The reason why Indian cuisine stands out!

Spices have been a part of our diet since we discovered them. The aroma that comes while your mom is tempering the dal, makes you sneeze a few times but, that’s what makes it taste better.

This aromatic blend of spices is what makes Indian cuisine stand out among others.

Everyone advises eating home-cooked food to maintain our health. Even though we use spices in very small amounts, they provide us with acceptable health benefits.

Focusing on the potential health advantages of Indian spices might help you understand them better.

Spices contribute to giving your bland food a good flavour. They are natural flavour enhancers and also keep you healthy at the same time. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, while Ajwain or Carrom seeds can help relieve gas.

But these are just a few benefits of spices that we know. Several others and their benefits are included in this piece, which not all of us would have known about.

The prominent, eye-catching yellow colour in the dal is all because of turmeric. It contains several substances categorised as curcuminoids. One of the most important among them and the primary active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin.

Health benefits of turmeric

1. Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant properties
   
   Heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and other nerve damage can all be caused by chronic inflammation. Curcumin lowers inflammation and as a result the likelihood of falling sick to such diseases.
   One of the causes of many illnesses and ageing is oxidative damage. Curcumin is a strong antioxidant that helps prevent oxidative damage.
   
2. Boosts brain health
   
   Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), is a protein hormone, which promotes the life of neurons in the brain. It is linked to common brain disorders. Curcumin helps maintain BDNF levels, boosting brain health as a result.
   
3. Lowers the risk of heart disease
   
   One of the main causes of heart disease is improper functioning of the blood vessel's inner lining. Curcumin improves its functions and lowers the risk of heart disease.
   
4. Prevents cancer
   
   Studies have shown that consuming curcumin causes cancer cells to die and keeps cancer from spreading.

The body must absorb curcumin in the required amounts to obtain the benefits. The body cannot absorb curcumin as readily as it can absorb other food components but with the consumption of piperine (black pepper), the absorption increases by 2,000%. [1]

Apart from their bitter taste, carrom seeds are super nutritious. They are rich in fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals such as thiamine, niacin, sodium, and potassium. They also contain a compound called thymol, which elicits aromatic fragrances in the seeds.

Health benefits of carom seeds

Ajwain is a great remedy to cure colds and coughs. It also aids digestion and relieves stomach pain and uneasiness.

1. Lowers blood pressure
   
   Carom seeds are believed to prevent calcium from entering the blood vessels helping maintain lower blood pressure.
   
2. Relieves joint pain
   
   Carom seeds have anti-inflammatory properties. They reduce swelling, redness, and pain in the joints.
   
3. Enhances good cholesterol
   
   These seeds contain reasonable amounts of fibre and fatty acids. This help to lower the levels of bad cholesterol and increase the levels of good cholesterol.
   
4. Relieves respiratory problems
   
   Carom seed water keeps your lungs clean to prevent blockage. This is the bronchodilatory effect that benefits asthma patients. [2]

Cloves can be used whole or grounded. They are used to flavour baked items, season meats, and spice up curries.

Health benefits of Cloves

Cloves are a great source of beta-carotene which imparts their brown colour. Carotenes are important antioxidants and provitamins. They can convert into Vitamin A, a nutrient important for eye health.

1. Anti-inflammatory
   
   Cloves contain anti-inflammatory substances like Eugenol. It can reduce inflammation, lower the risk of Arthritis and help manage its symptoms.
   
2. Antioxidant property
   
   Eugenol in cloves is also a potent antioxidant. It helps reduce the risk of developing heart diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers.
   
3. Reduces ulcers
   
   Research shows that eating cloves can thicken the stomach's lining, (which protects the stomach from ulcers). So it lessens the chance of getting ulcers and aids in their recovery.
   
4. Enhances Liver health
   
   According to studies, eugenol can lower the risk of fatty liver disease and liver cirrhosis. It might also enhance essential liver functions. [3]

Black pepper in Sanskrit is referred to as Pippali. It enhances the flavour of the food and acts as a natural preservative.

Health benefits of Black pepper

It has a bioactive compound called piperine (an antioxidant). Piperine imparts the spicy taste and health-boosting properties of Black pepper. Piperine is thought to help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders.

1. Enhances digestive and intestinal health
   
   Black pepper helps stimulate stomach acid to aid digestion and improve the absorption of food. It also reduces discomfort by relieving gas buildup in the intestines.
   
2. Improves overall health
   
   White blood cells, which the body employs to fend off invasive bacteria and viruses, are strengthened by the active substances in black pepper. [4]

As we all know, spices can help with various minor health problems, including the common cold and gas. But they have also proved helpful for several severe illnesses and ailments. Spices are not merely flavour enhancers, they are crucial to our health too. All spices are predominantly known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. While they also enhance our overall health by improving our immunity and helping prevent chronic diseases like heart disease.