Curry powder, thanks to its mixture of ingredients, that makes curry powder concentrates multiple benefits for our health that we can enjoy with a single product and without the need to consume in large quantities.
Curry is a mixture of spices; the recipe comes from the Ayurvedic medicine of India. The curry is originally from India but has spread to places as different as Britain, Arabia or the Caribbean countries.
In each region, it was given a special touch. For example, in Sri Lanka, it is made very spicy by adding more mustard.
Curry is a seasoning composed of several spices, yellow in color and with a very particular aroma. It is commonly used to enhance the flavors of food and add a slight spicy touch.
There are thousands of recipes that include it and, an ingredient that is part of the cuisine is different in many countries.
What is in curry powder made of? & Benefits
There is no perfect recipe for Curry powder, but it is generally a mixture of spices that have a different ratio of each spice and have different ratio and proportion in different parts of India.
The most common spices that are used in Curry powder are turmeric black mustard, chili powder, black pepper, coriander seed powder, ground cumin. The taste can be from mild, medium or hot.
Most of the Indian cooks don’t use a single spice rather they use a mixture of spices called masala to flavor their dishes.
1. Turmeric – An Anti-Inflammatory Medicine
Turmeric ingredients in Curry powder not only give color to your recipe but also have great anti-inflammatory and purifying power properties, thanks to its stimulating effect on the liver.
Studies indicate that a very small amount is enough to benefit from its properties, but consumption should be habitual. It can prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
2. Mustard Seeds – Good Friend Of Your Heart
Black mustard ingredients in Curry powder is good for heart, there are three types of Mustard Seeds, first one is the black (Brassica nigra), white (Brassica alba) and brown (Brassica juncea ) mustards, the first one has the spiciest flavor.
All are rich in antioxidant selenium and in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and vitamin B 1, which participates in energy production.
If added to food can release the aromas (the same goes for coriander and cumin seeds). Add a tablespoon of ground mustard to your mixture.
3. Chili pepper – It Calms and Discomfort Itches
Chili pepper is another spice that flavor food with many health benefits. It provides vitamin E (one tablespoon provides 7% of the daily need), Provitamin A, vitamin B 6 and iron.
The capsaicin, responsible for the spiciness, is anti-inflammatory and anti-infective. There are chilies of different intensity and qualities. Choose the one you like because it will give your personality to the curry.
4. Black Pepper- The great companion Of Turmeric
Black Pepper not only provides physiological benefits but also prevent chronic ailment in addition to fundamental nutrition. Black pepper (Piper Nigrum L.) is an important healthy food owing to its antioxidant, antimicrobial potential and gastro-protective modules.
The body needs very little manganese, but this antioxidant mineral is essential for bones and skin. Black pepper provides it and is essential in any mixture that includes turmeric, as it multiplies its absorption several times.
5. Coriander – Helps to digest without difficulty
In Ayurveda, Coriander is used for stomach related problems such as digestion problems, loss of appetite, hernia, and upset of stomach, nausea, bowel spasms, intestinal gas, and diarrhea.
In addition, its medicinal effects are highly valued. In Europe, Coriander is attributed to control blood sugar and cholesterol. In Asia, it is considered digestive and useful for fever, lack of appetite and inflammation.
Add 2 tablespoons to your diet; it has dodecenal, a compound with anti-infective properties.
5. Cumin – To Avoid Flatulence
The seeds are small but can add great contribution health, put a tablespoon and a half in your mixture to get its benefits.
It helps to reduce stresses, boost the digestive system, and it stimulates the secretion of pancreatic enzymes. Therefore they are recommended as an ingredient in dishes with legumes that can cause gas.
What are the benefits of curry powder?
The benefits of curry are due to a mixture of the different condiments that make it up. Here are some of its incredible effects.
1. It helps in the prevention of Alzheimer’s
It can be best Alzheimer’s prevention measures for starters, according to studies published in Ann Indian Acad Neurol. On 2008 Jan-Mar; 11(1): 13–19. Found that the effects of turmeric, included in the curry, help the recovery and boost of brain functions. In fact, it can prevent the spread of amyloid plaques that cause Alzheimer’s.
2. It is good for digestion
Curry powder can be best for digestive systems due to various spices and herbs used in it that favors the reduction of digestive problems, such as bad breath and cramping. In addition, it calms the intestine and blocks food poisoning.
3. It relieves pain and inflammation
The anti-inflammatory properties of Curcumin, an active ingredient of turmeric and present in curry, reduce joint pain.
On the other hand, it is especially effective for those pains associated with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Its effects have even been compared with the antispasmodic properties of ibuprofen.
4. Antioxidant and lightening
It has been found that the properties of curry powder help to protect against free radical damage, helping to combat the signs of aging. You can use turmeric powder as masks, which will reduce the wrinkles generated by age. It can also help to lighten the skin in case of suffering pigmentation in the body.
5. It strengthens the immune system
Regular curry consumption helps us fight numerous pathogenic bacteria and strengthens the immune system. It can also prevent the cold and its symptoms and is very effective when it comes to decongesting the respiratory tract.
6. it is excellent for bones
There are studies which have revealed that regular use of turmeric can lower the negative effect of bone fissures in people with osteoporosis. The popular Indian spice is known to improve bone density by up to seven per cent over six months; it is due to a compound in turmeric, known as Curcumin.
7. It helps in the prevention of cancer
Another benefit of yellow curry is its powerful antioxidant properties, which help prevent certain types of cancer and their spread. Among these types are breast cancers, gastric cancer, prostate or colon, among others.
8. It helps to reduce blood pressure
The herbs like black pepper in curry relish help lower blood pressure levels. This spice has to vasodilate properties, these, in turn, affect proteins that decrease blood vessel tension.
This can lead to a reduction in blood pressure. In this way, it attenuates the incidence of multiple heart diseases. According to a study by scientists found that Piperine the active substance of black pepper helps to reduce blood pressure since it stimulates the senses and elevates the production of endorphins.
Lose weight with curry powder?
Curry powder can be also the best remedy for weight loss. The spices such as turmeric and black pepper accelerate the metabolism allowing the body to burn fatter.
In addition, being spicy, have thermogenic properties that raise body temperature, inhibit the growth of adipose tissue and, therefore, the body consumes more energy.
For this reason, curry favors and facilitates the control and reduction of body weight. Also, its ingredients combat fluid retention, help reduce appetite and reduce cholesterol and triglycerides.
Contraindications – Is curry powder bad?
On the one hand, the consumption of curry is not recommended when you have gastritis and gastric ulcers. It is due to its ingredients which can increase the risk of irritation of the stomach.
On the other hand, it should not be consumed if you suffer from kidney stones, because turmeric increases the secretion of bile acids.
Finally, this spice should be avoided during the period of lactation. Capsaicin, found in some condiments, may alter the taste of breast milk and give it a spicy touch.
