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I COULD MURDER A CURRY
The term curry is derived from kari, a Tamil word meaning sauce and referring to various kinds of dishes common in South India made with vegetables or meat and usually eaten with rice.
However, the term (meaning a stew) is found in English before the arrival of British traders on the Subcontinent, and may simply have been applied by them to dishes which they thought resembled the stews they were used to.
Nowadays the term is used more broadly, especially in the Western Hemisphere, to refer to almost any spiced, sauce-based dishes cooked in various south and southeast Asian styles.
Fans of a cheeky tikka will rejoice in the latest news that a compound found in curry can help guard against Alzheimers - and boost your brainpower.
Scientists from the National University of Singapore found that people who ate curry as little as once every six months did better in tests than those who had it never or rarely, and that elderly people who ate curry less than once a month, scored better on standard tests to measure cognitive function.
Professor Tze-Pin Ng and a team of researchers, who reported their results in the American Journal of Epidemiology, said curcumin, the part of the spice turmeric which gives curry its distinctive yellow colour, is thought to be responsible for the positive effects.
Even better news is that the very same compound can help stop breast cancer in it's tracks. Scientists found that curcumin appeared to stop tumours spreading to other parts of the body. India is the home of one of the world's oldest healthy living regimes, Ayurveda.
The word Ayurveda qute literally translates to 'knowledge of life'. Ayurvedic diet advice reccomends the use of many traditional Indian herbs and spices to prevent illness and balance the 'doshas' which are said to be the root of health & well-being.
One of the main concepts of Ayurvedic diet is the idea that 'you are what you eat'. - but there's no need to hide, Gillian McKeith has no links to Ayurvedic medicine and is unlikely to be demanding a poo sample from you after your curry.
OTHER REASONS TO INDULGE IN AN INDIAN...
Ginger was once believed to be a home remedy for the plague. In recent years it has been proven to work as a treatment for nausea
Fennel was believed by Ancient Greeks to have healing properties - we now know that fennel has a calming effect and it's used as a mild relaxant.
Hot chilli peppers were once used to cure cholera, jaundice and ringworm. We now know that they can relieve nasal congestion and weight for weight provide three times more Vitamin C than oranges.
Cumin was, at one time, added to bread to prevent its theft by evil spirits. Not sure how effective it is against them now, but it can help to soothe indigestion by working on the enzymes in the stomach.
Coriander seeds were prescribed for general well being and used to flavour repulsive medicines. We now realise that they help stimulate the digestive system.
Cloves were traditionally thought to help paralysis and brain problems. Today, cloves are used to help clear up cold sores and sore throats.
Cardamom was hugely popular in ancient Rome as a perfume and used as an old trick to sweeten the breath after a hard night of drinking. Nowadays it's known as a great detoxer after a big weekend, as it flushes out the kidneys and helps settle the stomach!
