Curcumin vs Cumin: Difference and Comparison

Considering the health benefits that Curcumin and Cumin can have, it is incorrect to confuse the two. Turmeric’s active ingredient is curcumin, while cumin is a seasoning in and of itself.

Key Takeaways

1. Curcumin is a compound found in turmeric, while cumin is a spice used in cooking.
2. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while cumin is used to enhance food flavor.
3. Curcumin has a bright yellow color, while cumin is brown in color.

Curcumin vs Cumin

The difference between Curcumin and Cumin is that Curcumin is a turmeric product, and cumin is a seed from the same-named plant. Turmeric has a yellow color from curcumin, while cumin has a brownish color. Curcumin and cumin are also thought to have cancer-fighting properties.

Curcumin, a component of the ginger family, is botanically classified as Curcumin longa, cultivated across Asia, and contains curcumin, a potentially carcinogenic constituent.

Cumin is indigenous to the eastern Mediterranean region and is used in the Middle East, Indian, African, and South American delicacies.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Curcumin	Cumin
Significance	Curcumin is a turmeric compound and isn’t found in the market.	Cumin is a seed from the same-named plant.
Color Rendered	Curcumin gives the color yellow whenever added to anything.	Cumin, on the other hand, gives brownish color wherever used.
Found in	Curcumin is basically found in turmeric. If a person is looking to complete their dose of curcumin, consuming adequate turmeric is sufficient.	As used in Indian cuisines, Garam Masala comprises cumin powder in adequate amounts.
Resemblance	As mentioned above, it is nothing but an ingredient found in turmeric.	It is a seed that resembles caraway.
Uses	Turmeric is used to give color to food, so this is the function of Curcumin too.	As used in Garam Masala, cumin is a spice that is used to give a better taste to food.

What is Curcumin?

Curcumin is also known as diferuloylmethane. It is accountable for the spice’s golden color and provides a high medicinal value. It is well-known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The photosynthetic pigment curcumin is liable for the turmeric root’s hue, which is yellowish outside and a dazzling reddish-orange on the inside.

Curcumin is unusual because it has 2 different antioxidant functions in its chemical structure, contributing to its superior disease-fighting abilities.

Curcumin has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, and carminative properties, similar to cumin. Turmeric is defined as a gastrointestinal tonic that can function by relieving intestinal spasms.

What is Cumin?

Cumin is an ingredient of both chilli powder and curry powder, and it may have health benefits.

As per a study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition in 2015, its key ingredient, cumin aldehyde oil, has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Cumin is a tiny plant that grows in warm environments and produces seeds. These seeds have a boat appearance and are lighter in color than caraway seeds.

In India, Mexico, and the Mideast, cumin seeds are widely used. Cumin is thought to have a variety of health benefits, including reducing heartburn, nausea, and diarrhoea by producing pancreatic enzymes.

Cumin has been shown to have anti-cancer effects by scientists, as it has the potential to destroy free radicals, which are thought to be responsible for cancerous cells.

Main Differences Between Curcumin and Cumin

1. As mentioned above, it is nothing but an ingredient found in turmeric. On the other hand, Cumin is a seed that resembles caraway.
2. Turmeric is used to give color to food, so this is the function of Curcumin too. Cumin, as used in Garam Masala, is a spice that is used to give a better taste to food.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579121000390
2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00204-017-1939-4