Health benefits of turmeric, jaggery and other Indian kitchen staples: Add flavour to your fitness journey

Health benefits of turmeric, jaggery, coriander powder: These simple kitchen staples truly make festivals special, bringing not just taste, but also nourishment and a sense of togetherness (Images: Canva)

In India, festivals are inseparable from food. Whether it’s the saffron-laced kheer, cinnamon-scented malpua, crispy chaklis, or soft, tangy dhoklas, each bite is a journey into nostalgia or a celebration of the present.

But behind those mouth-watering laddoos and festive curries are six simple kitchen staples that truly make these celebrations special, bringing not just taste, but also nourishment and a sense of togetherness. Swati Shukla, Head – Food and Farms (Jivana), Godavari Biorefineries Limited, tells Moneycontrol, “Cooking needs care. Festive meals aren’t just about eating, they’re about offering love, blessings, and health through the food we cook.”

Shukla shares the health benefits of these 6 Indian ingredients that add both health and flavour to your dishes.

Health benefits of jaggery: More than just a sweetener, jaggery is seen as a symbol of purity and prosperity (Image: Canva)

In many Indian households, no celebration is complete without a little gur. More than just a sweetener, jaggery is seen as a symbol of purity and prosperity. That’s why it often finds a place in prasad and traditional sweets. Shukla says, “Pure jaggery adds a rich, earthy flavour that makes every festive treat feel like a heartfelt offering.” So next time you’re stirring that pot of kheer or shaping those til laddoos, make sure you’re using unadulterated jaggery for health reasons.

Health benefits of sugar: Like jaggery, sugar sweetens festive treats. Always opt for clean, unrefined sugars (Image: Canva)

Sugar sweetens festive treats, and like jaggery, its quality matters. Clean, unrefined sugar is a safer choice. A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that unrefined sugarcane products like jaggery may help reduce inflammation and influence immune responses.

Health benefits of iodised salt: It gives the body the iodine you need, especially during the cooler months (Image: Canva)

Salt, they say, is to food what kindness is to life. It is essential but often overlooked. Iodised salt brings flavour and also gives the body the iodine you need, especially during the cooler months when your health can face challenges. “It balances everything; flavour, health, even energy levels,” says Shukla. So don’t underestimate that humble pinch of salt.

Health benefits of turmeric: High-quality turmeric is a must in every kitchen (Image: Canva)

Turmeric, or Haldi, adds colour, warmth, and health to every meal. Whether it’s in your festive pulao or that cup of haldi doodh after a long day of cooking, high-quality turmeric is a must in every kitchen.

Health benefits of chilli powder: Always use clean, pure chilli powder, free from artificial colours or additives (Image: Canva)

The kick of chilli wakes up the senses and brings warmth that matches the energy of the season. Just be sure to use clean, pure chilli powder, free from artificial colours or additives.

Health benefits of coriander powder: It helps ease digestion issues like gas, indigestion, and diarrhea, as well as to help with breathing, urinary problems, and nausea (Image: Canva)

Also called dhania powder, it is gentle, aromatic, and gives dishes a grounded flavour. Coriander is known for its healing benefits. Traditionally, it has been used to ease digestion issues like gas, indigestion, and diarrhea, as well as to help with breathing, urinary problems, and nausea. Whether you’re cooking a festive sabzi or a special curry, don’t forget this classic.