What Is Curry?
Before we delve into its health benefits, let’s take a look at what curry is, exactly.
Curry is a mixture of spices that include turmeric, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, mustard seed, cumin, pepper, and more.
However, more than a single ingredient, the word “curry” has come to signify a vast food culture appreciated all around the world.
While typically associated with India, curry is the result of a long cultural cross-pollination process between India, Southwest Asia and Europe. Archeologists believe that the origins of curry may stretch back as far as 4,500 years, what would make curry “the oldest continuously prepared cuisine on the planet.”
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Turmeric, the ingredient that gives curry its characteristic color, contains curcumin, a compound well known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Curcumin acts by blocking inflammatory chemicals in the body, and has shown potential to help alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Antioxidant Properties
Curry contains a host of antioxidants, including quercetin, pinene, lutein, and the aforementioned curcumin.
Antioxidant are important because they protect against the effect of reactive molecules called free radicals, which cause oxidative stress, a phenomenon associated with many chronic conditions.
Contributes to Brain Health
Among its many potential benefits, curcumin may also help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
In fact, research indicates that curcumin may help promote the birth of new brain cells as well as foster new connections between them, two properties that may be a game changer for mental health.
Furthermore, curcumin also contributes to mental health by boosting serotonin and dopamine, two mood-boosting neurotransmitters.
Finally, studies have also suggested that curcumin may have cancer-fighting properties, although more research in humans is needed to confirm it.
More Interesting Food Facts
At Chef Gourmet we know good food, and part of our mission is sharing that knowledge with you. For example. these are some previous posts packed with interesting culinary facts.
- Are potatoes good for you?
- How to make marinara sauce: 3 delicious tips
- How chicken became a global food
- Why is it important to eat vegetables?
- How Tomatoes Conquered the World
- Soba Noodles: Everything You Need to Know
Try Our Grilled Chicken Curry!
At Chef Gourmet, we are big fans of curry, so much so that have included Grilled Chicken Curry among our Gourmet prepared meals.
We work with local suppliers we know and trust. Thanks to this philosophy, we can support our communities while offering you dishes made with the freshest ingredients.
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