Cinnamon (Dalchini)

Article on Cinnamon (Dalchini) by
Gandhali Gode
Consulting Nutritionist and Dietician, Pallavi's Spices

Cinnamon is one of the key ingredients of spices (masala) and has a long history both as a spice and as a medicine. It is the brown bark of the cinnamon tree, which is available in its dried tubular form known as a quill or as ground powder.  It is also used in Sāmbhar Powder or Bisibelebath powder in Karnataka which gives them a rich aroma & unique taste. Cinnamon is a good source of carbohydrates, sugar, soluble and insoluble fiber, sodium, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and more.

Cinnamon is a natural food preservative

Daily use of Cinnamon helps in regulating: 

Helps in regulating blood sugar levels:
Making it a great choice for diabetics and hypoglycemic alike

Cholesterol friendly:
By reducing LDL levels (LDL is also known as the harmful cholesterol)l. it may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Useful in arthritis:
Cinnamon has been shown in studies at the Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Korean Hospital, to reduce cytokines linked to arthritic pain.

Menstruation: 
Cinnamon contains a natural chemical called cinnamaldehyde, the scientific research shows that it increases the hormone progesterone and decreases testosterone production in women, helping to balance hormones.

Holds promise for various neurodegenerative diseases:
According to research at the Cytokine Research Laboratory  (Department of Experimental Therapeutics, and The University of Texas), Cinnamon holds promise for various neurodegenerative diseases viz. Alzheimer, Parkinson, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor and meningitis.  Their research shows that cinnamon reduces chronic inflammation linked with these neurological disorders.

Calcium and Fiber improves colon health and protect against heart disease:
In addition to its unique essential oils, cinnamon is an excellent source of fiber and the trace mineral manganese while also a very good source of calcium. The combination of calcium and fiber in cinnamon is important and can be helpful for the prevention of several different conditions. Both calcium and fiber can bind to bile salts and help remove them from the body. By removing bile, fiber helps to prevent the damage that certain bile salts can cause to colon cells, thereby reducing the risk of colon cancer. In addition, when bile is removed by fiber, the body must break down cholesterol in order to make new bile. This process can help to lower high cholesterol levels, which can be helpful in preventing atherosclerosis and heart disease. For sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome, the fiber in cinnamon may also provide relief from constipation or diarrhea.

Mouth freshener:
Cinnamon is often used in chewing gums, as it is a good mouth freshener and removes bad breath.

Perfumes:
It has a refreshing aroma and is extensively used in perfume-making.

Indigestion:
Cinnamon is added in many ethnic recipes. Apart from adding flavor to the food, it also aids in digestion. Cinnamon is very effective for indigestion, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea and flatulence. Due to its carminative properties, it is very helpful in eliminating excess gas from the stomach and intestines. It also removes acidity, combats diarrhea and reduces the effects of morning sickness. Cinnamon is therefore often referred to as a digestive tonic.

Respiratory problems:
Cinnamon helps in relieving the symptoms of colds, influenza, sore throat and congestion.

Some more benefits

Cinnamon is anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-depressant, anti-infectious, anti-parasitic, anti-spasmodic and antioxidant ranked only after clove.

Cinnamon is also an immune stimulant, an astringent, and a sexual stimulant

Cinnamon was so revered in Ancient China that it was always used at the first sign of illness.

It was practically added to most medicines due to its ability to strengthen the effectiveness of other herbs in the tonics and teas.

Cinnamon is one of the best warming herbs; heating your body from the core to your cold organs, then moving outward to warm the skin all while it disperses energy blockage found in the chest, shoulder, and neck.

It is especially good for weak kidneys, backache, and lack of sex drive

Caution:

Even though tests are yet to confirm a virus, bacteria, or fungus that can survive in cinnamon oil, use Cinnamon oil with extreme caution as it may irritate nasal passages, mucus membranes, and can cause skin irritation.  You’ll need to dilute it with coconut or any other oil in proportion of at least 1:3

Recipe of a स्प्रिंग रोल

स्प्रिंग  रोल

 

सामग्री:
स्टस्फिंग के लिये:
१ कप फ्रेंच बीन्स, गाजर, पत्तागोबी, २-३ दांडी कटी हुई हरी प्याज, १ शिमला मिर्च, २ चुटकी अजिनोमोटो, १ टेबल स्पून चिली सौंस, १ टी-स्पून सोय सौंस, २ टेबल स्पून तेल, नमक स्वादानुसार

 

पैनकेक के लिये:
१ कप मैदा, अध कप दुध, १ टेबल स्पून तेल, नमक स्वादानुसार

 

पेस्ट के लिये:
अध कप मैदा और पानी मिलकर पेस्ट बना ले. 

विधी:
स्टफिंग तैयार करणे के लिये सभी सब्जियों को लंबी पतली स्लाईसेस में कट लें। पैन में तेल गरम करने के बाद उसमें हरी प्याज डालके भुनलो। उसके बाद सभी सब्जियां, नमक और अजिनोमोटो डालकर ३-४ मिनट तक पकाएं। अब चिली सौस और सोया डालकर अच्छी तरेह मिलाये और ठंडा होने के लिए अलग रख दे। पैनकेक की सभी सामग्री को मिलकर गुंध ले और पैनकेक बना ले. फिर उसमें स्टफिंग की सामग्री भरकर पेस्ट से किनारे बंद करके डीप फ़्राय करें। आपका रोल तैयार होने के बाद उसे कट करके गरमा गरम परोसे।

Junk food consumption by today’s young generation

On the occasion of August 12, celebrated as International Youth Day, we felt the need to provide an important insight to today’s young generation about ‘Junk Food’.

In today’s times the expectations and demands to be processed by today’s young generation are extremely fast almost as it happens with click on a mouse. Unfortunately, most of us follow this with our food habits as well; which have drastically changed over the past few decades.

Due to various reasons such as professional commitments, multi tasking, time restrictions, staying away from parents, laziness, fatigue and many other factors the eating habits have changed, people prefer junk food / outside food which only satiates the immediate need of the hungry stomach. However, the long term effects of such food are indeed harmful to our body which may lead to; Obesity, Heart diseases, Blood Pressure, Kidney problems and Blood Sugar imbalance.

The current lifestyle, especially of young IT people or those who spend average 8-10 hrs glued to a computer in the AC environs of an office, stressed with the work load is challenging if one is not regular with exercise. Coupled with these, junk food and carbonated drinks causes more harm to their body.

What exactly is then Junk Food?
Processed foods that have no nutritional values and need little or no preparation are known as junk foods. They are normally available as packaged snacks. For years, junk food, with their attractive colors, tickle the taste buds, and are irresistible to the young and old alike, with their wonderful array of varieties and flavour. This food however filled with empty calories and zero nutritional value offers next to nothing in terms of health benefits with absolutely no value for money. Due to changes in the lifestyle, eating junk food has now become a habit almost an addiction, (if allowed to exaggerate a bit) leading to childhood obesity and hordes of other dietary problems, which are bothering the entire world. Many foods such as hamburgers, pizza, and tacos can be considered either healthy or junk food depending on their ingredients and preparation methods. Highly processed food items usually fall under the junk food category.

Different types of Junk Food:
It is impossible to eliminate the indulgence of junk food due to variety of reasons but we can resolve to minimize their intake and if possible avoid some which produce harmful effects on the body no matter how irresistible delicacies they are. Following delicacies fall under the junk food category:

Pizza
Burgers
Deep Fried Stuff
Breakfast Cereals (covered with unhealthy sugars)
Candies
Donuts
Carbonated Beverages
Pastries and Cakes (having trans fat, chocolate, sugar and eggs)
Ice creams (rich in sugar and fat)
Instant Noodles (covered with wax and lacking essential proteins, vitamins, fibre and minerals)

Effects of Junk Food:
1) Fast foods and junk foods are high in fat, sodium and sugar, which can lead to obesity and a range of attendant health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.
2) Feeling chronically fatigued and lack of energy one needs to complete daily tasks.
3) The high levels of sugar in junk food puts your metabolism under stress; when you eat refined sugar, your pancreas secretes high amounts of insulin to prevent a dangerous spike in blood sugar levels.
4) Your blood sugar levels will drop suddenly after eating, leaving you feeling grumpy, fatigued and craving sugar as these foods don't contain adequate amounts of proteins and good carbohydrates.
5) Due to large amounts of fat one can gain weight and become obese leading to further health complications like heart disease, arthritis and diabetes.
6) The high levels of trans-fatty acids found in many junk foods and fast foods can lead to fatty liver deposits, which, over time, can cause liver dysfunction and disease.
7) It can lead to mood swings and constipation, and lower your energy levels so that you lack interest in the exercise you need to burn off those extra calories.

Understand the nutritional values from the labels:
It is advisable to check the sodium, sugar, cholesterol and fiber content besides the amount of calories and fat in the product. Kindly read the label giving you the list of main ingredients which will determine if the food is laden with fat, salt and sugar beyond normal magnitude.

The concrete step:
Food is an essential element for our good health and plays a pivotal role for sustenance and over all well-being. One should as far as possible have regular home cooked food and keep aside the penchant to hog on junk food periodically/everyday which have high levels of calories from salt, sugar and saturated fats containing insufficient vitamins, minerals, amino acids and proteins. Do not waste your important enzymes meant for other metabolic functioning in converting these junk food into energy.

Eat Nutritious. Stay Healthy. Please do not waste food too.

Spicelicious tips from Pallavi's Spices_August 06_2013

Do not hold any spice powder packets directly on the dish while cooking as the hot vapors may get into the packet and spoil the powder for its use over a period of time. It is advisable to take the required amount of spice powder/masala on a spoon and then add it to the dish.

To cook potatoes faster cut them into halves and add pinch of turmeric to it. Likewise for Toor Dal, an addition of an oil drop with turmeric powder will help it cook faster.

If you're cooking for some important occasion or a person, never try a new recipe and a new ingredient at the same time. New attempts are best suited within your own family or on a normal day.

'Black Pepper' and it's health benefits

‘Spices’or ‘Masala’ the very word reminds us of various culinary delicacies which are tempting always. In India, atleast, no one can imagine food without addition of spices even though they might be in small proportions. While buying grounded spices (mixed and ready spices) make sure you go for the best. Pallavi’s Spices, home -made & traditional spices like Garam Masala, Goda (Kala) Masala, Gavran Maratha Masala, Chilly Milly Masala etc. are manufactured with numerous best quality ingredients with a right mix of various spices for that healthy meals  with unique taste and aroma. These ingredients used in spices play a vital role in increasing our immune system & also help to keep our body healthy.  We will understand the role of various spices used and to start with let’s take ‘Black Pepper’ first.

Black Pepper:

The scientific name is “Piper nigrum.” In Marathi it is known by “Mire.” These are hot in taste. Black Pepper plants (Creepers) are mostly found in Southern India, in Kerala & also very rarely in Konkan region. These pepper plants have peppercorns which later are used as ‘Pepper’ after drying for long time. When it’s shell is broken we get ‘White Pepper’. While both types of pepper are widely used in cooking they have different properties. Black pepper is widely preferred and is also used as a medicine. 

Health benefits of 'Black Pepper'

• Helps with digestion
• Prevents gases
• Promotes sweating and urination
• Helps lose weight
• Promotes healthy skin
• Gives relief from cough and colds
• Antibacterial
• Keeps arteries clean
• Great Antioxidant
• Good for hearnia and insect bites
• Treats respiratory conditions (like asthama)
• Treats tooth decay and toothache                                                                                                                                                  

§  Improve Digestion and Promote Intestinal Health:

Black pepper stimulates the taste buds in such a way that an alert is sent to the stomach to increase hydrochloric acid secretion, thereby improving digestion. Hydrochloric acid is necessary for the digestion of proteins and other food components in the stomach. When the body's production of hydrochloric acid is insufficient, food may sit in the stomach (does not digest in a proper way) for an extended period of time, leads to heartburn or indigestion, or it may pass into the intestines, where it can be used as a food source for unfriendly gut bacteria, which produces gas, irritation, and/or diarrhea or constipation.

Black pepper has demonstrated impressive antioxidant and antibacterial effects--yet another way in which this wonderful seasoning promotes the health of the digestive tract.

§  Black Pepper and Anorexia :

For people who suffer from mild Anorexia, Black Pepper can also help them regain their appetite because it stimulates their taste buds.

§  Black Pepper and Congestion :

Are you suffering from a chest cold? Add Black Pepper to your diet, and this spice will help break-up the congestion, especially if you add it to a strong, steaming hot cup of mint tea.

§  Black Pepper and Healing Cuts :

Another amazing health benefit of Black Pepper is that it's a handy spice to have in the kitchen when you cut yourself. The next time you have a minor cut, sprinkle Black Pepper on it. It will help stop the bleeding. Plus, its antibacterial properties will promote healing and kill germs.

Black peppercorns contain a good amount of minerals like potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, Iron is essential for cellular respiration and blood cell production.

They are also an excellent source of many vital B-complex groups of vitamins such as Pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin and niacin, which helps in maintaining the functions of skin, eyes & nervous system & also take part in various bio-chemical reactions takes place in the body.

Peppercorns are a good source of many anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-C and vitamin-A. These compounds help the body to remove harmful free radicals and help protect from cancers and diseases.

The black pepper is the vital element used in the spices and serves lots of nutritional values to your health. Next week we will brief our spicezens about the important features of Cinnamon (Dalchini). 

This article on Black Pepper was prepared by Ms. Gandhali Gode, Consulting Nutritionist and Dietician, Pallavi's Spices