3 Important Health Benefits of Indian Food by Jason Parker

Like many Americans, you try to eat healthy but invariably wind up eating junk food. Even for people with tremendous willpower, dieting can be incredibly difficult. When it comes to richness and flavor, many healthy foods fall flat. In many cases, people are left feeling hungry and unsatisfied after health-conscious meals. While they may be good for you, they certainly don’t fill you up or deliver in the taste department. The sad truth is that the best-tasting foods are generally the worst for us. It seems like there’s always a price to pay for eating what you love.

Fortunately, not all healthy foods are plagued by the above-mentioned problems. In recent years, Indian cuisine has become increasingly popular in the U.S., thanks in no small part to its many health benefits. Of course, not all of India’s culinary offerings are equally healthy, but many of the country’s most popular dishes are synonymous with a broad array of perks. Introducing assorted Indian dishes into your household’s regular meal rotation can promote good health and satisfied stomachs. If you’re currently on the fence about giving Indian food a try, you’d do well to consider the following health benefits.

Improved Digestion

Since many Indian dishes contain ginger, consuming them on a regular basis can do wonders for your digestion. There’s a reason people who suffer from frequent nausea are encouraged to drink ginger ale: the key ingredient has the power to calm upset stomachs and improve digestion. Ginger is also a lesser-known anti-inflammatory, meaning it’s able to curb cramps and relieve muscle discomfort. Although sitcoms, cartoons and comic strips frequently characterize Indian cuisine as being conducive to stomach problems, in many cases, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Recent studies have also revealed that regular ginger consumption can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Free Radical Reduction

The next time you find yourself perusing an Indian food menu, look for entrees that contain green chilies. In addition to combating free radicals, green chilies are laden with antioxidants, which helps them slow down the aging process and stave off certain cancers. Like garlic, green chilies have been shown to boost immunity, making them ideal for diners who are frequently sick. Furthermore, they can also prove helpful in balancing out blood sugar levels, thus promoting weight loss. It’s worth noting that green chilies don’t just work to promote physical health; they can also improve your psychological wellbeing. With all the Vitamin E and iron they contain, green chilies help release positive endorphins in your brain.

Heightened Metabolism

For many people, the desire to lose weight is the driving force behind their attempts at eating healthy. Fortunately, Indian dishes containing turmeric can help you kill two birds with one stone. One of the most popular ingredients in Indian cuisine, turmeric – with curcumin, its active ingredient – has been shown to boost metabolism when consumed on a fairly regular basis. Turmeric also functions as a natural painkiller and antiseptic, and has been shown to reduce the risk of a number of cancers. Like green chilies, turmeric is an effective endorphin-releaser. In fact, the Chinese have used it to treat depression for centuries.

Eating healthy is often easier said than done. Despite wanting to do the right thing for your body, your stomach and taste-buds demand satisfaction. This is where Indian cuisine comes into play. With its great taste and abundant health benefits, Indian food is sure to strike a positive chord with healthy eaters.

About the Author: Jason Parker is a New York City-based schoolteacher and health food advocate. Whenever he encounters a friend or family member who’s dissatisfied with mainstream health foods, he recommends a delectable – and health-conscious – variety of popular Indian dishes.

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