5 cooking ingredients for better digestion, mental health, and actually protect your body from disease.
Fitness enthusiasts are always looking for ingredients to help jumpstart their fitness journeys. While chemical supplements are widely available on the market, the goodness of Ayurvedic ingredients often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Ayurveda is a centuries-old Indian medical practice. Its goal is to maintain health and well-being by balancing mind, body, and spirit, and it focuses more on prevention than treatment. To achieve this, a holistic approach is needed that encompasses nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments.
Ayurvedic herbs and spices play an important role in this approach. They are believed to provide a variety of health advantages, including better digestion and mental health, and actually protect your body from disease.
Here are 5 healthy ingredients for fitness enthusiasts shared by Dr. Kriti Soni, Director of R&D at Kapiva:
ashwagandha: Native to India, ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) is a small woody shrub. Its roots and berries are used to make a well-known Ayurvedic medicine. It is classified as an adaptogen, which means that it is believed to help your body deal with stress more effectively. Cortisol is a hormone that is created by the adrenal glands in response to stress, and studies have shown that ashwagandha lowers cortisol levels. Fitness enthusiasts can benefit from it to relieve stress, both physical and psychological. Ashwagandha can also improve muscle growth and blood sugar levels.
Shilajit: Shilajit is an ingredient that has been widely used in Ayurvedic medicinal practices to treat a wide range of ailments. It is abundant in minerals and contains an important compound known as fulvic acid. While exercising, fitness enthusiasts lose essential electrolytes that help regulate water balance, muscle contractions, nerve impulses, and metabolism through sweating. Shilajit is rich in certain mineral content, which has the ability to replace these electrolytes, thus maintaining physical performance and stamina.
Triphala: Triphala is an Ayurvedic cure made from the three medicinal fruits listed: Amla (Emblica Officinalis or Indian Gooseberry) Bibhitaki (Terminalia Bellirica) Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula) According to research, Triphala can decrease arthritic inflammation and prevent or slow the spread of various types of cancer . Additionally, Triphala is also beneficial for improving digestion and oral health. Fitness enthusiasts can greatly benefit from including Triphala in their diet, as it can promote overall health and wellness. It acts as a colon tonic and helps to strengthen and tone the tissues of the colon. As a result, it helps control weight.
Turmeric: Another highly prized Ayurvedic treatment is turmeric, which is the ingredient that gives curry its distinctive yellow color. Its main active ingredient, curcumin, is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Test-tube research suggests that it could be just as effective as other anti-inflammatory drugs, if not more so, and without any of its negative effects. Additionally, turmeric may help prevent heart disease in part by improving blood flow, just as effectively as exercise or other prescription medications.
Cardamom: (Elettaria cardamomum), known as the “queen of spices”, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times. According to research, people with high blood pressure may benefit from using cardamom powder to reduce it. There is evidence that inhalation of cardamom essential oil can improve the body’s ability to absorb oxygen during exercise. Ayurvedic studies suggest that adding cardamom can lower blood pressure, improve breathing, and heal stomach ulcers. However, a more human study is required before definitive conclusions can be drawn.
Ayurvedic herbs and spices have been an integral part of traditional Indian medicine for centuries. A growing amount of scientific evidence supports the many proposed health benefits, including protection against type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Therefore, adding small amounts of these ingredients can help flavor your meals and improve your health. That being said, large doses may not be right for everyone, so be sure to seek the advice of your healthcare provider before adding Ayurvedic supplements to your exercise regimen.
(IANS entries)
