Photo by NEOSiAM 2021
Indian cuisines are known worldwide for their flavours, colours and creative use of ingredients. These dishes vary depending on the region, but foods from different Indian regions have some commonalities. Many of them use similar ingredients, including plant-based and fermented ingredients. With the use of these ingredients, it is not surprising that Indian cuisine is very healthy for you. Perhaps you could start using some of the ingredients found in Indian cuisines in your own dishes.
Turmeric
This golden-yellow spice has been used in Indian cuisine for more than a century in food and for its health benefits. It contains a chemical called curcumin, which has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. You can use turmeric in most Indian dishes as well as in vegetables and meats in your own recipes. You can also use it with other spices like black pepper and paprika.
Ginger
Ginger contains gingerol, which has the same antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties as turmeric. Some research also shows that it can be useful in soothing stomach discomfort and nausea. Lastly, we have anecdotal evidence that using ginger in aromatherapy sessions can reduce different types of pain, including knee, back and menstrual pain.
Dried or fresh ginger is used in many dishes to add flavour, not just in Indian dishes. That said, it is a versatile ingredient that you are likely to find on the menu of a Bristol curry house due to the large number of dishes it is used in. For your recipes, you can use ginger in vegetable dishes or tea, where you can use it fresh or in powdered form.
Cinnamon
This spice comes from the bark of a tree and is so aromatic that anyone who has come across it in the past cannot confuse it with anything else. It has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Cinnamon can also regulate blood glucose levels, help with insulin insensitivity, and help keep glucose levels low when fasting.
Cinnamon is primarily used in baking in Western countries, but it is also used in sweet and savoury dishes in India. Powdered cinnamon made from pounding cinnamon sticks is a key ingredient in garam masala used in numerous Indian dishes. Some people also add cinnamon sticks to their tea for flavouring and their health benefits.
Cumin
Although the results are not entirely conclusive, research shows that cumin can aid in weight loss. Additionally, cumin is also an excellent source of iron which is required for health and well-being. You can buy cumin in its powdered form or as seeds. It is best used with other spices in chilli, beans and vegetable meals.
Kidney Beans
Kidney beans are popular worldwide, and many people who eat them do not know that they also have excellent health benefits. They can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, obesity, cancer and diabetes. In Indian cuisine, they are boiled and then cooked with onions and tomatoes in a spicy sauce.
Indian cuisine uses many healthy ingredients that you can incorporate into your own recipes. These ingredients have significant health benefits that we cannot ignore, including reducing the risk of some of the most serious conditions.
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