In many Indian households, meals are incomplete without condiments like chutney. As such, from east to west and north to south, people consume a variety of chutneys in a myriad of flavors including sweet, sour, tangy, and spicy. But did you know that condiments, which are best known to enhance the flavor of food, actually provide a lot of health benefits, too?
Lovneet Batra, a nutritionist, also highlighted the importance and role of condiments in our diets in an Instagram post. “Adding condiments to your meals is a great way to enhance flavor and potentially provide health benefits too,” she wrote, adding that sauces and other condiments available in the market are not really healthy.
“I am always against the use of sauces because the store-bought, packaged item is laced with fat, sugar and salt which can lead to side effects like obesity, inflammation and acidity when consumed excessively,” she wrote further, suggesting swap ketchup with mint chutney, a ‘healthy’ alternative which adds both flavor and benefits.
As such, she even shares the benefits of the mint chutney, which can be made with a few ingredients such as fresh mint leaves, coriander leavesginger and garlic.
*Helps relieve indigestion: Mint (pudina) is loaded with phytonutrients and antioxidants that are found to work wonders for digestion. Menthol present in this herb activates the secretion of bile salts and acids into the digestive tract. It also acts on the smooth muscles of the stomach and aids in reducing the gas caused due to indigestion.
*Mitigates skin problems: Mint leaves contain high levels of salicylic acidknown to combat acne and blemishes
*Relieves menstrual water retention: Due to its diuretic activity, mint leaves help relieve fluid retention, plus the anti-inflammatory properties of mint help reduce any inflammation in your stomach.
*Shows anti-gout effect: Mint extracts inhibit xanthine oxidase, an enzyme involved in the formation of uric acid, as well as in generating oxidative stress that contributes to the pathophysiology of the disease.
Preety Tyagi, Health Coach, Founder of MY22BMI shared that both coriander and mint leaves are known to aid digestion. “They help in improving the gut function which, in turn, improves the overall functioning of the body,” said Tyagi.
What else?
It helps in boosting one’s immune system
The chutney contains lime juice or amla, or green mango, which are all great excellent sources of vitamin C and help in boosting our immune system.
Eliminates inflammation
This chutney helps eliminate inflammation in the body and leaves the body feeling much healthier and stronger within.
Relieves nausea
Mint leaves help in relieving nausea and reduce the feeling of heartburn. “The greens used in this chutney are excellent in promoting oral health and relieving issues of bad breath,” said Tyagi.
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