Healthy Flavors

Fine Indian cuisine is not only flavorful, but has many potential health benefits.  While it would be impossible to say that Indian food, using high quality ingredients prepared properly, has medicinal benefit, it does share many of the herbs and spices used commonly in Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurvedic medicine is one of the oldest medical systems in the world, originating in India, and pre-dating written language, with many of its original practices handed down through oral tradition.  Ayurvedic medicine is a holistic system, with a goal of aligning the mind, body and spirit, and relies on exercise, massage, meditation and diet to improve one’s health.  The term Ayurveda is derived from two Sanskrit words: “ayur” meaning “life” and “veda” meaning “science” or “knowledge; together Ayurveda means the “science of life.”  The goal of Ayurvedic medicine is to align the body’s constitution (“prakriti”) and three life forces (“doshas”) each aligned with 2 essential elements: ether, air, fire, water and earth.  The three doshas are the Vata Dosha, aligned with ether and air and controlling essential body functions, such as the heart, mind and breathing; the Pitta Dosha, aligned with fire and water controlling hormones and the digestive system; and the Kapha Dosha, aligned with water and earth and controlling strength, immunity and growth.

Ayurvedic medicine is practiced throughout India and the world, and is considered by the National Institutes of Health as a Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).  While there is much to this holistic system of medicine, a cornerstone is the use of natural ingredients to help balance the doshas.  The interesting thing about these natural ingredients – including vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, seeds, oils, herbs, dairy and animal products – is that these ingredients also form the basis, when properly prepared, of fine Indian cuisine.  Such ingredients as garlic, cooked onions, tomatoes, eggplant, spinach, peppers, rice, lentils, chick peas (garbanzo beans), cheese, yoghurt, seafood, duck, chicken, venison, chili pepper, chutney, cardamom, cayenne, cinammon, coriander, cumin and turmeric are the basis for Indian dishes; since we prepare everything fresh and from scratch, not only is our food of the highest quality, but the freshness of the ingredients enhances these natural holistic healing effects.

While we cannot of course claim or substantiate any medical benefit of Indian food, there is a growing body of evidence that supports the natural healing properties of the ingredients upon which these dishes are based.  Triphala, an Indian herb which translates loosely to “three fruits” is an antioxidant that helps the digestive tract.  Turmeric, a yellow-brown spice, is also a strong antioxidant and preservative, and recent research shows that curcumin, the principle phytochemical compound in Turmeric, has powerful antioxidant properties which fight free radical damage, reduces cell inflammation, and prevents the oxidation of cholesterol.

One final note: those suffering from Celiac Disease, also called Celiac Sprue – a sensitivity to wheat (gluten) – require a gluten-free diet.  While some of the appetizers and bread we serve may contain gluten (ask your waitstaff for information), it is worth noting that all of our diverse and delicious entrees are gluten-free. Our fine Indian cuisine is therefore a tasty and exotic alternative for those following a gluten-free diet.

The holistic health benefits of the ingredients from which we craft our wonderful, flavorful recipes have been known for thousands of years, embodied in the practice of Ayurvedic medicine – a form of holistic medicine recognized by the National Institutes of Health.  The beneficial health effects of our fresh ingredients are becoming better understood through research even as there is a growing awareness in our society that there are alternatives to the clinical, pharmacological approach to health practiced by traditional medicine.

Fine Indian cuisine is not only delicious,  exotic and diverse; it is also rich in beneficial natural ingredients that provide a host of healthy benefits.  To borrow from a well known marketing campaign: “Fine Indian cuisine – it’s not just good; it’s good for you!”

Sources:

“Ayurvedic Medicine: An Introduction,” NCCAM, National Institutes of Health

“Food Guidelines for Basic Constitutional Types,” The Ayurvedic Institute

“Ayurvedic Spices: Turmeric,” Ayurbalance

“Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity,” Carol E. Semrad, M.D.

Tags: ayurvedic medicine, celiac, celiac disease, Denver Best Indian Food, Fine Cuisine, Fine Dining, gluten-free, health benefits, healthy, holistic medicine, Indian Food, LoDo, Restaurant