No matter what your meal is, a dash of chutney can instantly elevate the taste and experience. Be it a zingy peanut chutney or a refreshing mint chutney, there are so many delicious chutney recipes out there. We pair them with snacks, enjoy them with parathas or even use them as dips with chips! Apart from enhancing the taste of the meal, chutneys can give your meals an instant boost of good health. Believe it or not, the humble chutney actually has plenty of health benefits to offer. We've collated some of the surprising and incredible health benefits of chutneys for you. Read on!
What Are The Benefits Of Chutney?
Many health experts and nutritionists often recommend eating chutney with your meals - not just to enhance the taste but also to increase the nutritional value of the meal. According to celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, "Chutney is a delicious method of introducing spices, fibre and phytonutrients that are otherwise hard to find and difficult to assimilate for the body."
Although in modern times, chutney is prepared in a mixer or blender - the health benefits are enhanced when it is hand-pounded in an insulating material. "Stone or wood are non-conductors of heat and when the chutney is made in them, the nutrients along with their flavour, aroma, colour and taste are retained," explains Diwekar.
(Also Read: These 7 Homemade Chutney Recipes Are The Best To Savour With Your Meals)
Chutney goes well with all kinds of meal. Photo Credit: Ashwin Rajagopalan
Here Are 5 Chutney Health Benefits That You Should Know:
1. For Healthy Digestion
Since chutney is made with fresh ingredients and is completely raw, it has plenty of fibre content. This helps aid the digestion process and smoothens bowel movement. Chutneys are also light on the stomach and pack a ton of flavour without burdening the intestines. If you use ingredients like walnuts, peanuts, apples or peas in your chutneys, it will further amp up the fibre quotient.
2. Helps Detox
Not many are aware that chutney is a great way to detox! Freshly-pounded chutney is loaded with antioxidants that protect the body from damaging free radicals. Fresh herbs like coriander, mint and curry leaves, as well as spices such as mustard seeds, turmeric and chillies, can further enhance the health properties of the chutney.
(Also Read: 5 South Indian Chutney Recipes You Must Try)
The herbs and spices used in chutney can be excellent for multiple reasons. Photo: iStock
3. For Good Skin
Keep forgetting to eat fruits and vegetables, but still want healthy, supple skin? Chutney is all you need. Enriched with the goodness of vitamins and minerals, depending upon what recipes you are following, chutney is definitely a great option for glowing skin. So, dip away sans worry!
4. Rich In Iron
Chutney has been given the tag of a health remedy by our grandmothers, and it's time we heeded their advice. Chutneys such as those made with coriander, curry leaves, and even spinach can provide the body with the required iron content, and thus may even help build cardiovascular health.
5. Boosts Immunity
With an abundance of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it's no surprise that chutney may help boost immunity too! Using ingredients rich in Vitamin C such as a dash of lemon juice, tomato, raw mango, or even guava can be an excellent way to get a dose of immunity in the day.
(Also Read: 5 Chutney Recipes You Can Prepare In 10 Minutes Or Less)
Even chutneys like amla or phalsa can enhance immunity. Photo: iStock
Which Chutney Is Healthiest? | Easy And Healthy Chutney Recipes
When it comes to chutney, there are a variety of options out there. Experts suggest that the healthiest chutneys are the ones are those which are a bit lower in terms of fat and sugar content. If you're looking for some healthy and delicious chutney recipes, we have just what you need. These chutney recipes are not just nutritious but are also super easy to make.
Click here for some healthy chutney recipes.