Ginger and Spice and Everything Nice

Thinking about eating out tonight? Consider heading to an Indian restaurant for hara bhara kabab and chicken masala. Mounting evidence suggests that the spices commonly used in East Indian food are as healthy as they are flavorful. These spices are easy to use and turn ordinary combinations of foods into extraordinary dishes. So, wrap your sari and tune into the sitar for flavors that might harmonize your health.

For centuries, Indian culture has made the connection between food and health. For instance, Ayurvedic medicine has long touted the healing properties of herbs, roots and spices. This ancient healing method of India emphasizes the importance of balance in one’s life and the interdependencies of the body, mind and spirit. A key component of this belief system is the relationships between food and health.

Although this will come as no surprise to India, there is a growing number of studies that suggest a relationship between improved health and herbs, spices and roots. But keep in mind, however promising these results, the health benefits of these flavoring agents have yet to be proved. The amount of spice needed for health impacts is another issue as one teaspoon of cinnamon per day--the effective dose in one study--is more than most people could consume. In short, we need to conduct multiple studies with large numbers of people over an extended period of time. In the meantime, here is some food for thought:

Again, we need to learn more about the potential healing properties of these and other herbs. However, get a head start on the science or at least satisfy your culinary curiosity by trying delicious source for these flavors—East Indian cuisine.

Learn more by checking out these Web sites:

• Indian Food Spice and Herb Guide
• National Center on Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Read More on MSN Health & Fitness:

• Ginger: An Ovarian Cancer Killer
• Cold, Hard Facts
• Go Go Garlic!

Find all articles by Keecha.

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Keecha Harris is President of Harris and Associates, a food systems and public health consulting firm based in Birmingham, Ala. (Read her full bio.)