ASAFOETIDA ( HING ) – ON DEMAND

Good source of antioxidants

Asafoetida has been found to be a good source of antioxidants (1Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source, 6).

These compounds help protect your cells against potential damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. As a result, antioxidants may also help protect against chronic inflammation, heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).

Specifically, asafoetida has been shown to contain high amounts of phenolic compounds, such as tannins and flavonoids, which are known for their potent antioxidant effects (6, 9Trusted Source).

While test-tube and animal studies have found asafoetida to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, more research needs to be done on its potential antioxidant effects in humans (5Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source).

Additionally, as asafoetida is used in such small amounts in cooking, it’s unclear whether culinary use of the spice provides these benefits.

May be good for digestion

One of the most common uses of asafoetida is as an indigestion aid (1Trusted Source).

In one 30-day study including 43 adults with moderate to severe indigestion, those taking 250-mg capsules containing asafoetida twice a day reported significant improvements in bloating, digestion, and overall quality of life, compared with a placebo group (11Trusted Source).

This study was funded by the company that produced the supplement, so that may have influenced the results.

Asafoetida has also been shown to help boost digestion by increasing the activity of digestive enzymes. Specifically, it may increase the release of bile from your liver, which is needed for digesting fat (1Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source).

While the spice is also frequently used to prevent or reduce gas after eating, no research currently supports this effect.

May help reduce symptoms of IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic digestive condition that’s characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, and gas, as well as constipation, diarrhea, or both (13Trusted Source).

Due to its potential effects on digestion, asafoetida is thought to help reduce symptoms associated with IBS.

Two small studies in adults with IBS found a significant improvement in reported IBS symptoms after 2 weeks of taking asafoetida supplements. Yet, another study found that this supplement had no effect on IBS symptoms (14Trusted Source).

Overall, the available research is quite limited.

However, one less direct way that asafoetida may benefit people with IBS is as a substitute for onion and garlic in cooking, as it offers a similar flavor.

Onion and garlic contain high amounts of fructans, which are indigestible, fermentable carbs that may cause digestive distress in some individuals with IBS (15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).

Other possible benefits

While studies on asafoetida are limited, early research suggests that it may have additional benefits, including:

• Antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial effects. Test-tube studies have found that asafoetida may protect against pathogens, such as various strains of Streptococcus bacteria (1Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).
• May help lower blood pressure. Asafoetida may help lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. However, research is limited to animals (1Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source).
• Potential anticancer effects. Animal and test-tube studies suggest that asafoetida may help stop the growth and spread of certain cancer cells, including breast and liver cancer (1Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source).
• May protect brain health. Several animal studies have indicated that asafoetida may help safeguard against memory loss and nerve damage in the brain (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source).
• May ease asthma symptoms. Animal studies have shown asafoetida to have a relaxing effect on airway smooth muscles, which is important for the treatment of asthma (25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source, 27).
• May lower blood sugar levels. One study in rats found that 22.7 mg of asafoetida extract per pound (50 mg per kg) of body weight helped reduce fasting blood sugar levels (1Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source).