Indian spices are known for the flavor and the edge they add to every curry or any other type of Indian dish.
Whether you are looking for recipes that contain meat or you want to look for vegan-friendly recipes, the main ingredient is not the protein but the spices you add that make the dish finger-licking suitable.
One such Indian spice or a mixture of all spices is garam masala. If you visit any corner of India, this spice mix is a part of every household.
As you know, this hot spice mix is a blend of great Indian dry spices such as cardamom, clove, cinnamon, cumin, black pepper, coriander, star anise, bay leaf, red chili, etc.
Although discovered in India, these spices are used in various dishes in neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. There is no fixed recipe for making this masala spice mix, and every state has its way of making it, but the common factor remains it is used to add flavor to your dishes.
Various health benefits are associated with consuming this hot spice mix, and they differ based on the recipe and the number of times you use it daily. The ideal quantity is one spoon a day which gives enough flavor to the dish, but these help your body in various ways.
Here are a few benefits of the spice mix.
1. Digestion-
It is well-known that cloves and cardamom help deals with indigestion. But apart from that, they also stimulate appetite. The release of gastric juices helps in better digestion and prevents any scope of acidity. Especially cumin, which is used during any episode of acidity. The ingredients help in keeping any gastro level issues at bay.
2. Metabolism-
The masala mix contains pepper which is said to boost metabolism. The spice mix has other phytonutrients and rich minerals that help with metabolism, which is considered a healthier option. The masala mix ingredients are also helpful if you suffer from bloating and nausea.
3. Garam Masala Has High Nutritional Value
Garam masala is rich in fiber content. So, when you consume garam masala, you have something better for your gut health. Also, almost no fat content in the spice mix makes it a healthier choice for those who need to keep their diet in check.
Further, garam masala is a rich source of micronutrients. It has manganese, potassium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin B.
The table below highlights the nutritional value of garam masala (per 100 grams)
- Protein: 16g
- Total Carbohydrates: 45g
- Total Fat: 15g
- Total Calories: 379 calories
Garam Masala Improves Our Immune System
For a long, garam masala has been used as an effective home remedy for common cough, cold, and fever. It makes our immune system stronger. Also, having a hot cup of tea made of garam masala during cold and cough alleviates the discomfort.
In addition, garam masala helps to get rid of phlegm in our body, and it can also reduce chest congestion.
Garam masala, especially the cinnamon present in it, works as a powerful detoxifying agent. So, if you include garam masala in your daily diet, your body will start flushing out harmful toxins. This will be great for your internal health, and in this way, it will also help you lose weight. Moreover, by fighting and eliminating harmful toxins, garam masala can stop premature aging.
Garam masala also makes your liver free of toxins. This spice mix also increases blood flow to different parts of the body. As a result, cells throughout your body receive oxygen in greater amounts.
Maintains Good Cardiac Health
Garam masala is packed with antioxidant properties. So, when you have garam masala in your regular diet, it will restore your heart health. Also, this spice mix reduces the risks of strokes or cardiac arrests.
So, it can be beneficial for people with a history of cardiac problems and elderly people who are at a greater risk of having strokes.
Along with using these spice mixes in your food, you can also have them by adding them to your tea.
Helps Maintain Cholesterol Balance
Garam masala helps to maintain the right balance of good and bad cholesterol in our body. The black pepper present in garam masala transforms the bad cholesterol in our body into energy as it helps faster metabolism. Garam masala also has cloves. Clove is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. So, when you have garam masala, your muscles get toned.
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Recipe:
The easiest way is to pair it with any choice of protein. It could be meat such as chicken, a vegetarian option such as cottage cheese, or a vegan-friendly option such as tofu. And if you want to spice it up a bit, you can choose chickpeas.
Chickpeas are rich in protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. The following recipe includes the dish made with Chickpeas, but you can switch it to the protein of your choice.
- The first step is to layer your spices, starting with garam masala, coriander, cumin, paprika, turmeric, and salt. Once you have spices in order, the next step is to chop up vegetables.
- Onion, garlic (5-6 cloves), and one tomato. Take 3 cups of chickpeas. Now add all the ingredients to a pot with 6 cups of vegetable broth and cook them for about 30-45 mins and serve it with bread or rice or you can have it as it is.
- This dish is best made during winter. The warmth from the chickpeas will keep you stuffed for long hours. And as the last touch, you can add a few drops of lemon juice.
Final Thoughts–
The hot spice mix is a great way to restore your health if used in proper quantities. It is also said to work on bad cholesterol and things like diabetes. The best spice mixes are the ones that are not degraded, choose organic stores that provide good quality masala mixes.
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