Imagine a life without spice, without the burns, the heat, the fragrance- sounds pretty boring right? Well, today we talk about ingredients that make our food exciting, add complex flavors to it & make our palette dance all while making our food healthier & flavourful. While the world is focusing on the health benefits of fresh fruits & vegetables, today we try to shift your focus towards the health benefits of spices- health benefits of Indian spices to be precise.
Spices have always been an essential part of the indian diet because of the health benefits of Indian spices. The sheer variety of spices is directly proportional to the benefits of spices that nourish our body with a wide range of nutrients, powerful antioxidants & plant compounds. A common Indian spice chart includes spices like Turmeric, Cumin, Green Cardamom, Black Cardamom, Cloves, Nutmace, White Pepper, Black Pepper, Dried Ginger, etc.
Each & every Indian spice has a devoted role in the diet & a characteristic health benefit associated with it. For example, regular consumption of turmeric is said to boost your immune system, boost the pineal gland(the most important part of the body) secretion & get rid of internal infections. But in order to reap the health benefits of indian spices, one has to carefully implement them in the daily diet. Special care has to be taken to extract the delicate flavor & powerful compounds that contribute to the health benefits of indian spices.
Here’s a list of spices & their health benefits:
- Turmeric
What are the health benefits of turmeric?
Turmeric has been an integral part of indian cuisine for thousands of years. This spice is associated with boosting the secretions within the pineal gland, also known as “The Soul Of The Body”. Moreover, the antibacterial properties of turmeric help in boosting immunity by getting rid of infections. Other health benefits include a healthier nervous system, a healthy heart, reduced inflammation within the body & increased antioxidant capacity. Add a tbsp of turmeric to a cup of milk & have it every day to reap the benefits of this spice. In case you are lactose intolerant you can replace the milk with warm water & a juice of a half lemon.
Cloves
What are the health benefits of eating raw cloves?
Cloves contain fiber, vitamins, minerals & antioxidants, all of which are essential for carrying out daily bodily functions. Cloves contain a wide range of antioxidants that help in getting rid of free radicals within the body & reducing oxidative stress. Research has shown that clove extract helped in eliminating the growth of tumors & promoted cell death in cancer cells. Eugenol, a potent plant compound found within cloves is a powerful antioxidant & has shown to have anticancer properties as well. Special attention needs to be paid to the fact that high amounts of eugenol is hazardous to health.
Black Pepper
Is Black Pepper Good for your health?
Black pepper is one of the most commonly found spices around the world. The sharp spicy flavor goes well with a wide variety of dishes. Black Pepper contains a compound known as “Piperine” which is known to have potent antioxidant properties. Regular consumption of Black Pepper reduces internal inflammation & also relieves asthma. The powerful plant compounds within black pepper are known to improve brain functions. Other health benefits of consuming black pepper include improved blood sugar control, lower cholesterol levels, cancer-fighting ability & healthy gut.
Nutmace
With a flavor that goes well with sweet as well as savory dishes, Nutmace is a popular spice all across the world. Nutmace is a rich source of antioxidants, it's excellent for dental health. Research has also shown that it improves mood & helps you sleep.One teaspoon of Nutmace has roughly 12 calories, 1 gram of fat, 1 gram of Carbs & 1 Gram of sugar.
Cardamom
What is the benefit of Cardamom?
A spice that originated from India & spread all over the world, cardamom is a staple ingredient found across all households. This fragrant ingredient is a rich source of powerful antioxidants, contains cancer-fighting compounds & reduces inflammation within the body.
White Pepper
What is White Pepper good for?
Add flavor & health to your diet! White pepper contains a compound called piperine which reduces pain, improves breathing, reduces inflammation & improves brain function.
Dried Ginger
What is Dried Ginger good for?
This versatile & healthy ingredient has a tonne of health benefits like aiding in weight loss, controls cholesterol & has a long list of medicinal properties. Including dried ginger in your daily diet revitalizes your body & strengthens your immune system.