supplements producers in the world strat integrating this compound in their products.

Trimtone is an example of this. This 100% all-natural supplement besides containing grains of paradise also includes other active ingredients such as green coffee beans extract and glucomannan, which may help for weight loss and weight maintenance.
If you want to know more about it, I invite you to take a look at our Trimtone review.

Reference:
Extract of grains of paradise triggers thermogenesis

Grains of paradises and obesity

A person is considered obese if his BMI (body mass index) is higher than 30.
During lab tests, searchers find that the methanol extracted from grains of paradise is very efficient in decreasing weight, especially among the subjects that have a body fat percentage(BMI>30).

This test also this test highlighted the fact that grains of paradise also blocked the accumulation of fat in the body and boosted the metabolism of test subjects.

Reference:
Grains of paradise effect on obesity 

Grains of paradise help to treat and prevent type 2 diabetes

Grains of paradise contains bioactive compounds that block enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes type 2 patients develop a high resistance to insulin, which leads to pancreatic failure in the advanced stages of this disease.

Bioactive grains of paradise compounds inhibit the enzymes in the body responsible for insulin resistance ( α-amylase and α-glucosidase)
Clinical trials suggest that the 2 bio compound that has these properties in grains of paradise are 6-gingerol and oleanolic acid.

Reference
Grains of paradise extract effect on type 2 diabetes

Grains of paradise Strengthen bones

Paradol, which is a compound extracted from grains of paradise, enhances both vitamin D and alkaline phosphatase action in the bones, which make your bone stronger.

Recent studies showed that paradol has anti-osteoporosis properties.
Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the bones. It weakens them and makes the person vulnerable to fractures and other issues.

Reference
Aframomum melegueta Bones fortification

Antioxidants effect of Grains of paradise

Grains of paradise has a high antioxidant potential.

Also called free radical scavengers, antioxidants protect the body from free radicals that are released by the body due to oxidative stress.

oxidative stress can lead to serval health issues, such as:

• Chronic pain
• Neuronal diseases
• diabetes
• cardiovascular problems

And the list still long. For this reason, most nutritionists recommend having an antioxidant-rich diet.

References
Antioxidant Potentials of grains of paradise 

Effect of grains of paradise on cancer

Studies support that the grains of paradise may have a preventive effect on cancer. And it some cases, it has been even used as a treatment.

According to those studies, grains of paradise can be efficient in preventing the following cancers:

• pancreatic cancer (prevention and treatment)
• colon cancer (prevention)
• breast cancer (prevention

Reference
Grains of paradise effect on cancer

Grains of paradise impact on breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a complex body process. In some cases, due to emotional or physical stress, the hormonal equilibrium involved in this process might be unbalanced. Which might lead to excessive milk production.

Grains of paradise help regulating progesterone, estrogen, and Prolactin, which are hormones involved in milk production in the mammary glands.

Reference:
Effect of grains of paradise on lactogenic hormones

Grains of paradise increases energy

Last but not least, grains of paradise are known for being capable of increasing and stimulating the energy level of a person.
This occurred as a result of the thermogenesis triggered by the consumption of grains of paradise extract. Which helps in releasing energy Brown adipose tissue.

Reference:
Grains of paradise increases whole-body energy

Grains of paradise Help with erectile dysfunction

Traditionally in Africa, grains of paradise (Aligator peppers) are used as an aphrodisiac that boosts libido.

According to a research, a daily intake of this spice increase the sexual desire.

Another study revealed that the compounds found in grains of paradise act as an inhibitor for enzymes (AChE, ACE, PDE-5) linked to erectile dysfunction.

Recurrent erectile problems can be a sign of more serious health or mental issues. So talk to your doctor about it.

References
Effect of grains of paradise on the sexual behavior
Impact of alligator pepper (grains of paradise) on the enzymes related to erectile dysfunction.

Grains of paradise may reduce Cholesterol

Thanks to the result of a lab test conducted on animals suffering from high cholesterol, researchers found that a daily intake of grains of paradise extract helped to reduce cholesterol levels.

However, more trials are needed to confirm this property.

Reference:
Effect of alligator pepper on cholesterol

Grains of Paradise Lower arterial pressure

In Africa, grains of paradise are used to treat Hypertension, the results according to different reports say that a daily intake of grains of paradise consequently reduces blood pressure.

Grains of Paradise for Anti-bacterial and wounds treatment

Researchers tested the effect of the ethanolic extract of grains of paradise on the most widespread bacterias and germs:

• Salmonella spp
• Escherichia coli
• Klebsiella spp
• Shigella spp

The results were a noticeable activity reduction of these pathogens.

Reference:
Antobacteriologic property of grains of paradise-PDF

Grains of Paradise: Side effects, dosage, and drugs interaction

To study the toxicity of grains of paradise, researchers in a study gave different doses of grains of paradise extract to 4 groups of rats

1. Group 1: 0 mg (placebo)
2. Group 2: 120 mg for each kg of body weight
3. Group 3: 450 mg for each kg of body weight
4. Group 4: 1500 mg for each kg of body weight

After one month of treatment, the results were the following:

1. Group 1: No changes
2. Group 2: No apparent side effect, a slite reduction of blood pressure and blood sugar
3. Group 3: No side effect was observed, reduction of blood pressure and blood sugar
4. Group 4: some tested animal suffered from liver toxicity, reduction of blood pressure and blood sugar

Projection of these results on humans suggests that for a man with an average weight of 80kg, he would need his daily GPE intake to exceed 120,000 mg for side effects to be observed. Which isn't realistic.

However, further clinical trials need to be conducted to ensure that.

Reference
Toxicological evaluation of Grains of Paradise

Grains of paradise drugs interaction

There is not enough data on drug interaction between grains of paradise and other substances.

However, there are some similarities in the composition of grains of paradise and grapefruit.

You may ask your doctor to know if it's risk-free for you.

How to prepare grains of paradise

The preparation is rather simple, just put those grains in a blender after washing them.
If you don't have a blender you can try to crush them with something heavy. 

The following video show how you can do that under one minute!

Grains of paradise cultivation

You can grow grains of paradise in your garden if you want to.

The most important think about this plant is that it needs a warm habitat.

If the climate in your region is too cold, it won't work.
However, you might cultivate it in a pot indoors.

All you need is a warm habit, some Aligator pepper seeds, and soil.

For more details, you can take a look at this: Grow Aframomum Melegueta.

Bottom Line

These little grains of paradise are really a miracle of nature. Besides being one of the most flavorful spices available, it has many benefits on health.

There is no known case of intoxication due to the consumption of these seeds, or side effects reported.

However, if you want to take it to help you with a specific health issue, talk about it with your physician.

Thank you for your time, please don't forget to share this post with your friends, it really helps us.