Food#1 - Top 10 Super Foods in India 2019
"You Are What You Eat" You must have heard this line Million times, right?
Food is probably the most vital aspect of our overall health and well-being. That is why doctors and experts always stress the importance of taking a balanced and nutrient-rich diet. In India, food is a culture.
A nutrient-dense food which is beneficial to the body is called a superfood. Superfoods are the key to a healthy body. The health benefits associated with these superfoods are surely going to amaze you. The micronutrients available in the superfoods make them super healthy for our body and mind. Superfood also helps us in our weight loss goals.
We all know the benefits that avocados or broccoli or tofu have in the diet. But a glance at an average Indian household will show you that the superfoods we have in our kitchen or we can grow in our backyards as well are equally Best. They are rich in nutrients, found in abundance in India. And The fact that they are easy on our pocket is an added benefit.
In this post, we will talk about the 10 superfoods that are not only popular in our country but have also gained significant popularity in the world markets as well. So we should make them a part of our regular diet.
So here are Top 10 Indian superfoods that offer amazing health benefits:
Puffed up like balls of cotton, lotus seeds are becoming a popular snack in Western wholefood shops. Commonly known as makhana in India, lotus seeds are low in fat and sodium and rich in protein, zinc, magnesium, potassium, fibre and iron. This superfood helps in improving urination and is also known to possess anti-ageing properties due to a natural flavonoid found in them called kaempferol. They are also believed to have a calming effect on a stressed mind and an effective cure to insomnia. They are a perfect snack option for children in between meals and a great alternative to popular snacks like popcorn.
Amla is also known as the Indian gooseberry. It aids in fighting the common cold and helps in strengthening the immune system. Amla is very rich in vitamins like C, A and B-6, especially vitamin C, and has powerful antioxidant properties. Health experts recommend taking this Indian superfood during pregnancy for its nutritional content and ability to fight conditions like anaemia and gestational diabetes. Besides promoting your hair, skin and nails, this fruit helps in regulating your blood sugar levels as well. Amla is known to improve eye-sight. It is also an excellent pain reliever. In India, gooseberry is commonly used to make chutneys, pickles and jam. In the West, amla is mostly used in face and body care products for its skin benefits.
Ragi Also known as finger millet, this super grain is extremely healthy and beneficial to your health. Ragi is a gluten-free whole grain. It is rich in fibre that helps with weight loss and is packed with calcium, good carbs, amino acids and Vitamin D. It is known as one of the best Indian superfoods during diabetes for its role in regulating blood sugar levels. Ragi is known to be a natural relaxant and it reduces the risk of strokes. It promotes weight loss as well.
Ghee or clarified butter has been used in India for centuries. It is already a superfood in here because it comes from a cow, one of India’s sacred animals. Ghee has been in use in almost every dish in a variety of forms. It is nutrient-rich and free of milk proteins, making it a good option for those with dairy intolerances. Ghee may be high in fat but recent lab studies have shown that daily consumption of ghee (in adequate quantities) can boosts immunity, strengthens bones, promotes the functioning of the brain, and also improves digestion. It is also rich in antioxidants. It does, however, have a strong buttery taste and smell!
This spice is available in every Indian kitchen and finds its use in almost every dish. The bright yellow colour of turmeric gives a beautiful look to any dish. If used regularly it aids in promoting the cardiovascular system, and can also fight certain types of cancers. This herb is used for detoxification. Haldi is known as an Ayurvedic spice and is often used in Ayurvedic medicines, which are ancient Hindu herbal remedies for curing all kinds of illnesses and ailments. It is good for eyes and skin as well. Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent that can be used to fight infections. In fact, a very effective remedy for the common cold is to mix a pinch of turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk and have it before going to bed.
Daliya is best known as broken wheat. It is found on the breakfast table of most Indian households. Daliya can be prepared in various forms, and it contains the right amount of nutrients. Apart from being rich in fibre, it is also very rich in vitamin B and manganese. It is almost devoid of fat and is an excellent source of protein.
Kathal is a tropical Indian fruit that is slowly climbing the superfood ladder. Kathal is Rich in carbohydrate, vitamins, calcium, vitamin A, B, C, copper, potassium, electrolytes, fibre and phytonutrients. Jackfruit is bursting with many minerals and nutrients. It can replenish your energy instantly. Being rich in dietary fats it promotes digestion and also helps in preventing constipation. Jackfruit can be consumed even in its raw form. The high fibre content in jackfruit aids in easy digestion and improves bowel movements. Besides this, it can also improve thyroid, skin, and vision function.
Coconut oil is used in many households for cooking and for oiling the hair. Coconut can be used to make a variety of dishes as well. Coconut can be consumed in various ways. Coconut water contains high ascorbic acid, vitamin B and proteins. Its fat-free property makes it an ideal drink to be had throughout the day to detoxify your body. It is an excellent natural moisturiser.
Yoghurt is yet another amazing superfood just like ghee. It is consumed mainly during the summer months. Yoghurt contains good bacterias that help in proper and efficient digestion of food and also in preventing harmful stomach infections. Regular consumption of curd can help in improving your immunity and also help in improving your cardiovascular health. It is a rich source of calcium, almost 20% of our calcium needs are met by this superfood. It is also an excellent source of vitamin-D. Due to its carminative nature, it can strengthen bones and muscles.
Moringa, also known as Drumstick is another superfood. While most Indians know it as ‘drumstick’, in the West it’s a trendy additive to a super green morning smoothie. It is a popular addition in South Indian dishes such as Sambhar and Avial. The leaves and fruit of this tree are used for several medicinal purposes. They are power-packed with nutrients. Drumsticks are a rich source of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, C, D, essential Amino acids, fibre, and antioxidants such as beta-carotene and flavonoids. Not just that, Moringa leaves are also fibre-rich and play an important role in reducing blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Recently there’s been an onslaught of moringa teas, supplements and powders appearing in health food stores as well as in some big supermarket chain stores. This fibrous vegetable comes from the ‘Tree of Life’, or more aptly known as Moringa Oleifera.
So, These are the top 10 Superfoods we included in today's post. You should try to include them in your diet. There are many more superfoods yet to cover. We might Discuss them in a separate post someday.
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Food is probably the most vital aspect of our overall health and well-being. That is why doctors and experts always stress the importance of taking a balanced and nutrient-rich diet. In India, food is a culture.
A nutrient-dense food which is beneficial to the body is called a superfood. Superfoods are the key to a healthy body. The health benefits associated with these superfoods are surely going to amaze you. The micronutrients available in the superfoods make them super healthy for our body and mind. Superfood also helps us in our weight loss goals.
We all know the benefits that avocados or broccoli or tofu have in the diet. But a glance at an average Indian household will show you that the superfoods we have in our kitchen or we can grow in our backyards as well are equally Best. They are rich in nutrients, found in abundance in India. And The fact that they are easy on our pocket is an added benefit.
In this post, we will talk about the 10 superfoods that are not only popular in our country but have also gained significant popularity in the world markets as well. So we should make them a part of our regular diet.
So here are Top 10 Indian superfoods that offer amazing health benefits:
1. Makhanas (Lotus Seeds)
Puffed up like balls of cotton, lotus seeds are becoming a popular snack in Western wholefood shops. Commonly known as makhana in India, lotus seeds are low in fat and sodium and rich in protein, zinc, magnesium, potassium, fibre and iron. This superfood helps in improving urination and is also known to possess anti-ageing properties due to a natural flavonoid found in them called kaempferol. They are also believed to have a calming effect on a stressed mind and an effective cure to insomnia. They are a perfect snack option for children in between meals and a great alternative to popular snacks like popcorn.
2. Amla (Gooseberry)
Amla is also known as the Indian gooseberry. It aids in fighting the common cold and helps in strengthening the immune system. Amla is very rich in vitamins like C, A and B-6, especially vitamin C, and has powerful antioxidant properties. Health experts recommend taking this Indian superfood during pregnancy for its nutritional content and ability to fight conditions like anaemia and gestational diabetes. Besides promoting your hair, skin and nails, this fruit helps in regulating your blood sugar levels as well. Amla is known to improve eye-sight. It is also an excellent pain reliever. In India, gooseberry is commonly used to make chutneys, pickles and jam. In the West, amla is mostly used in face and body care products for its skin benefits.
3. Ragi (Finger Millet)
Ragi Also known as finger millet, this super grain is extremely healthy and beneficial to your health. Ragi is a gluten-free whole grain. It is rich in fibre that helps with weight loss and is packed with calcium, good carbs, amino acids and Vitamin D. It is known as one of the best Indian superfoods during diabetes for its role in regulating blood sugar levels. Ragi is known to be a natural relaxant and it reduces the risk of strokes. It promotes weight loss as well.
4. Ghee (Clarified Butter)
Ghee or clarified butter has been used in India for centuries. It is already a superfood in here because it comes from a cow, one of India’s sacred animals. Ghee has been in use in almost every dish in a variety of forms. It is nutrient-rich and free of milk proteins, making it a good option for those with dairy intolerances. Ghee may be high in fat but recent lab studies have shown that daily consumption of ghee (in adequate quantities) can boosts immunity, strengthens bones, promotes the functioning of the brain, and also improves digestion. It is also rich in antioxidants. It does, however, have a strong buttery taste and smell!
5. Haldi (Turmeric)
This spice is available in every Indian kitchen and finds its use in almost every dish. The bright yellow colour of turmeric gives a beautiful look to any dish. If used regularly it aids in promoting the cardiovascular system, and can also fight certain types of cancers. This herb is used for detoxification. Haldi is known as an Ayurvedic spice and is often used in Ayurvedic medicines, which are ancient Hindu herbal remedies for curing all kinds of illnesses and ailments. It is good for eyes and skin as well. Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent that can be used to fight infections. In fact, a very effective remedy for the common cold is to mix a pinch of turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk and have it before going to bed.
6. Daliya (Broken Wheat)
Daliya is best known as broken wheat. It is found on the breakfast table of most Indian households. Daliya can be prepared in various forms, and it contains the right amount of nutrients. Apart from being rich in fibre, it is also very rich in vitamin B and manganese. It is almost devoid of fat and is an excellent source of protein.
7. Kathal (Jackfruit)
Kathal is a tropical Indian fruit that is slowly climbing the superfood ladder. Kathal is Rich in carbohydrate, vitamins, calcium, vitamin A, B, C, copper, potassium, electrolytes, fibre and phytonutrients. Jackfruit is bursting with many minerals and nutrients. It can replenish your energy instantly. Being rich in dietary fats it promotes digestion and also helps in preventing constipation. Jackfruit can be consumed even in its raw form. The high fibre content in jackfruit aids in easy digestion and improves bowel movements. Besides this, it can also improve thyroid, skin, and vision function.
8. Naariyal (Coconut)
Coconut oil is used in many households for cooking and for oiling the hair. Coconut can be used to make a variety of dishes as well. Coconut can be consumed in various ways. Coconut water contains high ascorbic acid, vitamin B and proteins. Its fat-free property makes it an ideal drink to be had throughout the day to detoxify your body. It is an excellent natural moisturiser.
9. Dahi (Curd or Yogurt)
Yoghurt is yet another amazing superfood just like ghee. It is consumed mainly during the summer months. Yoghurt contains good bacterias that help in proper and efficient digestion of food and also in preventing harmful stomach infections. Regular consumption of curd can help in improving your immunity and also help in improving your cardiovascular health. It is a rich source of calcium, almost 20% of our calcium needs are met by this superfood. It is also an excellent source of vitamin-D. Due to its carminative nature, it can strengthen bones and muscles.
10. Sahjan (Moringa)
Moringa, also known as Drumstick is another superfood. While most Indians know it as ‘drumstick’, in the West it’s a trendy additive to a super green morning smoothie. It is a popular addition in South Indian dishes such as Sambhar and Avial. The leaves and fruit of this tree are used for several medicinal purposes. They are power-packed with nutrients. Drumsticks are a rich source of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, C, D, essential Amino acids, fibre, and antioxidants such as beta-carotene and flavonoids. Not just that, Moringa leaves are also fibre-rich and play an important role in reducing blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Recently there’s been an onslaught of moringa teas, supplements and powders appearing in health food stores as well as in some big supermarket chain stores. This fibrous vegetable comes from the ‘Tree of Life’, or more aptly known as Moringa Oleifera.
Conclusion:
So, These are the top 10 Superfoods we included in today's post. You should try to include them in your diet. There are many more superfoods yet to cover. We might Discuss them in a separate post someday.
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