blood glucose levels in the body and control diabetes. Ø Spices reduce cholesterol levels and useful in preventing heart diseases. Ø Spices act as preservatives, thus prolongs the shelf life of foods. .
. Nutritional Value of Spices Spices are usually used in small quantities to flavour a dish. They add few calories to meal and cause a less impact on the nutritive value of foods. Spices add calories to food in negligible amount, even though many spices made from seeds contain high portions of fat, protein and carbohydrate when used in larger quantities.
- - Spices, food additives and food adulteration S.No. Name of the Spices Tamil name Parts which is been used Functional/Medicinal uses . All spice - Seeds Flavouring agent in cakes, breads and cookies. .
Asafoetida Perunkayam Resin from the tree Helps in digestion, has Anti flatulence properties, good for bronchitis and whooping cough. . Bay leaves Brinji ilai Dried leaves from bay tree Flavouring agent in curry and rice preparation. .
Cardamom Elakkai Fruit pod Helps in removing fat, cure for skin and urinary problems. . Red chilli Kaindha milagai Seeds/Fruit Rich in vitamin-A, used for spicy dishes . Green Chilli Paccha milagai Fruit from plant Rich in vitamin-A, used as flavouring agent in curries .
Fenugreek seeds Vendhayam Seeds from fenugreek plant Used to reduce blood sugar level carminative, and relieves anorexia. . Garlic Poondu Bulb from garlic plant Helps in digestion, appetizer and stimulant. It has an antibiotic factor Allin in it which prevents cancer.
. Ginger Inji Stem of the plant Helps in digestion, anthelmintic. Table . List of Indian Spices and its uses .
. List of Indian Spices and its uses - - Spices, food additives and food adulteration . Clove Krambu/ lavangam Flower buds Used as refrigerant, helps in digestion, stimulant, anti spasmodic, antibacterial. Relieves tooth ache.
. Cinnamon Pattai Bark of the tree It is diuretic, given as tonic, analgesic and anti- inflammatory. . Coriander Seed Dhaniya/ kothumali vidhai Seeds Used as flavouring and thickening agent.
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory. . Cumin seed Jeeragam Seed