Major areas of study (META): Garam masala, a group of spices used on daily basis in the Indian kitchen, is popular for its flavor and potential to maintain cardiac health.
Spices were some of the most valuable items of trade in the ancient and medieval world. Herbalist and folk practitioners have used plant remedies for centuries. In the current set-up, the anti-proliferative, anti- hypercholesterolemic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory effects of spices have overriding importance, as the global prevalence of diseases like diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases, arthritis and cancer is increasing day by day.
Spices or their active compounds could be used as possible ameliorative or preventive agents for these health disorders. Spices are rich in antioxidants, and scientific studies suggest that they are also potent inhibitors of tissue damage and inflammation caused by high levels of blood sugar and circulating lipids.
Because spices like red pepper etc have very low-calorie content and are relatively inexpensive, they are reliable sources of antioxidants and other potential bioactive compounds in diet. Garam masala is a group of spices having health benefits which is used on daily basis in Indian kitchen. But as per the diversity of culture and tradition of India is concerned, spices used, their number and quantity in the name of Garam masala are different in different geographical regions of India.
There is a need to study Garam masala in perspective of spices used, their number and quantity in different regions of the country. Survey study was done in Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Delhi which are the major cities of the north India. This Survey based review outlines the role of spices used in the Indian kitchen by the name of Garam masala for its flavour and taste which have potential to maintain a cardiac health.
Sarvade Dattatray, Bhingardive Kamini, Manjula, Jaiswal Mohanlal. Garam masala (mixture of spices) for cardiac health: An overview. Joinsysmed 2016, vol 4(4), pp 211 222.
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