Before getting swept away by flashy global wellness trends featuring ingredients like sea moss or açaí berries, it’s worth taking a closer look at the powerful, time-tested superfoods already sitting in our kitchens.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Nikhil Kapur, sports nutritionist and Founder-Director of Atmantan Wellness Centre, shared,
“Long before global wellness trends introduced exotic ingredients like sea moss and açaí, Indian households, run by generational wisdom, relied on humble superfoods found in our grandmothers’ kitchens.”
Here are five Indian superfoods that he recommends for daily consumption:
1. Turmeric
A staple in Indian cuisine, turmeric is much more than just a color-enhancing spice. Its active compound, curcumin, is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties and also plays a key role in:
- Regulating mood-related neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine
- Supporting brain adaptability
- Promoting a healthy gut microbiome
“The way we use it in Indian cooking isn’t incidental; it’s an age-old method of increasing its absorption and therapeutic value,” Kapur explains.
2. Ghee
Once underrated in health circles, ghee has reclaimed its reputation as a source of clean energy and gut support. Rich in butyric acid, it aids in:
- Muscle recovery
- Repairing gut lining
- Enhancing absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
“Ghee supports tissue repair, especially after physical exertion or during periods of healing,” says Kapur.
3. Moringa
Often called the “miracle tree,” moringa is a powerhouse of nutrients and adaptogens that:
- Regulate blood sugar
- Support liver health
- Improve mental clarity
“It’s what you could call an ‘intelligent green,’ offering anti-inflammatory benefits to the body and brain,” says Kapur.
Traditionally added to dals and broths, moringa continues to prove its resilience-boosting value through modern research.
4. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
More than just an immunity booster, amla:
- Promotes digestion
- Supports gut microbiota
- Reduces oxidative stress in the brain
“Whether raw, juiced, or in traditional formulations like chyawanprash, its regular use builds a kind of quiet inner strength,” Kapur notes.
5. Banana
Common yet deeply functional, the banana provides:
- A steady energy source
- Prebiotic fibre for gut health
- Vitamin B6 and potassium for nervous system function
Green bananas, in particular, are rich in resistant starch which:
- Feeds beneficial gut bacteria
- Helps regulate metabolic health
“Both green and ripe bananas have their place—green for gut support and glycaemic balance, and ripe for easily digestible fuel,” Kapur explains.
In conclusion, Kapur reminds us that “the secret to a healthy life is often hiding in plain sight—right in our own kitchens.” These age-old ingredients offer a potent, holistic approach to wellness, grounded in tradition and backed by science.