When we decide to eat or prepare typical Asian dishes, especially from India, one of the star ingredients is curry. For both lovers and detractors, curry is easy to identify by its flavor and aroma, but would you know what exactly it is? And the properties it owns?
What is it?
Curry comes from the word kari, which means salsa in Tamil (language spoken in South India). They were the first to add a spice from the curry tree to dishes, the flavor of which was very intense and a bit spicy. When the British Empire discovered these dishes, they went crazy with the taste and started marketing this product.
The problem they didn't know they were going to encounter is that the leaves of the curry tree lose their scent in a matter of 48-72 hours. So the English tried to mix it with other spices, causing it to lose its characteristic smell.
Although most people identify it as a spice, curry powder is made up of different herbs and spices. It could be said that there is no one curry the same as another, except for those that come packaged from the factory. Even each one has a different tendency depending on the region and the dish for which it is going to be used.
Normally, the most used ingredients to create this combination are: cumin, coriander, cardamom, mustard, pepper, basil, ginger, chili powder, garlic, nutmeg and turmeric, among others. . In fact, turmeric is responsible for providing that typical yellowish color and several healthy properties.
Properties
Thanks to the composition of various spices and herbs, the beneficial properties of curry are multiplied. For every 100 grams we find:
- Energy: 325 calories
- Carbohydrates: 60%
- Fats: 30%
- Proteins: 10%
Of course, 100 grams is too much to spread on a plate, so don't be afraid to dress your food with this spice.
As we said before, turmeric is one of the main ingredients, being the curcumin one of the compounds that provides the most properties. There are several studies that praise the contribution of vitamins (A, B, D, E and K), minerals and antioxidants, as well as the antibiotic and regulating properties of hypertension that it has. As if that were not enough, curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory, which is why it is recommended to relieve pain and reduce joint inflammation.
The curry powder's carbohydrate quality score is 94.6/100, making it an excellent quality carbohydrate food. In addition, it contains complete protein when, proportionally to its total amino acid content, it has a sufficient amount of each of the essential amino acids.
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They say that curry helps improve memory; avoiding the degradation of the brain and preventing senile dementia and Alzheimer's. In addition, it could reduce the risk of cancer (skin, breast, colon and prostate) thanks to turmeric. Thanks to the mix of vitamins, our immune system is strengthened, so it can efficiently fight colds and flu.
Like almost any other spice, curry helps to have a good digestion, relieving constipation problems or stomach upset. Some even say that it is a perfect ingredient to speed up metabolism.
Improve the health of the heart
Consuming curry powder can benefit heart health in a number of ways. For example, research has shown that the spice blend can increase blood flow and improve blood vessel function, which in turn can decrease the risk of heart disease.
Human studies have found that turmeric and curcumin supplementation can lower cholesterol levels in humans, although these results were due to high-dose supplementation that exceeded amounts normally found in foods seasoned with curry powder.
Additionally, some research shows that consuming curry may have favorable effects on blood pressure levels, although more research is needed. As high blood pressure, triglyceride and cholesterol levels are risk factors for heart disease, eating curry powder can help improve heart health.
However, more research is needed on how curry powder can positively affect heart health and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Since curry powder is packed with spices like turmeric, coriander, and chili, it's no surprise that this seasoning has been shown to provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
Turmeric, one of the main spices in the mix, contains a pigment called curcumin. Curcumin is well known for its ability to fight inflammation by regulating inflammatory proteins, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).
In fact, research in both humans and animals has shown that turmeric and curcumin alone alleviate symptoms of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Other spices commonly found in curry powder, such as chili and coriander, also offer anti-inflammatory effects.
Antioxidant effect
Antioxidants are compounds that help prevent cell damage caused by reactive molecules known as free radicals.
Too many free radicals in the body can cause oxidative stress, a condition associated with chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, and mental decline. Eating foods rich in antioxidants can lessen the effects of oxidative stress and reduce the risk of disease. Curry powder contains a large amount of antioxidants, including curcumin, quercetin, pinene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and cuminal.
Adding antioxidant-rich curry powder to meals can help reduce oxidative stress and disease risk.
How is it used?
Because curry powder is a mixture of spices, it can be used to flavor many dishes. Curry powder has a unique, warm flavor that can take on both sweet and savory notes, depending on the exact combination of spices used by the manufacturer.
There is no single curry powder recipe and the spices used may vary. Some versions can be spicy from the use of hot peppers, while others are mild.
Once we find a curry powder that pleases our palate, we'll try adding it to dishes like marinades, potato salads, roasts, stews, and soups. In fact, this versatile spice blend can be used to season anything from vegetables to eggs, so don't be afraid to experiment.