Our Indian palate can withstand any level of heat with our cuisine. We’ve grown up eating spicy food, and it’s rarely too much for us. We risk burning our tongues, having acidity, sobbing over skin outbreaks, and, Health Benefits of Indian Cuisine worst of all, having loose motions. But does that ever deter us from reaching for that dish of spicy food? No, even if our loved ones raise their eyebrows, we’ll continue. So, let’s explore the reasons why Indian cuisine is inarguably one of the best and what makes spicy food irresistible.
The Spicy Secret of Indian Cuisine
Health Benefits of Indian Cuisine
The variety in Indian spice-rich foods reflects the essence of our nation. They bear the age-old cultural legacy of India, and when it comes to our traditional foods, we can conceive of no other spice combination but our Indian cuisine spices. All of India’s traditional food items are cooked with various spices like Organic spices, hot spices, mixed spices, spicy spices, and so on. Garam masala, chili powder and turmeric powder are some of the most used culinary spices in Indian cuisine. There are various health benefits of spices, too, apart from giving our food its unique flavor.
Boosting Metabolism with Spices
Spices are not only useful for enhancing the flavor of foods, but they additionally provide an array of health benefits. Spices have numerous health benefits, ranging from strengthening immunity to decreasing blood sugar and even improving memory.
When combined with an exercise plan and a healthy diet, these small nutritional powerhouses can even aid with weight loss! After all, healthy foods that taste good are more likely to be consumed. So, go ahead and spice things up with these top four metabolism-boosting spices:
- Cayenne- this spicy red pepper, commonly known as “laal mirch“, not only heats your tongue but has also been proven to heat your body, which may help you burn a few extra calories over the day. Just don’t rely on it too much to achieve your next weight loss goal, as it only works in the short term.
- Ginger- This fiery spice has been proven to boost metabolism and aid in weight loss. Try it both fresh and ground.
- Thermogenic spices like Cinnamon have an element called cinnamaldehyde, which is recognised for its ability to lower blood sugar levels and is also involved in activating metabolic and thermogenic responses in humans.
- Turmeric, one of the top spices for weight loss, has curcumin, which has potent anti-inflammatory properties and is proven to reduce body fat.
Heart-Healthy Spices in Indian Cooking
There are plenty of spices that, when consumed daily, can help in the maintenance of a healthy heart. They are low-cost sources of antioxidants and other possibly beneficial chemicals. Various heart-healthy Indian spices have been reported as having medical properties and spice benefits for the heart, such as anti-thrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic capabilities, and so on. Here are four common spices to help keep your heart healthy
- High cholesterol is a common cause of cardiovascular disease that can be treated by adding garlic to your diet. Allicin is a potent antioxidant that not only lowers cholesterol and blood pressure but also inhibits platelet aggregation, providing comprehensive protection against heart disease.
- Turmeric, which is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances, can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by lowering blood cholesterol levels. It also reduces the aggregation of platelets and the risk of diabetes, which can lead to heart disease in the future.
- Ginger is one of the best anti-inflammatory spices for cardiovascular health, containing phenolic chemicals that benefit the heart. Ginger not only lowers total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the blood, but it also protects and treats cardiovascular disease.
- The cardioprotective impact of black pepper is due to the presence of piperine. It not only protects against oxidative damage, but it is also hypolipidemic. Furthermore, because it is high in vanadium, it enhances heart function, assisting in the recovery from a myocardial infarction.
Digestive Benefits of Spicy Indian Food
Drinking tea with spices like ginger can help ease digestive problems. But, as it turns out, that’s not the only one. You can also incorporate digestive spices directly into your meals! Here are three spices that doctors and dietitians recommend adding to your Indian cuisine for digestion.
- Ginger contains phenolic chemicals that are believed to ease digestive system irritation and are frequently used to treat nausea, gas, and bloating. Try it in baked dishes, stir-fries, or salad dressings.
- Asafoetida can be used in place of garlic and onions for those who are sensitive to high FODMAP foods because it taste like them.
- Mint is one of the top herbs for digestion because it reduces spasms in the intestines. A scientific study linked peppermint oil to lowering stomach distress and nausea, but it can also cause reflux.
Pain Relief and Anti-Inflammatory Spices
Inflammation is a frequent physiological reaction that occurs when something is wrong in the body. It is essentially the body’s defence mechanism that occurs when the body detects damaging stimuli, with inflammation indicating that the body is attempting to heal itself. If you have this problem, incorporate the following spices for pain relief into your diet regularly:
- Turmeric is not only an effective anti-inflammatory spice, but some studies have linked it to increased brain function, a lower risk of heart disease, and even the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Ginger is well-known for its digestive benefits, but it’s also a versatile spice that can give great zing to any recipe.
- Cinnamon is a prominent spice in the enigmatic pumpkin spice group. It has been shown to provide various health benefits, including decreasing blood sugar levels, combating inflammation, and lowering cholesterol.
- Black pepper, in particular, has been demonstrated to have a substantial anti-inflammatory impact. It has antibacterial and antioxidant effects as well. Of course, you can sprinkle black pepper on almost anything.
Mental Wellness and Spicy Indian Dishes
Including spices in your cooking will not only elevate even the most boring of meals but will also improve your Indian cuisine and mental wellness in significant ways, including your mood.
We’ve compiled a list of the top mood-boosting spices that you can use in everyday life to improve your mental health, feel happy, and improve your memory.
- Ginger functions as both a mood and energy booster. It boosts your circulation and metabolism and contains ‘gingerol,’ a powerful antioxidant. Gingerol assists the body in detoxifying and, in particular, in ridding the body of the excess stress hormone cortisol. Your mood will naturally improve when excess cortisol is drained from the body.
- Curcumin in turmeric protects the body, particularly the mind, from free radical damage. Curcumin’s high antioxidant levels, combined with its anti-inflammatory properties, make turmeric a mood-boosting powerhouse.
- Garlic contains vitamin B6, which has been linked to the treatment of sleeplessness, weariness, and mood elevation. Furthermore, B6 has been demonstrated to aid patients suffering from anxiety disorders and panic attacks in reducing their anxiety.
Closing Thoughts
Indian spices not only contribute to the flavor of Indian cuisine, but they also provide a variety of health benefits that have been acknowledged for decades. Incorporating these spices into your diet will help improve your mental health and well-being and lower your risk of developing chronic diseases. So, the next time you eat tasty Indian food, keep in mind that the spices enhance the flavor and provide the much-needed “desi turka” that’s missing in your life!