The medicinal aspect of spices ;
Cooking without spices is almost unimaginable. The use of spices starts right from the kitchen, and moves on to medicinal uses as well. Not only do spices help add taste, flavor and color, consumption of spices has a plethora of health benefits.
They possess anti-bacterial and antifungal properties, and also act as antioxidants. They help fight off various infections, and are known for boosting the immune system. Spices are generally used in small amounts, so the number of calories they add is almost negligible. This is why spices are used in large quantities in Indian homes, as their benefits are numerous, and they have no downsides or side effects at all. Here are the benefits of some common spices we use.
Ginger ;
Ginger contains multiple bioactive compounds, including gingerols, shogaols, and paradols, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in the body. Studies show that both eating ginger and taking ginger supplements could benefit health in several ways
Try adding ginger to your diet by grating fresh ginger into hot water for a warming tea and adding fresh or powdered ginger to your favorite recipes, such as smoothies, noodle dishes, salad dressings, and oatmeal.
Cinnamon ;
Regularly consuming or supplementing with cinnamon may offer significant metabolic benefits. Studies have shown that people who consumed between 1-6 grams of cinnamon per day for 40 to 90 days experienced reductions in blood sugar, blood lipid, and blood pressure levels.
Garlic is found to have a range of health benefits. It wards off cough and cold, good for cardiac health, improves brain functioning, improves digestion, balances blood sugar, boosts immunity, improves skin health, prevents cancer and peptic ulcer.
The Takeaway
Spices are the essence of life – balancing flavours from everyday ingredients and elevating them to a whole new flavour profile while serving our dietary needs and promoting wellness.
Je Kuna kiwango sahihi au kinachotakiwa Cha viungo mwilini kwa siku?(recommended proportion of spices per day).
Quote from grace on October 27, 2023, 6:30 pmJe Kuna kiwango sahihi au kinachotakiwa Cha viungo mwilini kwa siku?(recommended proportion of spices per day).
Hapana, na hapajawahi kuwa na RDA( recommended dietary allowance) ya chakula chochote kile. Instead, kuna RDA za nutrients kwa mfano RDA ya wanga ni 130 grams kwa siku, lakini hakuna RDA ya ugali.
Na pia, viungo ni kitu ambacho tunakula katika viwango vidogo sana na hatuwezi zidisha, kama ilivyo chumvi. Na zinachangia kidogo sana katika hizi major nutrients kama vile wanga na protini sanasana viungo vinakuwa na micronutrients ambazo zinatusaidia kwa kazi adhimu kama vile antioxidants.
Kwahiyo katika chakula chako, weka tu kiwango cha viungo kinachotosheleza ladha yako vizuri.