The Healthy Food.
Apart from just enjoying a plate/ bowl full of delicious Thai Green Curry, or any other incredible Thai dishes, did you know Thai foods can have numerous positive health benefits? In fact, a study conducted by numerous health organizations supports the claim that Thai foods are indeed one of the healthiest foods around the world.
How? The primary contributing factor to the health benefits of Thai foods lies in their unique blend of herbs and spices.
Galangal
This is one of the traditional and key components of authentic Thai foods. It belongs to the family of ginger. Galangal plays a crucial role in aiding digestive-related issues. Galangal has been popularly referred to as the “spice of life” throughout history for their various health benefits such as relieving abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, improving blood circulation, arthritis, etc.
Chilli Pepper
You will see the use of traditional chilli peppers in many of our Thai Larder dishes, even some of the milder ones - as not all chillies are as spicy as each other! They play a crucial role in clearing up the congestion and aid the respiratory system. Chillies also acts as an excellent inflammatory agent.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is another herb that is synonymous with authentic Thai foods. It has been known for its various health benefits since ancient times. It has been used for medicinal purposes to treat conditions such as Fever, Arthritis, Cold and flu, Fungal infections, etc. All these factors contribute to making lemongrass an effective and highly health-beneficial component.
Coconut cream
Because of its high fat content, coconut cream has been misunderstood by some. However, recent studies suggest that coconut cream consumed in reasonable quantities contributes positively to our health, particularly as an appetite suppressant. If you want to know why, read the next article below!
Garlic
Garlic is probably one of the most beneficial spices in existence. It is rich in manganese and several sources of vitamins, and this helps in reducing blood pressure aka hypertension. Garlic also helps in lowering the cholesterol level and reduces the risk of heart diseases as well.
On top of all those health benefits, authentic Thai food cooked the traditional way is simply delicious.
Check out our menu at: https://www.thailarder.com.au/online-ordering
Coconut Cream
Coconut cream is extracted from the white substance from the flesh of mature brown coconuts. It has been used for years as an ingredient in desserts, soups, and sauces. It is a popular component of Thai cuisine and it is a base ingredient in all of Thai Larder's curries. The process of extraction involves grating the fleshy part of the fruit and soaking it in hot water. We all know it tastes delicious, but did you know that consumed in moderate amounts it is not "a guilty pleasure" but rather a healthy natural food! I hear you ask why?
1. It aids in weight loss
Coconut cream is rich in short and medium chain triglycerides that are considered to be healthy fats. They prolong the feeling of fullness causing you to eat less and avoid giving in to cravings. In addition, they are more likely to be converted to energy as opposed to longer chain fatty acids. That means they are less likely to be stored in the body contributing towards obesity.
2. It contains antioxidants
Coconut cream is rich in vitamins C and E that are well known for their anti-oxidant properties. Free oxygen radicals are formed by our body tissues during the process of metabolism. They are harmful to cellular components and contribute towards aging and tumor growth. Antioxidants contained in coconut cream help to neutralize these harmful substances.
3. Electrolyte balance
Coconut cream is rich in electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium and phosphorous. Potassium is important for maintenance of a normal heart rhythm. It is also crucial for healthy muscle functioning. Magnesium is required for a healthy immune system as well as maintenance of normal nerve and muscle function. Phosphorus is a vital structural component of bones and teeth.
4. Prevents heart disease
Coconut cream is known to increase the levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholersterol) in the body. Scientific research now shows that coconut cream may help to reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in the body if consumed in low quantities. HDL cholesterol has anti-inflammatory properties that protect the endothelium or blood vessel lining. LDL cholesterol, on the other hand, promotes the formation of plaques in blood vessels causing pathological narrowing.
5. Strengthens the immune system
Coconut cream contains lauric acid that is known for its antiseptic properties. It assists the body in fighting infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. A study from The Philippines showed that children with pneumonia responded faster to treatment with antibiotics and coconut milk compared to those who were treated with antibiotics alone.
6. Prevention of anemia
Coconut cream has significant quantities of iron. Iron is an important mineral in the formation of healthy red blood cells with normal hemoglobin levels. Incorporating coconut cream into your diet will help you avoid anemia that often results from inadequate iron intake.
7. Healthy hair and skin
Recently, coconut cream has gained popularity for its use as a conditioning treatment for healthy hair. Its high-fat content acts as a sealant for moisture retention. When applied to the scalp, it helps to reduce dandruff and scalp itchiness. This is because it contains lauric acid that has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. When applied topically on the skin helps in maintenance of the skin’s elasticity. This effectively reduces wrinkle formation giving you a more youthful appearance. Its antibacterial properties are said to contribute towards acne prevention. People across the world now use this product for make-up removal.
8. Anti-inflammatory properties
Coconut cream aids in the reduction of joint pain and inflammation. Sugar is known to be pro-inflammatory. Substituting it for coconut milk as a sweetener can have remarkable results for those suffering from autoimmune inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus arthritis.
9. Promotes gastrointestinal health
Coconut cream is a healthy substitute for individuals that are lactose intolerant. In addition, it contains Zinc, a mineral that aids in the renewal of the cells that line the intestinal wall. This prevents the translocation of harmful bacteria from the intestinal lumen into the blood stream and reduces the incidence of diarrhea.
For every special occasion there's Thai Larder
A gift voucher is a modern equivalent of bringing a home cooked meal to a loved one. Giving someone a few nights off from cooking to say "thank you" "well done" or "we are thinking of you" is always a nice surprise whatever the circumstances.
Our gift vouchers can be redeemed against:
Home Delivery chilled meal service.
Thai Cooking Lessons for adults & children
A Cooking Demonstration party
Catering for a special event
For further details go to https://www.thailarder.com.au/gift-vouchers
I hope you enjoyed our 11th newsletter! If you did, please press the heart symbol before going! If you have any questions or suggestions please contact me at ann@thailarder.com.au
Patcharin (Ann) Atkinson