The nation's favourite dish is much more than a post-pub beer sponge. The seasoning used in curries offers health benefits by the bucket load, adding no extra calories in the process. Whether you want to sharpen your brainpower, recover quicker after Saturday's match, improve your cardiovascular endurance or slash your risk of heart attack, there's a spice that's right for the job. So start loading up on nature's multivitamins.
1. Cardamom: Aid digestion
Help your body deal with that curry at optimum efficiency: its essential oils stimulate the digestive system, while compounds in the spice can reduce bloating and stomach cramps.
2. Cinnamon: Increase energy
Just a half teaspoon a day can help improve your insulin sensitivity, reducing dips in energy. Recent studies also show it can ramp up sugar metabolism nearly 20-fold.
3. Fennel: Boost endurance
The seeds are rich in quercetin, a nutrient proven to boost your aerobic capacity, even without exercise. They also have strong antioxidant properties, to bolster your immune system.
4. Coriander: Beat cancer
These aromatic seeds have been found to decrease levels of toxicity in the colon, slashing your cancer risk. They also contain a chemical called dodecenal an antibiotic that has been trialled as a cure for salmonella poisoning.
5. Star anise: Lift her libido
Its oestrogen compounds fire-up the female sex drive, and the liquorice aroma has been proven to stimulate arousal. Anise can also be used as a natural breath freshener.
6. Fenugreek: Cut cholesterol
These seeds heal your heart. In clinical trials, people who took fenugreek each day for 24 weeks lowered their cholesterol by 14% and cut their risk of a heart attack by more than 25%.
7. Clove: Build your bones
A 2tsp serving dishes up 63% of your RDA of manganese, a mineral thats crucial for healthy bones, along with other skeletal-strengtheners such as vitamin K and omega-3 fats.
8. Ginger: Recover faster
The spicy root contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols, to encourage muscle repair. Ginger also relieves nausea if you indulged in one pint too many the night before.
9. Nutmeg: Think quicker
Myristicin, found in nutmeg, is a potent brain-booster, reducing mental fatigue and enhancing memory. It has even been shown to inhibit an enzyme in the brain that contributes to Alzheimers disease.
10. Saffron: Raise your mood
A natural anti-depressant, just 30mg of the herb has been found to be as powerful as a 20mg dose of Prozac. Chinese research found it can improve circulation and reduce bruising, too.
Words: Scarlett Wrench
Photography: Daniel Herendi at wearestudio33.com