| Chicken | | | | While many people associate spices with the strong |
| Chicken is an excellent source of protein and contains | | | | flavours of Indian food, they forget that like all |
| less fat than most meats, especially the breast which | | | | foodstuffs they can provide important nutritional value. |
| contains half the fat of a steak. Chicken is a good | | | | For example both Ginger and turmeric appear to have |
| source of niacin, which possesses cancer fighting | | | | an anti-inflammatory effect making them suitable for |
| properties as well as the trace mineral selenium. | | | | the treatment of arthritis. Unsurprisingly ginger does |
| It is also a good source of vitamin B6, which in | | | | contain chemicals similar to those found in conventional |
| conjunction with niacin, is good for energy production | | | | anti-inflammatory medications, although it also acts to |
| by helping the body's conversion of proteins, fats, and | | | | thin the blood, while turmeric seems to suppress the |
| carbohydrates into usable energy, as well as good | | | | chemicals responsible for causing inflammation. |
| cardiovascular health. | | | | Cinnamon has also been identified as being important in |
| Onion and garlic | | | | the inflammatory response and a small amount taken |
| Onion and garlic are frequently used in curry recipes | | | | every day will help lower the risk of factors leading to |
| and both have protective effects - onion has been | | | | type 2 diabetes and heart disease by as much as 10 |
| shown to protect against stomach and colon cancers | | | | to 30 percent, although the jury is still out on cinnamon's |
| for instance and garlic is well known for its anti-fungal | | | | anti-bacterial properties. |
| and antibiotic properties. When cooked it is less | | | | As well as its anti-inflammatory properties, one |
| powerful, but supposedly is good for the | | | | component of ginger, known as gingerol, has been |
| cardiovascular system. | | | | shown to reduce the effects of nausea, vomiting, and |
| Onion has also been used for centuries to treat | | | | motion sickness as well as possessing cancer-fighting |
| coughs, colds and asthma as well as angina, bacterial | | | | attributes. |
| infections, and breathing problems, while The World | | | | And cayenne pepper, responsible for much of the heat |
| Health Organization recommends the use of onions for | | | | of a curry, has been used for centuries for its |
| the treatment of poor appetite and to prevent | | | | medicinal properties too - it seems to reduce the |
| arteriosclerosis. | | | | incidence of cardiovascular disease and may be useful |
| Spices | | | | as an analgesic too. |