Curry and Weight Loss
There is plenty of reliable evidence pointing to the health properties of curry. The evidence for curry being helpful in weight loss, in particular, is more recent. But there are some compelling findings. To understand how curry can help the weight conscious requires an understanding of what this variety of spices really is, how it affects our systems, and what researchers have concluded.
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Curry Combination
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Curry is not a single spice, but a variety of spices that varies from region to region and cook to cook. Common spices used in curry are turmeric, cumin, coriander, funagreek and red pepper. Curry is commonly found in Asian dishes, especially South Asian cuisine, but it has found a home in Europe and the United States as well.
Weight Loss Benefits
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In addition to its flavor, the health benefits of curry appear to range from preventing type 2 diabetes to helping weight-conscious eaters feel full more quickly.
A Netherlands study tested the results of curry and other spices and herbal teas on rats. They found these ingredients helped the rats lose weight. Human tests have also led researchers to conclude the benefits of such spices and herbs, but the exact ingredient or ingredients in the consumables that caused the results is still to be studied.
The bottom line is that there is a strong indication that the spices and teas found in Indian cuisine can help overweight people lose fat.
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Exploring the Spices
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Curcumin is the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant ingredient in turmeric. And turmeric, remember, is a spice found in many curries, especially Indian varieties. It is this spice that gives curry its characteristic bright yellow color. In the Netherlands study, curcumin was found to lessen insulin resistance and prevent type 2 diabetes in mice. Curcumin reduced the inflammatory response provoked by obesity in those mice.
And curcumin intake directly contributed to a small but significant reduction in the mice's body weight--and more importantly--fat ratio. Even more interesting is that this reduction was seen in mice that had both level caloric intake and increased calories. Researchers say this may point to curry positively influencing human body composition.
Other Benefits
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Researchers also noted that the curcumin mice had less blood vessel growth, specifically in fat tissue. The animals also benefited from lower glucose levels in their blood, and lower triglycerides, cholesterol and liver fat levels.
Additionally, spices like curry and others found in Indian cuisine stimulate metabolism and accelerate thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is the process of our body fat producing body heat. This is the same process that occurs when we exercise.
A Little Curry
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Natural spices that include curry have been found to help diners feel full more quickly. This means we are satisfied by eating less. And spices such as curry (and other Indian spices) are generally accepted as helping aid in digestion.
Healthy Lifestyle
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Of course, eating curry or any other spice or food is not an adequate weight loss plan in and of itself. Lifestyle changes involving diet and exercise will be required.
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