Why Indians Prefer Pickle with their Food?

 

Why Indians Prefer Pickle with their Food?

 Well, pickles have carved a niche for themselves by adding a taste and flavor in the Indian Thali and in addition to that, they also have a vast array of ingredients such as chopped vegetables, fruits, vinegar, spices, and other Indian traditional herbs. There are different secret recipes of pickles and they pass these recipes through the generations to enjoy the health benefits of Indian pickles.

Pickling is one form of food preservation and in the ancient era where refrigeration was not the option, food preservation was the only way to preserve various foods. 

There is a wide range of Indian pickles available in the market and due to some key ingredients used in the making of the pickles, they also have some unparalleled health benefits too. In this post, we will discuss some of the health benefits of Indian pickles. 

Antioxidant properties 

One of the key health benefits of Indian pickles is antioxidant properties which are preserved in the unripe fruits and vegetables when stored fresh without cooking. Antioxidants are micronutrients in the body that help the body to fight against those free radicals produced by cellular metabolism. By consuming food with high antioxidants, you can save your body from the free radicals which damage the DNA by reacting with the cells. Pickles with shallow roots are a good source of antioxidants and you can buy them from the online Indian grocery store. 

Improves digestion 

Medical science has proved that probiotic bacteria are friendly bacteria that improve the digestion and also improves the metabolism rate of the body. When you consume antibiotic medicines, you might end up losing these friendly bacteria along with dangerous bacteria and by consuming Indian pickles daily, you can compensate for this loss with probiotic bacteria. However, you should only consume pickles without vinegar to get this benefit. Pickles with the fermented salt encourage the growth of probiotic bacteria and improve the digestion system.

Supply essential minerals and vitamins 

Most of the Indian pickles are made of various green leafy vegetables and herbs rich in minerals and vitamins such as coriander leaves, curry leaves, spinach, parsley, and amaranth. Eating these pickles daily can supply your essential vitamins and minerals daily dose. They contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and minerals such as iron, calcium, and potassium. The supply of these vitamins and minerals are very essential for the body to build immunity, strengthen bones and muscles, and fight against various diseases. 

Protect your liver 

Indian pickles made of Gooseberry and Amla have hepatoprotective properties that protect the liver from some harmful attacks. Experts recommend using these pickles on a daily basis to repair the damaged liver from these attacks and reduce its effects.

Improves insulin sensitivity 

If you are suffering from medical conditions such as blood sugar problems, adding vinegar-based pickles in your daily meals can help you. As per the American Diabetic Association, vinegar helps diabetic people in enhancing insulin sensitivity, especially after a heavy carbohydrate meal. The main reason for this is acetic acid present in vinegar.

Reduce ulcers

If you are suffering from stomach or gastric ulcer problems, you should definitely try Amla or Indian Gooseberry pickles that can reduce the ulcers. Most of the time, the causes of ulcers are hyperactivity and a weakening of mucous membranes and these Indian pickles are found helpful in reducing ulcers.

Caution 

Almost all pickles are high in salt as it adds to the taste and helps in preserving the pickle. Salt functions as an antimicrobial agent and keeps fungi, bacteria and yeast. If you are suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure, it is recommended that you avoid Indian pickles as it might increase your blood pressure and invite heart attacks or strokes. Also, most of the Indian pickles have a high amount of oil which might increase your cholesterol levels in the body. Hence, for high blood pressure patients, it is not recommended to consume pickles on a regular basis. However, they can consume them occasionally.

Conclusion:

Indian pickles have been part of Indian meals since ancient times and have some proven health benefits too. Consuming in a moderating amount can offer some superior health benefits.