The Comforting Curd
Gut health. Probiotics. Yogurt.
Oh so many fancy names. And for what? You named it right- our good old Indian Dahi- a must have for a meal in majority of the Indian households.
Curd is a traditional fermented milk product containing mixed strains of Lactobacillus bacteria and is replete with several nutrients- vitamins, minerals, organic and fatty acids, bio-active peptides to name a few. Conventionally, curd is prepared by adding a spoonful of a previously prepared curd, which then undergoes the fermentation process to give a soft but firm, creamy textured product. We shall discuss some of the most celebrated physiological functions of curd here- some of which, we may know from our traditional knowledge, and some that have made their way through science and technology.
Improved Digestion
Be it the traditional south Indian curd rice or the delectable Mishti Doi of West Bengal, Masala Chaas of Maharashtra or the famous Punjabi Lassi, some or the other form of curd marks the culmination of the Indian meal. Traditionally, eating curd at the end of a meal aids in digestion. This can be attributed to the several digestive enzymes present in the curd which improve the digestibility. The next time you have a heavy meal or a full lunch, don’t forget to leave some space for curd!
Hair and Skin Health
Have you ever tried the curd hair or face mask? Trust me, you won’t regret it. It is one of the most widely used natural hair and face treatment.
The organic acids present in the curd have anti-microbial activity which helps in addressing the ubiquitous problem of dandruff as well as skin acne, pigmentation or wrinkling. So the next time you want to pamper your hair, just make a hair mask out of curd and honey, apply it for 20–30 minutes and rinse with a mild shampoo for a conditioned and dandruff free hair! Similarly, you could make a face mask with curd and lemon juice. Apply it for 10–15 minutes and rinse it for a soft and supple skin.
Improves Immunity and Mood
Yes you heard it right! While so much of discussion is going around on immunity boosting in the current scenario, curd is one sure shot way to up our immunity, thanks to its bio-active peptides and B-vitamins like B-12. What more, curd can also improve our mood and make us more relaxed by reducing Cortisol levels in our body. Well I think it’s time we dump those synthetic mood enhancers and just switch to our good old ‘Dahi’. Just eat few spoonfuls of it with rice or made as buttermilk after a hectic day and let it do the magic.
Improved Heart Health
The organic and fatty acids along with certain other nutrients of curd have been studied to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thereby improving our cardiovascular health. Also, the Conjugated Linoleic acid (CLA), a natural trans-fat found in curd, is a well documented compound associated with weight loss. Now that’s just too many feathers to a cap, isn’t it!
Well, looks like our oh-so-traditional food are not-so-boring after all. With these many health benefits, curd is a sure winner! And what is healthier than a natural health supplement without even compromising on our daily diet! So what are you waiting for… grab that fancy yogurt or the home made Dahi or a Raita or the Lassi and simply tick off another food to your list of mindful and healthy eating!
7 Ways to include curd in our diet
1. Traditional home made Dahi
2. The spread of different varieties of Raitas- Boondi, Cucumber, Pineapple, Onion and many more
3. Shrikhand
4. Majjiga pulusu
5. Kadhi-pakode/ Kadhi chawal
6. Lassi/Buttermilk
7. Plain or fruit flavored Yogurt/ Mishti Doi
Ha…and the week is sorted!