Hopefully you had a chance to read our first post on the health benefits of thai food, if not go check it out. So in our first post we covered some of the main components of thai food, chillies, turmeric and garlic, which are three very popular ingredients in thai food. So we are going to pick up where we left off and shed some light on some other very beneficial ingredients that you will find in our thai dishes.

Ginger – Though many people think of ginger as the cold pink slivers that are served with sushi. In thai food, ginger is prepared differently. We commonly use the fresh ginger root in stir fry, which gives the dish a fresh and subtle flavor, different than what most people expect. Most believe the flavor of ginger to be quite overbearing but that is not the case, and in fact most people have a change of heart after experiencing ginger in thai dishes. Beyond a fresh flavor, ginger also offers soothing benefits for the stomach and mind. Many people consume ginger to cope with anxiety, restlessness, an upset stomach, or even a cold or sore throat. Works well steeped in hot water, for nights you need a little extra relaxation and soothing effects.

Galangal – Although this is a less known ingredient, it is one that is critical to many authentic thai dishes. The root vegetable does a great job of offsetting the flavor of many of the meats and flavorful vegetables in thai dishes with its subtle spice. The root is a great addition to vegetarian or vegan thai dishes, since it has a high concentration of iron, and complex flavors. The root has great benefits for the stomach with its anti fungal properties and can sooth bloating and upset stomachs.

Lemongrass – Lemongrass is a widely used ingredient in thai dishes and has been for a long time since it is indigenous to Asia. The lemongrass has a unique aroma and taste and is often used to mellow out bolder flavors in thai dishes. It’s subtle scent and flavor is calming and soothing and offers a wide array of benefits which can help with headaches, stomach aches, digestion and congestion.

There is still a lot to cover, but by know you should be able to identify a couple of the ingredients in your thai dish, and understand their specific health benefits.

Many people are drawn to Thai food because the health benefits that it offers. Despite some of the popular menu items that you will see in Americanized thai food restaurants, traditional thai food offers an assortment of benefits that are great for your health.

It all starts with the ingredients…

Thai restaurants use ingredients such as hearty vegetables and roots that are nutrient dense, as well as spices that offer positive health benefits.

Garlic – Garlic is a common ingredient in most thai dishes. It adds wonderful aroma, taste, and you guessed it, health benefits. Garlic known to assist digestive processes, help to regulate blood pressure and lower cholesterol. It also has anti fungal properties and is known to help with blood sugar levels. Despite some peoples distaste for garlic, it is suggested by many dietitians to include garlic in your diet and consume regularly.

Besides being great for your bodies regulatory system, garlic goes excellent with spices and is a key component to the distinct taste of your favorite thai dishes. 

Turmeric – Turmeric is a sacred herb and has been used as commonly in medicine as it has in food in the Eastern world. It’s medicinal properties include, but are not limited to ant

• inflammatory properties – Turmeric helps keep your body resilient, and helps to fight off bacteria that causes inflammation and more serious health risks such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and more. For these reasons many people take turmeric regularly in a capsule form.
• Antioxidants – Though many substances claim to have antioxidant properties, there are few that have the antioxidant effect of turmeric. Antioxidants are essentially free electrons that help bind to free radicals (molecules with unpaired electrons) in our body to neutralize their destructive effect. Without antioxidants free radicals would roam free in our bodies and cause havoc internally, potentially leading to cancer and other serious disease.
• Brain function – Turmeric is also linked to improve brain function and brain protection, and strongly linked to preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

Beyond being known for being the ingredient that makes curry yellow, it also linked to helping to prevent the most common modern diseases.

Chillies – Let’s not forget the ingredient that really separates thai food from other style foods. chillies give thai food their flair, and also offer a unique mix of health benefits. Beside making your nose run and clearing up your sinuses, they also help boost your immune system with their high concentration of vitamin C. Additionally chillies offer energy, reduce cholesterol, and act as a natural pain reliever.

We are just getting started…stay tuned for more.