Diet & Food

Indian Palate And Our Love For Spices

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Feb 10 2021

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If there is anything other than love for Cricket and love for Bollywood that binds India, it is our love for spices. The Indian Subcontinent is scattered with a huge variety of cuisines: Rajasthani, Gujarati, Goan, Kolhapuri, Chettinaad, Andhra, Malabari, Assamese, Bengali, Punjabi, etc. And the one common thread that strings these diverse and delectable flavors is the copious use of spices. The spices of India significantly titillates the taste buds of all Indians. Spices are good but too much of its intake can be harmful.

SPICES ARE GOOD

Adding natural, mild spices and flavors from an early age is a great way to introduce children to a variety of tastes. Spices such as turmeric, cinnamon, aniseed, cardamom, black pepper, cloves, carom seeds, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, etc. not only taste fantastic but they also have health benefits and are a part of Indian healthy eating. Indian food uses spices in almost every dish.

Listed below are some benefits of spices:

  • Spices are natural anti-helminths and antibacterial
  • They cure cold and flu
  • They are natural anti-blood clotting agents
  • They cure stomach ailments
  • They are natural antioxidants
  • They enhance blood circulation

But too much of spices intake can be harmful to us. Experts opine, “Spices are added to food to make them palatable. However, once they reach the digestive tract, they may cause irritation to stomach mucosal lining. Spices increase the acidic secretion and reduce the strength of mucosal barrier”.

PROBABLE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SPICES

DIGESTIVE AILMENTS - Over-indulgence in spices may cause stomach ailments. Although spices provide vitamins and other nutrients, too much of these nutrients can be harmful.

ACID REFLUX- Spices are a combination of acids. When too much acid is introduced over the natural acidic secretions of stomach, it results in Acid Reflux. It causes chest and throat burn. Chronic Acid Reflux leads to Esophageal Cancer. It also affects oral health.

ACUTE GASTRITIS- It is caused due to inflammation of Gastric Mucosal membrane that lines the stomach. Simple indigestion is a form. Acute cases include vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and bleeding in vomiting as well as in stools.

GASTRIC ULCER- Spicy food can cause ulcer in sensitive mucosal lining of stomach, duodenal ulcer (small intestine), and even Esophageal Ulcer.

INSOMNIA- Hot spicy food increases body temperature and creates excitement in the body that may trigger sleeplessness. Thus, it is advised to avoid spicy food at dinner.

AFFECTING THE PALATE- Constant consumption of hot food permanently deteriorates the sensation in the taste bud.

 

PREVENTIVE METHODS 

  • You can avoid the combination of oily and spicy food that might increase the acid secretion
  • You can drink milk in order to neutralize the acidic content of spicy food​

Excessive intake of piquant comestibles is sure to raise the mercury and give sleepless nights to you. Consult Medical Insurance Companies in India and invest in a customized health insurance plan suited to your current health status.

 

 


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