Curry leaves are big on flavour and benefits! Here's how to add them to your diet

We often use curry leaves aka kadi patta in Indian kitchens. They lend an amazing aroma and flavour to the food. But little do people know that these leaves are so big on benefits that they are also used for its medicinal properties. These small, green leaves are frequently used in south Indian food like sambhar, rasam, chutney, etc., or used as a seasoning. Come, let us know how else we can use curry leaves in cooking.

How to add curry leaves to your diet

Nutritionist Rashi Chahal shared the benefits of curry leaves and three ways to add them to your diet, via an Instagram post. Let’s find out her suggestions:

1. Add to dal tadka

The most popular comfort Indian dish is dal tadka. It’s an excellent vegetarian protein source with a delicious taste. The addition of curry leaves to dal tadka improves the flavour of your dal and adds more nutrition to it.

2. Use in green smoothies

Green smoothie is very refreshing as it is made with fresh spinach or kale leaves, frozen mango chunks, bananas, coconut milk, and a little orange juice. Adding some curry leaves to it is the best option as it makes the smoothie healthy and its mild taste doesn’t affect the smoothie’s essence. It is best for the kids as they can get all the nutrients of curry leaves in the form of a smoothie.

buttermilk with curry leaf
Add the curry leaf flavour to your glass of buttermilk! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

3. Grind and add it to the buttermilk

You must have tried the classic Indian drink, buttermilk or what we popularly called chaas. But what if we add some curry leaves to it? It would definitely enhance its taste. Firstly, add curry leaves, salt, black pepper powder and green chilli and grind them all, then add the buttermilk to it and mix them well. Your curry leaves buttermilk is ready!

What are the health benefits of curry leaves

1. Good nutritional value

Did you know that 100 grams of curry leaf contain 108 calories of energy? Curry leaves are also a powerhouse of essential nutrients such as vitamins A, B and C. Consuming curry leaves helps to fight a lot of medical problems and maintain good health.

2. Helps to lose weight

Want to use curry leaves for weight loss? Drinking curry leaves tea every day on an empty stomach for at least a month can help you lose weight. Alternatively, you could consume 10-15 raw leaves in the morning, followed by a glass of warm water.

Curry leaf can help in weight loss
Curry leaf can help in weight loss! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

3. Reduces risk of cancer

Curry leaves can defend our body against various cancers. It contains flavonoids that have anti-cancer properties.

4. Helpful for those with diabetes

Curry leaves have a lot of fibre. It has been discovered that diets high in fibre are advantageous for diabetics. They may aid in reducing the rate at which the body absorbs sugar, hence regulating blood sugar levels. So yes, curry leaves are diabetes-friendly too!

5. Helps to cure stomach problems

Diarrhoea and constipation can be effectively treated with curry leaves. Curry leaves have alkaloids called carbazoles that aid in controlling diarrhoea. Curry leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.

6. Good for skin and hair

Curry leaves can be applied to treat burns, rashes, insect bites and injuries. You can apply it to your skin as the strong antioxidant and vitamin C concentration also keeps the skin elastic and young-looking. It is also good for hair and is known for being helpful for those fighting hair loss.

Curry leaf oil for hair
Use this oil for better hair volume. Image Courtesy: Shutterstock

The last word

Also, since we all know that excess of anything can be hazardous, be careful about over-consumption of curry leaves. It may end up causing digestive issues, including burning sensations in stomach. So, don’t consume them in excess.