SPICY INDIAN SUPERFOODS
There are some interesting foods on their list, all of which are not just high in micronutrients and antioxidants, but also actually help improve absorption of other nutrients too. Double bonus there!
About time everyone was made aware of these easily available foods - so that deficiency can become a thing of the past.
Here’s a primer on the plants and herbs that have made it to this super foods list and what they deliver:
Amla (Indian Gooseberry),Sonth (Dry Ginger Powder),Kachchi Haldi (Fresh Turmeric),Lehsun (Garlic)
Amla (Indian Gooseberry):
The Nutrition Punch: Amla is 80% water and delivers minerals: calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc and iron, and vitamins: carotene, B vitamins (thiamine(b1) riboflavin (b2) Niacin (B3), Pantothenic acid (B5), Vitamin B6, Folate) vitamin C and vitamin E, besides multiple antioxidants.
TIP: Grate it and add to smoothies, daal, salads or just juice it.
Sonth (Dry Ginger Powder):
The Nutrition Punch: Ground form of dried ginger roots, this traditional spice is eaten more in winters (as it is warming). It is not just a taste enhancer, rather it contains essential oils and is a fair sources of vitamins like beta carotene, vitamin C, B and minerals like potassium, calcium, zinc, iron and copper.
TIP: Blend it in warm water and sip, make ginger tea with it, add to daals.
Kachchi Haldi (Fresh Turmeric)
The Nutrition Punch: delivers pyridoxine (vitamin B6), choline, niacin, and riboflavin, vitamin C, and minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, copper, zinc, and magnesium. Also has multiple essential oils such as turmerone and zingiberene and a star component curcumin that supports better memory, focus and cognition and fights degenerative processes in the brain.
TIP:Use it for cooking, add to your tea, or just mix a little powered haldi with warm milk and a little pepper (to boost theabsorption on curcumin).
Lehsun (Garlic)
The Nutrition Punch: The sulfur compounds in garlic serve as its spotlight nutrients and bestow it mustiple benefits. In addition, garlic is an excellent source of manganese and vitamin B6; a very good source of vitamin C and copper; and a good source of selenium, phosphorus, vitamin B1 and calcium.
TIP: Swallow a clove or two of raw garlic first thing in the morning. Or use it for cooking liberally.