Enjoy Flavor and Health as Well with Spicy Foods

Can you imagine a delicious Indian recipe without the addition of spices? Definitely not. As commonly known, spices are usually used in foods as additives to give flavor, make the dish tasty and to add color to the dishes. Also, there is a common unnecessary belief that spicy foods promote ill-health. However, an interesting thing you have to know is that some spices are good for your health.

Spices are considered to keep your body off from chronic diseases and also relieve various existing illnesses. These common dietary ingredients include seeds, fruit, bark, root, or leaves of distinct plants. The phyto-nutrients, essential oils, antioxidants (chemical compounds which protect against cell damage), minerals, and vitamins, that are essential for our health, are present in spices. Here are some of the health benefits of various commonly used spices.

Asafoetida (Heeng)

• Remedies respiratory disorders like whooping cough, asthma, and bronchitis
• Treats impotency
• Treats various problems such as sterility, pre-mature labor, unusually painful and excessive
• menstruation in women
• Brings relief from toothache

Basil (Tulsi)

• Has anti-bacterial properties
• Improves cardiovascular health
• Inhibits tumors

Black pepper (Kali Mirch)

• Prevents bacterial growth in intestinal tract
• Improves digestion
• Reduces intestinal gas

Cardamom (Elaichi)

• Improves digestion
• Generates appetite
• Reduces bad breath
• Aids in treating symptoms like nausea

Cinnamon (Dalchini)

• Lowers LDL cholesterol and hence, is good for heart
• Regulates blood sugar levels and ensures diabetes is under control
• Has anti-microbial activity

Cloves (Laung)

• Has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties
• Acts as a natural anesthetic healing toothaches
• Includes a compound ‘eugenol’ which prevents blood clots
• Treats symptoms like acne

Coriander seeds (Dhania)

• Control blood sugar and cholesterol
• Help in digestion

Cumin seeds (Jeera)

• Prevent cancer
• Benefit for digestive system

Fenugreek (Methi)

• Controls blood sugar levels
• Lowers levels of cholesterol
• Treats menopausal symptoms and digestive problems
• Reduces inflammation of skin

Garlic

• Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Prevents certain types of cancer like stomach and colon cancers

Ginger

• Relieves pain – treats migraine headache, toothache, stomachache
• Reduces symptoms of dizziness, nausea, diarrhea

Mustard seeds (Rai/Sarson)

• Relive arthritic pain
• Stimulate hair growth
• Lower blood pressure

Saffron (Kesar)

• Improves appetite and digestion
• Lowers blood cholesterol and triglycerides among heart patients
• Enhances and lightens skin tone

Turmeric (Haldi)

• Aids digestion and liver function
• Relieves arthritis pain
• Treats eczema and heals wound
• Regulates menstruation
• Prevents and treats cancer

The above is a list of only some of the benefits of different types of spices. Now that you have known the health benefits of spices, add pinch of spices (moderate amounts – not excessive) to your food to enjoy flavor as well as health.