The healthy spices: Indian spices with the most health benefits

Indian cuisine is famous for its diversity and richness across the earth. Spices, with their aroma and flavour, are that distinguishing ingredient, which gives our food its taste and intricacy. the benefits of the spices are not limited to only enhancing the taste of our dishes. They are also extremely beneficial in improving our health. Most of the spices we use in our cooking are also the best spices for health which do wonders for our  good health and well-being.

Here are some of the best spices for health that not only add a rich taste to the food but also help us with various health benefits

• Cinnamon

Cinnamon, also known as daalchini, has a unique aroma and enhances the flavour of  food. Alongg with enhancing the taste of our dishes, cinnamon is also beneficial for its antioxidant properties. These improve digestion, immunity and blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Each ounce of cinnamon has vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium, copper, and zinc which help the body to fight heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. When consumed with lemon and honey, cinnamon tea helps to reduce stubborn belly fat and help you to become fat to fab.

• Black pepper

Black pepper,or kali mirch, with its sharp flavour, is mostly used in our food. Research has shown that an scrap of black pepper has a affirmative effect on pancreatic enzymes which help in stimulating digestion. Also, according to one Slovakian study, consuming pepper stabilises high blood pressure. So for all the blood pressure patients, this is a good call to take. It help to improve eye sight when consumed regularly.  To cure a cold and cough, the most common viral, one can add a dash of black pepper in chai and get instant relief.

• Turmeric

Turmeric, known as haldi, is effortlessly the most used spice in Indian cooking and is a chief ingredient in our dishes. Indian curries look so tempting and attractive because of the lovely golden yellow colour of turmeric in them. Since ancient times, a tsp of haldi mixed with warm milk has been consumed in case of an injury, cough & cold or to soothe tired muscles.  Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and is tremendously helpful in healing wounds fast. Turmeric paste is applied on an injury to help kill the bacteria and heal the wound quickly.

• Chilis

Fresh, dried, or powdered, chilies gives our food a kick. They may boost our metabolism and help keep blood vessels healthy.  capsaicin,is the compound that makes them spicy. Chillies is the rich source of vit- c.

• Ginger

Ginger really can help with stomach . It has a soothing effect on the lining of your intestine and can ease nausea too.Lab studies show that ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and  play important role in preventing diseases like cancer.

In such a way these are  indeed the best spice for health, and its benefits in our lives are far-reaching.

Blog by- Ms. Kanchan Sharma
Asst. Prof., Department of Science