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Paprika vs. Cumin — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

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Article author photo Elen Khachatrian by Elen Khachatrian | Last updated on June 02, 2022
Education: Nutrition & Microbiology at YSU
Paprika
vs
Cumin

Summary

Paprika provides more Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, fiber, Vitamin B2, Vitamin K, and potassium. It is also lower in sodium.

On the other hand, cumin contains more iron, manganese, calcium, and magnesium. Cumin is also lower in sugars and saturated fat than paprika.

Introduction

This article will discuss the main differences in the nutrition of paprika and cumin, focusing on their health impact.

What's The Actual Difference?

Cumin and paprika have different colors and tastes. Firstly, paprika is a dried form of peppers, particularly bell peppers. Besides, the spice flavor can range from mild and sweet to extremely hot. Paprika spice has a mild and sweet flavor. Cumin spice is the dried seeds of the Cuminum herb. Cumin has an earthy, spicy, and slightly bitter flavor. Cumin is brown.

Nutrition

You can find nutritional infographics at the bottom of this page that visually show the differences between cumin and paprika spices.

Calories

Cumin has 375 calories per 100g, whereas paprika contains 282 calories per 100g. Both are considered low-calorie food; however, usually, spices are consumed in tiny amounts, so calories don't matter much.

Fats

Cumin has 22.27g of fats per 100g, whereas paprika provides 12.89g of fat.

Carbs

Cumin spice contains 44.24g of carbs per 100g, of which 10.5g is fiber, and the rest are net carbs.

Paprika contains only 53.99g of net carbs, of which 34.9g is fiber and 19.09g are net carbs. Paprika falls in the range of the top 7% of foods as a source of fiber.

Cholesterol

Both paprika and cumin have no cholesterol.

Minerals

Cumin has three times more calcium, two times more iron, and more magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper.

Cumin fall in the range of the top 2% of foods as a source of iron.

However, paprika provides less sodium and more potassium than cumin.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
:
7
Cumin
Contains more Potassium +27.5%
Contains less Sodium -59.5%
Contains more Selenium +21.2%
Contains more Calcium +306.6%
Contains more Iron +213.9%
Contains more Magnesium +105.6%
Contains more Phosphorus +58.9%
Contains more Zinc +10.9%
Contains more Copper +21.6%
Contains more Manganese +109.6%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 69% 793% 128% 135% 202% 9% 119% 238% 208% 35%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 280% 2489% 262% 214% 158% 22% 131% 289% 435% 29%
Contains more Potassium +27.5%
Contains less Sodium -59.5%
Contains more Selenium +21.2%
Contains more Calcium +306.6%
Contains more Iron +213.9%
Contains more Magnesium +105.6%
Contains more Phosphorus +58.9%
Contains more Zinc +10.9%
Contains more Copper +21.6%
Contains more Manganese +109.6%

Vitamins

Paprika contains a significantly higher amount of Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, folate, Vitamin B2, Vitamin K, and Vitamin B6.

The amount of Vitamin A is 37 times higher in paprika.

Cumin has more Vitamin C and Vitamin B1. Cumin falls in the top 14% of foods as a source of Vitamin B.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
:
2
Cumin
Contains more Vitamin A +3778.3%
Contains more Vitamin E +773.9%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +276.1%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +119.7%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +392.2%
Contains more Folate +390%
Contains more Vitamin K +1387%
Contains more Vitamin C +755.6%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +90.3%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 2956% 583% 0% 3% 83% 284% 189% 151% 495% 37% 0% 201%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 77% 67% 0% 26% 157% 76% 86% 0% 101% 8% 0% 14%
Contains more Vitamin A +3778.3%
Contains more Vitamin E +773.9%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +276.1%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +119.7%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +392.2%
Contains more Folate +390%
Contains more Vitamin K +1387%
Contains more Vitamin C +755.6%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +90.3%

Glycemic Index

The estimated glycemic indexes of cumin and paprika are 0. Both are considered low GI foods.

Health Benefits

Diabetes

Several studies have found that cumin can aid in the reduction of blood glucose levels. In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, cumin supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in blood glucose and increased total hemoglobin and glycosylated hemoglobin [1].

Paprika contains capsaicin, a chemical compound first isolated from chili peppers. Capsaicin is used to treat psoriasis and diabetic neuropathy as a topical treatment [2].

Cardiovascular Health

Studies show that estrogens in the body may aid in lipid metabolism, protecting the heart from coronary heart disease. During menopause, estrogen levels drop significantly, making a woman more susceptible to heart disease. Cumin extract has hypolipidemic properties, which can help treat certain menopausal disorders [3].

Research indicates that capsaicin has antioxidant properties that can help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease and improve immunity [2].

Anti-inflammatory Effects

Curcumin is a bioactive compound found in cumin. Curcumin is a potent antioxidant that also has anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin has been shown in studies to inhibit free radical activity while increasing the activity of other antioxidants [4].

Downsides and Risks

Allergy

A compound known as profilin in cumin can cause an allergic reaction. Cumin allergy can also aggravate pollen allergies. Symptoms usually include itching and tingling in the mouth.

Paprika allergy symptoms are typically mild, but severe paprika allergies can result in anaphylaxis, so it is critical to be tested if you have a history of food allergies [5].

References

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12220968/
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29083760/
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18831331/
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618098/
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30883393/
Article author photo Elen Khachatrian
Education: Nutrition & Microbiology at YSU
Last updated: June 02, 2022

Infographic

Paprika vs Cumin infographic
Infographic link

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
:
2
Cumin
Contains more Carbs +22%
Contains more Water +39.5%
Contains more Protein +26%
Contains more Fats +72.8%
Equal in Other - 7.62
14% 13% 54% 11% 8%
Protein: 14.14 g
Fats: 12.89 g
Carbs: 53.99 g
Water: 11.24 g
Other: 7.74 g
18% 22% 44% 8% 8%
Protein: 17.81 g
Fats: 22.27 g
Carbs: 44.24 g
Water: 8.06 g
Other: 7.62 g
Contains more Carbs +22%
Contains more Water +39.5%
Contains more Protein +26%
Contains more Fats +72.8%
Equal in Other - 7.62

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
:
2
Cumin
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +136.8%
Contains less Saturated Fat -28.3%
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +728.3%
18% 15% 67%
Saturated Fat: 2.14 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 1.695 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 7.766 g
8% 74% 17%
Saturated Fat: 1.535 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 14.04 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 3.279 g
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +136.8%
Contains less Saturated Fat -28.3%
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +728.3%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Paprika Cumin
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in price ok
Rich in vitamins ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Rich in minerals ok
Lower in Cholesterol Equal
Lower in Glycemic Index Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Paprika Cumin Opinion
Net carbs 19.09g 33.74g Cumin
Protein 14.14g 17.81g Cumin
Fats 12.89g 22.27g Cumin
Carbs 53.99g 44.24g Paprika
Calories 282kcal 375kcal Cumin
Fructose 6.71g Paprika
Sugar 10.34g 2.25g Cumin
Fiber 34.9g 10.5g Paprika
Calcium 229mg 931mg Cumin
Iron 21.14mg 66.36mg Cumin
Magnesium 178mg 366mg Cumin
Phosphorus 314mg 499mg Cumin
Potassium 2280mg 1788mg Paprika
Sodium 68mg 168mg Paprika
Zinc 4.33mg 4.8mg Cumin
Copper 0.713mg 0.867mg Cumin
Manganese 1.59mg 3.333mg Cumin
Selenium 6.3µg 5.2µg Paprika
Vitamin A 49254IU 1270IU Paprika
Vitamin A RAE 2463µg 64µg Paprika
Vitamin E 29.1mg 3.33mg Paprika
Vitamin C 0.9mg 7.7mg Cumin
Vitamin B1 0.33mg 0.628mg Cumin
Vitamin B2 1.23mg 0.327mg Paprika
Vitamin B3 10.06mg 4.579mg Paprika
Vitamin B5 2.51mg Paprika
Vitamin B6 2.141mg 0.435mg Paprika
Folate 49µg 10µg Paprika
Vitamin K 80.3µg 5.4µg Paprika
Tryptophan 0.07mg Paprika
Threonine 0.49mg Paprika
Isoleucine 0.57mg Paprika
Leucine 0.92mg Paprika
Lysine 0.69mg Paprika
Methionine 0.2mg Paprika
Phenylalanine 0.61mg Paprika
Valine 0.75mg Paprika
Histidine 0.25mg Paprika
Saturated Fat 2.14g 1.535g Cumin
Monounsaturated Fat 1.695g 14.04g Cumin
Polyunsaturated fat 7.766g 3.279g Paprika
Omega-3 - ALA 0.453g Paprika

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Paprika Cumin
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Calories diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet Equal

People also compare

Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
415%
Paprika
51%
Cumin
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
193%
Paprika
431%
Cumin

Comparison summary

Which food contains less Sodium?
Paprika
Paprika contains less Sodium (difference - 100mg)
Which food is cheaper?
Paprika
Paprika is cheaper (difference - $1.4)
Which food is richer in vitamins?
Paprika
Paprika is relatively richer in vitamins
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Cumin
Cumin is lower in Sugar (difference - 8.09g)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Cumin
Cumin is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.605g)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Cumin
Cumin is relatively richer in minerals
Which food contains less Cholesterol?
?
The foods are relatively equal in Cholesterol (0 mg)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
?
The foods have equal glycemic indexes (0)

References

The source of all the nutrient values on the page (excluding the main article the sources for which are presented separately if present) is the USDA's FoodCentral. The exact links to the foods presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Paprika - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171329/nutrients
  2. Cumin - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170923/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000 calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.