India has been traditionally known as the spice kingdom of the world. They were a source of Inda’s once limitless wealth and one of the critical commodities traded first on the silk route and then led Europeans to look for the routes to India. These species continue to be one of the defining characteristics of Indian culture. This article discusses all the health benefits of various Indian spices.
Incredible health benefits of Indian spices
Caramon, Cinamon, Coriander, Cumin, Ginger, and Turmeric are some of the essential Indian species that offer several health benefits besides making food delicious.
1. Cardamom
The first and one of the most important species on this list is Cardamom. It is used in several ways – while ground cardamom can be used to give tea, curries or rice a strong flavor, one can add to a virtually endless list of dishes to overshadow the milder flavors in them. They are also added to paans. They also offer several excellent health benefits, including the following.
- Cardamom has incredible Antioxidant and cancer-fighting properties. While its antioxidants are beneficial for the skin, they may also have compounds that fight cancer cells.
- Another excellent health benefit of Cardamom is that its antioxidants can fight inflammation arising out of various injuries, burns, etc.
- They are also a natural alternative to Mint. They can freshen breath, thus cure foul mouth odor while also improving oral health by fighting common mouth bacteria.
2. Cinnamon
Cinamon is next on this list of Indian species with incredible health benefits. It is rich in cinnamaldehyde, a compound that scientists believe might be responsible for most of cinnamon’s effects on human health in general and metabolism in particular. Some of its most incredible health benefits include the following:
- Despite having an oily component, Cinamon has the magical ability to reduce the total and bad cholesterol levels while retaining good cholesterol, making it an excellent friend for people with heart problems.
- Cinamon is one of the best species for anti-inflammatory properties due to its richness in antioxidants.
- Its antioxidants also make it an effective tool in fighting infections.
3. Coriander
The little seeds of Coriander are next in this list of species. One of the key ingredients of the famous Garam Masala, which is a renowned blend of several ground spices, is used heavily in Indian cooking and many street food items like aloo Tikki, samosa, etc. It also offers several health benefits, including some of the following:
- Their anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties make them excellent for fighting infections.
- They can also help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- They can also lower blood sugar levels by assisting increase insulin from Pancreas.
4. Cumin
One of the most common ingredients in Ayurvedic treatments, Cumin is next in this list of Indian species with excellent health benefits. Some of the essential health benefits of Cumin include the following:
- It is a rich source of Iron and, as such, can enhance the creation of Red Blood Cells (RBC) in the body.
- Its iron-rich content makes it an essential ingredient for the diets of menstruating women who must have higher Iron content in their diet (because of the blood loss during the menstruation.
- It also assists in its digestion because of its antioxidants which can reduce food-borne infections.
- There is also some evidence that suggests that it can assist in weight loss if taken with a low-calorie diet.
5. Ginger
Ginger’s next spice in this list of six spices with incredible health benefits. It was known and used for its health benefits and strong flavor in India for centuries. Ginger is used in a large number of dishes, including Gingerbread, as a pickle, and as a flavor for tea. Some of its most important health benefits include the following:
- It is known to work against nausea.
- Its powerful antioxidants can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Its effectiveness against pain makes it greatly helpful for people with osteoarthritis.
- It can also lower blood sugars.
- It can also reduce the risk of various heart diseases.
6. Turmeric
The last in this list of six species with incredible health benefits is Turmeric. A yellow spice with a unique flavor, Turmeric is widely used for people recovering from various kinds of injuries due to its anti-inflammatory powers. One can also use it in several food items to provide flavor and color. Some of the best health benefits of Turmeric include the following:
- It can enhance the rate of recovery from various injuries.
- It is known to increase immunity against various kinds of brain diseases, particularly the age-related diseases of the brain.
- It may also be effective against depression.
- It is an essential dietary ingredient for people with inflammatory arthritis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When discussing Indian specie and their health benefits, there are several frequently asked questions (FAQs). The following are some of the most important of these:
Question: Are these health benefits discussed in Ayurveda?
Answer: Yes, many of these health benefits have been discussed in Ayurveda.
Question: What are some of the precautions I must take regarding these Indian species?
Answer: The reader must note the following precautionary notes while using spices:
- While Ayurveda and other medical traditions have long supported the various health benefits mentioned above, there is limited scientific research to keep most of these health benefits.
- Even though the spices mentioned above are mostly harmless, the other items in the dish to which they are added may not be so. Often many snacks containing these spices also have other ingredients with many calories, fats, etc.
- People with blood pressure, blood sugar, or any other health condition, particularly those on medication, should only make significant changes in their diet after consulting with doctors.
If the reader has any other queries, they should feel free to ask them here.
The Bottom Line
One can quickly wrap up the above discussion by concluding that Indian species offer many health benefits. One can quickly get the best of their benefits as long as one consumes them in moderation.
