A bowl of rice mixed with rich and spicy curry is a satisfying meal. If you are planning to lose weight, this meal will not fit into your diet plan if you don’t plan your ingredients and portion size cleverly. Curry is full of vegetables, which will fill you up so you tend to snack less before your next meal. The main ingredient in the curry powder is Curcumin, which according to a research is instrumental in weight loss. To suit your weight loss plan, you need to plan your diet in a healthy way by deciding how to cook your food.
Curry is versatile, which is why it is loved all around the world. Using some very simple mix of essential and healthy ingredients like the coconut milk and the all important curry powder, gravy can be prepared using any protein or vegetable. The options are many when curry powder is concerned.
What is Curry Powder?
Curry powder is a mix of different spice powders that it is similar to a garam masala with turmeric as an ingredient. Overtime and depending on the region, curry powder has changed to suit the palates of the particular region. It is now available all over the world. Usually curry powder is a blend of various spices like turmeric powder, coriander, ginger, cumin, red chili, garlic, caraway, cinnamon, clove and other ingredients. Each ingredient in the curry powder has the potential to improve one or more aspects of physical as well as mental health. Choice of ingredients in the curry powder also makes a huge difference to one’s health. Curry powder mix comes in mild as well as in spicy forms, so if you have a sensitive stomach, stick to the mild curry powder.
sourceWhy is curry Powder good for you?
– Prevents Joint Pain
Turmeric is the main ingredient of the curry powder. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, which aids in reducing swelling and relieve the pain associated with joint inflammation. Regular consumption of turmeric is said to relieve arthritis pain, muscle pain and reduce the overall inflammation of the body.
– Promotes Cognitive Health
According to the researchers turmeric, which is an active ingredient in curry powder can help reduce the risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease and various other neurodegernative diseases. Curcumin is a compound that is found in turmeric powder, which prevents the onset of Alzheimer’s disease to a large extent.
– Anti-Cancer Properties
The spices that go into making the curry powder, primarily turmeric powder has anti-oxidant properties and studies have suggested that the regular consumption of curry powder in foods may reduce the risk of developing prostrate, skin and breast cancer. Turmeric is also known to stop the spread of tumor cells. Solely depending on curry powder will not help prevent cancer, you also have to lead a healthy lifestyle and stay away from foods and substances that can cause cancer and are potentially harmful for the body.
-Improves Immunity
Curry powder is rich in nutrients that are rich in vitamin A, C and B6, which protects the body from bacteria and viruses by maintaining a healthy immune system. Vitamin A ensures that all the mucus membranes in our throat, eyes, nose and mouth that are directly exposed to the outside world by the means of air we breathe and food and water we intake are healthy.
-Aids in Digestion
Spices that go into making the curry powder such as star anise, cardamom and black pepper are all known to relieve the digestive discomfort and treat constipation, abdominal cramps, and loss of appetite. Ginger that goes into making the curry powder is very useful in treating nausea and preventing vomiting. Black pepper promotes the secretion of gastric enzymes that aids in digestion. Cloves reduce flatulence and are efficient in preventing intestinal worms.
-Burns excess fat
Black pepper in curry powder enhances the metabolism by breaking down of the fat cells in the fat deposits, contributing to weight loss.
-Curcumin and Weight Loss
Turmeric one of the main spices found in curry powder contains an active compound called Curcumin, which aids in weight loss and is good news for anyone looking to lose weight. According to a research conducted by USDA Agricultural Research Service found out that how Curcumin affected body composition of laboratory rats that were fed different types of food. Rats that were fed with high fat diet supplemented with Curcumin were gaining less fat and body weight compared to other rats that were fed the same food without Curcumin supplementation. It was found that Curcumin reduces obesity and the severe side-effects associated with obesity.
-Eat Small Portions
We all by now know the benefits of Curcumin that is found in the curry powder, but if you are trying to lose weight, you need to watch out for what you eat and the amount of food you eat. Eat one serving even though you may have an option to eat lavishly. Instead, save some food for the next meal. If you decide to cook curry at home, make sure you prepare light meals with less calories. Choose lean meat instead of red meat and look out for low fat substitutes. Curries loaded with bad ingredients are obviously not going to help and instead harm your body.
Depending on the brand you get in the market, the ingredients in the curry powder may vary. If you are not a fan of spicy food, then go for mild curry powders since they may not have certain ingredients compared to the spicy curry powders. If you prefer a healthy and safe alternative, it would be better to prepare you own curry powder at home with organic ingredients that are safe and will match your taste and preferences. Anything in moderation is good so you can enjoy all the health benefits of the food you take for a longtime. Make sure you lead a healthy lifestyle. Eat and stay healthy physically and mentally.
