No authentic tamil cuisine is served without Rasam, which is eaten with rice or drunk after a meal, as a spicy soup. But WHYYYYYY?
1. Rasam Health Benefits
Rasam is rich in essential vitamins such as thiamin, folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, and riboflavin. Some of the minerals provided by a serving of this delicious food are Potassium, iron, calcium, zinc, selenium, copper and magnesium. The major benefits of rasam come from its key ingredients tamarind, tomato, and black pepper.2. Rasam Soup Benefits
The Black Pepper content ensures that the stomach is signaled to produce more acid. This helps digest food, such as proteins better, and prevents flatulence, indigestion, gas, constipation, acidity and diarrhea. Tamarind contained in Rasam is rich in dietary fibre or non-starch polysaccharides, such as mucilage, pectin, hemicellulose, tannin and gums. It adds bulk to food and eases bowel movement. Thus, easing constipation. The protein and nutrient value of rasam can be increased by adding lentils and vegetables. This nutritious properties of rasam and its fluid consistency makes it an ideal food for convalescing patients.3. Rasam Medicinal Properties
Some of these vitamins act as antioxidants as well, keeping the body healthy. The ingredients in rasam, especially tamarind, are rich in antioxidants. Hence, it protects the body against attack of free radicals. As a result, the skin remains young, supple, and healthy. Regular consumption of rasam can even keep cancer away. Black pepper present in rasam contains a substance called piperine. This substance has been found to have an inhibitory effect on cancerous cells, along with curcumin found in turmeric.Check out - EASY Rasam Powder ➜ TASTY Rasam Recipe | RandomKitchen
4. Rasam during Pregnancy
Rasam is really good for pregnant women and babies. Pregnant women will find rasam to be a good meal that will give them most essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and proteins. It is quite easy to digest and keeps the intestines working properly.Rasam can be introduced to babies as their first solid food because it is easily digestible as well as tasty. Semi-solid food is the best kind of food for a babies who have recently been weaned off mother's milk.
5. Rasam for Weight Loss
The black pepper content of rasam is what helps the body lose weight. It promotes removal of toxins by making the body sweat and produce more urine. Thus, the body s metabolism is kept working properly. Tamarind content of rasam slows down the production of fat and inhibits the enzyme in the body that promotes fat storage, as it contains HCA – hydroxy citric acid. HCA also suppresses appetite by increasing serotonin neurotransmitter levels and also burns fat during long exercises.In an authentic tamil cuisine, white rice and rasam are served as the final course of the meal. How to eat Rasam? It is eaten with rice or drunk after a meal, as a spicy soup. Rasam also makes for an excellent party appetiser. Reason? It plays the primary role in aiding digestion and preventing constipation. Being a fairly good source of minerals, Rasam is an ideal food for people to include in a balanced diet.