Spice it up

Spices play a crucial role in our diet. Along with bringing flavor to our food, they also bring loads of health. However, food blended with the perfect amount of spices is better than the overspiced food as it may irritate our stomach mucosa. All the spices are loaded with antioxidants. There are few combinations of spices helps in healing and antiaging. For example Curcumin is a yellow compound found in turmeric, gets easly assimilated in body if consumed with black paper and fats. If cinnamon used in a green tea and consumed 2-3 timece per day, can facilitate weight loss and controls sugar levels. If nutmeg and cardamom consumed with jaggery and milk on regular basis, helps in curing insomnia.

In markets variety of spices available in the form of whole spices and grounded powder. Its better to use whole spices to avoid adulteration and retaining of the flavours. Each spice has its unique flavour and health benefits. Spices can be the most natural, flavourful, and easily available food substances to heal our body and boost the immunity.

Following is the list of spices with its benefits.

Spice	Benefits
Turmeric	Anti-inflammatory, improves brain function, ant-bacterial
Black Paper	Lower cholesterol levels, anti-inflammatory
Cloves	Anti-bacterial, reduces pain, improves liver health
Cinnamon	Lowers blood sugar, reduces risk of heart diseases
Asafoetida	Fight against intestinal worms, antispasmodic, cures irritable bowel diseases
Cardamom	Prevent dental cavities and bad breath, diuretic
Cumin	Fat reduction, helps in preventing drug dependence & food borne illnesses
Bay leaf	vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium, Magnesium, treats Migraine
Fenugreek seeds	Reduces muscle pain, improves digestion
Coriander seeds	Improves hair & skin health, reduces cholesterol
Mustard seeds	Reduces severity of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis
Nutmeg	strengthen cognitive function, detoxify the body, reduce insomnia, prevent leukemia, and improve blood circulation
Poppy seeds	relieve exhaustion, decrease anxiety, rich source of vitamins & minerals
Star anise	Treats cough, improves digestion
Sesame seeds	Plant protein, reduces cholesterol & blood pressure, supports bone health
Tamarind	Lowers blood sugar,  reverse fatty liver disease
Carom seeds	Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, helps in relieving peptic ulcers
Saffron	Helps in delayed puberty, patchy baldness, memory retention

 

Lets us know your status of relationship with spices in the comments below. Until next time spice you food and life. 

 

 

About the Author:

Dr. Priyanka Mohol [BHMS, PGDEMS & CC, DDHN, MPH (Scotland)]

Public Health Consultant & Community Nutrition Specialist