If I had to ask you to name your favorite food, I am sure, it would be anything but bitter. The thought of sweets, chocolates, ice creams, noodles, pasta makes us salivate and the only category of food that stands alone is the bitter tasting foods. Bitters were perceived as punishment, till some time back when health gurus made Apple Cider Vinegar the new super hero .
The goodness of bitter food can be traced back in the ancient scripts of Ayurvedic Medicine even before the advent of social media and health influencers singing glories of ACV, Moringa, Wheat grass and the likes. . This knowledge found it’s way into the collective wisdom of traditional meals and the cultural eating practices. In the present corona virus pandemic, health practitioners are spreading awareness on how a strong immunity can help you prevent not just the infection but also lower its severity through your immune response. And I strongly believe that health cannot be built in a day, its infact a cumulative effect of small good habits followed daily over a period of time. Food makes to being an integral part of our lives, if we just hold on to this one aspect and practice wholesome and mindful ways of eating, we would have a strong foundation in times of crisis. Better late than never.
Weather Transition and use of Neem
Neem Leaves
Currently its the time of the year when woolens lying around insist its winters, but the fan makes you feel cold. Children want to open the fridge for cold water, but grandparents insist its not the right time. Its transition weathers like these that test our patience and resilience. Traditionally, this was the time that Neem was used in households for its antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, air purifying and immune boosting properties. Not only is Neem good for skin, hair, oral hygiene and immunity boosting, but different parts of the tree – leaves, fruit, stem, roots with their unique qualities render themselves to a variety of functions eg) using dried neem leaves as insect repellent. Modern day herbal cosmetics and ayurvedic skincare products vouch for the wealth of benefits Neem has to offer for hair, dandruff and skin related concerns like pimples and acne.
As per Ayurveda, the months of March and April according to the Hindu calendar are known as Chaitra month or spring season. While this season marks a significant shift from winters to summers with pleasant weather in between, the chances of getting sick with infections and flu also arise. The bitter astringent properties of Neem spur the sluggish Kapha Dosha and help in detoxification. Consumption of fresh, small Neem leaves on an empty stomach can not only help the body in preventing these symptoms but also provides other nutrients that help in purifying the blood and keeping the immune system healthy. With the presence of Nimbin, Nimbolide, Nimandial, Ninbinene and over 130 beneficial active compounds, Neem helps in treating various health ailments .
Including neem in meals can help us in more ways than one.
What Bitter Foods Do Within the Body
Impressive Health Benefits of Bitter Foods
1. Bitter food aid digestion:
Bitter food literally ‘wake up’the taste receptors in your gut which are responsible for release of cholecustokinin, (CKK) . Its this CKK that tells pancreas and gall bladder to secrete enzymes essential for breaking down of food and digestion
2. Bitter food control cravings:
The current use of Apple Cider Vinegar before meals is not new. The practice of starting meals with bitter food has always existed in our culture. This practice is shown to have positive affect on appetite regulation and control of cravings. Published research states this a result release of PYYand GLP-1 , two hormones that control appetite.
3. Bitter food promote Blood Sugar Balance:
Bitter herbs have long been used in traditional medicine to support healthy blood sugar levels. Which makes sense when you consider that the pancreas, which makes insulin — the hormone that regulates blood glucose levels — contains bitter taste receptors.
4. Bitter foods improve Immunity:
Bitter foods help keep the liver moving and flowing as it desires to whisk out toxins on a regular basis, bitter foods essentially balances hormones and enable stage two liver detoxification and elimination.
For all those who wrote to me asking for the recipe, here goes:
Neem Begun Recipe
- Pick and wash fresh and tender neem leaves . Dry them well on a kitchen napkin. I had used some 8-10 sprigs
- Heat an iron kadai and once its hot, turn the heat off. Now to this hot pan, add the washed and dried neem leaves. Stir them well, till they shrivel.
- Then keep them aside
- Now to the same kadia add 1 Tbspn cold pressed mustard oil .
- Let in the diced pieces of brinjal ( about 2 Cups)
- add salt to taste.
- When brinjal gets well cooked, add the neem leaves back to this and allow to cook for another 2-3 mins .
Here you go, the neem bengun is ready! Serve it with plain hot rice in the beginning of the meal.
During this period of lockdown, as Delhi nutritionist, I am doing my bit by offering free consulation to answer your queries. These sessions will be conducted betwen 12:30- 1:00 pm daily on zoom or whatsapp . You may Get in touch with me, Madhavi K Sharma . I am strong advocate of the holistic health, & wellness benefits of fresh, local, and traditional Indian foods. Whatsapp me or write to me in the comments box to get answers to your nutrition and exercise related questions.
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