Garam masala is a combination of spices that is mostly used in South Asian dishes. It has a very strong and aromatic flavor. It is a combination of warm, sweet, and spicy flavors.
The strong fragrance of Garam masala is because of roasted spices. When preparing this masala, whole spices are dry roasted then converted into powder form. As garam masala is a blend of spices, it is obvious that it has many health benefits.
There are lots of ingredients you can use to prepare garam masala. Commonly the masala includes black pepper, cardamom whole, cinnamon stick, clove whole, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and nutmeg powder.
All of these spices are dry roasted until they release an aroma on medium-low flame. After they cool, the spies are blend into powder form. You can store it in an air-tight jar and use it for six months. Then, you can prepare garam masala depending upon the amount you use per week.
Health benefits of garam masala
If you do not include the masala in your diet, you would want to include it in your diet after knowing the benefits.
1. Improve digestion
It stimulates appetite and boosts digestion. This is the one of the important reasons you need to add garam masala in your food if you have digestive issues. Cumin is the main ingredient in the garam masala that helps indigestion. And black pepper also has a role in stimulating digestive enzymes to some extent.
If you just eat plain food and suffer from bad digestion, you may try changing the diet by including masala in your food.
2. Maintain blood pressure level
Cardamom has a promising role in lower blood pressure levels. If your blood pressure level is high, you can increase the amount of cardamom while making the masala. However, that doesn’t mean you can use a lot of garam masala at one. Using this masala more than required will hamper the taste of the food.
If you are not used to consuming the masala, start with mild consumption. And if you really want to lower your blood pressure level by adding this masala to your food and under medication, you may talk to your doctor.
3. Boost heart health
It is a rich source of anti-oxidant and is the reason why it helps in improving heart health. People who consume garam masala regularly are less likely to have heart-related diseases. And garam masala can also decrease the chances of heart attack and prevent stroke.
If you are serious about boosting heart health, you can take masala tea. Consuming the masala tea regularly can restore heart health. But make sure to consult your doctor. It’s always better to consult a doctor before you make changes in your diet.
4. Enhance immunity
It is known to improve immunity. In addition, spices used to prepare garam masala to increase the body’s temperature and are the reason they protect your body from cough and cold. Adding this masala to your daily food will also help in circulating oxygen in the body, which is beneficial in removing toxic from the body.
If your immunity system is weak, you can regularly drink the masala water. You can try this if any medication is not working for you.
5. Fight oral bacteria
As clove and cardamom are present in garam masala, it helps in fighting bad breath. Consuming garam masala might not help much in fighting bad breath. If you really want it to be helpful, you can add the masala in lukewarm water, swish the rinse around your mouth, and spit it out.
If you are tired of bad health, you can try using garam masala water. Try this method every morning and every night.
6. Enhance nutrient absorption
Yes, it does. Simply spicing up your meal can enhance nutrient absorption. This can be a huge benefit. So, do include the masala in the food. If you think your body is not absorbing nutrients, you can try drink garam masala water.
If you don’t like drinking the masala water, you can just increase the amount of spices in your dishes. This can also help you in enhancing nutrient absorption.
7. Lower risk of cancer
Consuming the masala doesn’t cure cancer. But, to some extent, it can help in minimizing cancer. So if you are a cancer patient, you are surely under medication. So, if you are willing to add the masala to the diet, you should consult your doctor.