Most people will agree that Indian food is delicious, but research suggests that it could very well be good for more than just filling your belly! It has been suggested that the regular consumption of Indian cuisine could have a positive effect on a number of health conditions including diabetes and even some cancers.
Turmeric and Healthy Hearts
In 2008, scientists revealed that turmeric was successful in not only preventing heart failure in mice, but also in repairing heart damage. The distinctive yellow spice is one of the key ingredients in many Indian dishes. It is believed that a compound called curcumin which is found in turmeric which is responsible for the restorative qualities.
Turmeric as a medicinal substance should not come as a surprise really, since it has been used in detox for many years. It acts as a cleanser for the liver and can act as an anti-inflammatory which can benefit arthritis sufferers. Turmeric has also been linked to the prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Not As High In Fat As You Think
There is a common misconception that Indian food is fatty. However, what most people forget is that rather than using liberal amounts of cooking oil like Western cooking, Indian cuisine actually uses ghee which is a clarified butter.
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This is a much healthier fat than traditional oils and is thought to aid digestion and boost the immune system. Of course, many Indian dishes also contain large quantities of cream and milk, so it is important to choose wisely so as not to overindulge on calorie-laden dishes.
How Spicy Food Can Help Diabetes
One of the most widely used ingredients in Indian Cuisine are chillies. They are the easiest way to add heat to a dish and they come in a vast range of varieties each with their own spot on the heat scale. A study conducted by the University of Tasmania in 2006 discovered that eating chillies actually has a positive effect on insulin levels.
There is not yet a confirmed reason for this, but the general consensus is that something in the chillies interacts with the liver to alter how much insulin is produced. Indian food also contains a number of other ingredients known to help regulate blood sugar including garlic, beans, leafy greens, pulses and yogurt.
Can Your Curry Cure Cancer?
One of the current pieces of advice regarding combating and reducing the risk of cancer is that plenty of fruits and vegetables should be included in the diet. Since Indian cooking uses lots of vegetables it fits in well with this advice.
In addition to this, the high volume of pulses like lentils and chickpeas in an Indian diet provides lots of protein and the presence of plenty of onion acts as a powerful antioxidant which can help fight various cancers including prostrate, breast and colon cancers. Indian food won’t cure cancer, but it is believed to help fight it.
Indian food is by no means a substitute for modern medicine, but in many cases it can have a positive impact on our health when included in the diet.
