Indian Weight Loss Spices: Spices that can help for your weight loss journey

What if we told you that the key to shedding those stubborn pounds lies not in deprivation or gruelling workouts, but in the tantalizing world of Indian spices? Yes, you heard it right! 

Imagine a journey where your quest for a healthier, fitter version of yourself is not limited to bland and monotonous meals or gruelling exercise routines. Instead, it takes you on a vibrant exploration of a rich culinary heritage, where aromatic spices play the leading role in transforming your relationship with food and igniting your metabolism.

In a world where countless diets and weight loss trends emerge and disappear faster than we can keep track, this ancient secret has withstood the test of time. For centuries, the Indian subcontinent has been a treasure trove of flavours, aromas, and medicinal marvels that not only tantalize the taste buds but also hold the key to achieving your weight loss goals.

In this blog, we will introduce you to a plethora of Indian spices that not only add delightful flavours to your meals but also possess remarkable properties that can enhance your body’s natural fat-burning mechanisms. 

Let’s get to learning how a pinch of turmeric can accelerate your metabolism, how cumin seeds can suppress your appetite, and how the fiery spice, chilli, can turn up the heat on your calorie-burning capacity.

1. Turmeric

Let’s start this golden journey on a golden note. Turmeric — an ancient Indian spice that has been given credit for a lot of health and healing benefits. Rare are the chances of finding a home without turmeric. Not only India loves turmeric, but it grows it as well. In 2022, India produced 80% of the world’s total turmeric production. ^[1]

One of the rarely known benefits of turmeric is its weight-loss potential. But Ayurveda knew this benefit long back. Back in time, it was also known as ‘Mehagni’ – the fat killer, or ‘Rabhangavasa’ – the fat dissolver. Brilliant right? ^[2]

What’s more brilliant is the fact that it had 56 different names. Yes, 56! All these names symbolized its different properties. ^[3]

Turmeric has a compound called curcumin. This compound has been found to suppress the growth of fat tissues. Furthermore, it also enhances metabolism. And when metabolism is enhanced, the body burns calories efficiently. But, how should you take turmeric to reap its maximum benefits?

The thing is, the human body doesn’t know how to handle turmeric. It shows a poor absorption rate. But this can be dealt with easily. How?

Taking turmeric along with black pepper increases its absorption rate by a drastic 2,000%. ^[4]

Taking turmeric differently shows different results. So, what is the best way to take turmeric for weight loss? Brew a cup of turmeric tea and cherish each sip as you enjoy your morning. You may use fresh turmeric root for this. But if you don’t like the taste, you may have it in milk or curries. Just don’t forget to add black pepper to it. 

Now, how much turmeric should you take per day? The recommended daily dosage has been kept between 500 mg to 2,000 grams. Beyond it, the body starts showing silly symptoms. 

Note this – turmeric might interact with blood-thinning medications or other drugs. If you are under medications, consult your doctor first. 

2. Ginger

Ginger — the very soul of Indian teas. The sip just doesn’t taste good without its kick. And when you pick up a spoon and taste Indian foods, you taste this spice as well. It forms the base of most Indian dishes. Spicy, peppery, flavourful. But there is a reason behind this. The reason is its many benefits. 

Just like any other Indian spice, ginger is also added to food for its many health benefits. It enhances immunity, fights off colds, improves digestion, and of course, helps lose weight. 

Ginger has been accepted as one of the excellent weight loss spices. It has been studied well for this. The way ginger helps in losing weight is not one but many. The active compounds such as gingerols and shogaols found in ginger create a streak of several changes in the body. ^[5]

• It creates thermogenic effects in the body. Consequently, the body heats up and burns more calories. 
• Taking it reduces appetite, which makes people consume fewer calories.
• Because it enhances digestion, better nutrient absorption is observed. This means better weight management. 
• Blood sugar levels are managed well when it is consumed regularly. ^[6]

How to use Ginger for weight loss? 

The best way to consume ginger for weight loss is to add it to green tea. These two together do wonders. Drink once or twice daily. However, there is a limit you should respect when consuming it. 

Ginger should not be consumed over 4 grams per day. And if you are a pregnant lady, keep it to 1 gram. 

3. Fennel 

Fennel, scientifically known as Foeniculum vulgare, has long been revered in traditional medicine for its digestive and medicinal properties. However, its potential as a natural aid for weight loss is often overlooked. Let us take a closer look at this aromatic spice and discover how it can become your ally in achieving a healthier, slimmer you.

One of the key attributes of fennel spice is its ability to boost metabolism and promote digestion. Its active compounds, such as essential oils and fibre, stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, enhancing the breakdown of food and increasing nutrient absorption. By improving digestion, fennel can prevent bloating and optimize the utilization of nutrients, which can contribute to maintaining a healthy weight.

Fennel spice acts as a natural appetite suppressant. The fibre content in fennel seeds provides a feeling of satiety, helping to reduce food cravings and unnecessary snacking. By curbing your appetite, fennel can support portion control and prevent overeating, ultimately aiding in weight management. ^[7]

In addition to its digestive and appetite-regulating properties, fennel spice also boasts diuretic effects. It helps to flush out excess water from the body, reducing bloating and promoting a leaner appearance. This can be particularly beneficial for those looking to shed water weight or combat fluid retention.

How to use Fennel for weight loss?

Incorporating fennel spice into your daily routine is simple and versatile. You can brew a cup of fennel tea by steeping crushed fennel seeds in hot water, creating a soothing and digestive-boosting beverage. Alternatively, fennel seeds can be used as a flavorful spice in various dishes, from salads and stir-fries to soups and roasted vegetables.

4. Cinnamon

Slightly spicy and slightly sweet, cinnamon is a great spice that makes food a delight for taste buds and olfactory senses. And its taste takes another big leap when people hear that it helps in losing weight. Never heard this right? Now you have.

Cinnamon is nothing but the inner bark of trees from the Cinnamomum genus. This bark is highly sought after due to its otherworldly flavour, and above it, its many nutritional benefits. 

Cinnamon is believed to be one of the oldest spices in the world. Its fragrance is being carried on since 2,000 BC (4300 years from now) ^[8]

Taking cinnamon on a regular basis has been endorsed by the weight of research to be helpful in weight loss. The studied patients lost a significant amount of their BMI and body weight. But how does it happen? Just like all other weight loss spices, cinnamon also targets several functions in the body. ^[9]

Firstly, it helps maintain blood pressure. Furthermore, it keeps a watch on insulin levels, which contribute well towards obesity. Apart from it, cinnamon increases metabolism regulates appetite and slows down the absorption of carbs in the body.  But cinnamon doesn’t stop here. Its benefits go much beyond weight loss. 

So, how should you consume cinnamon for weight loss? You may either buy cinnamon powder or cinnamon sticks. Cinnamon sticks keep the fragrance and many compounds locked. You may turn it into powder form when consuming. Blend it with other weight-loss ingredients such as lemon, honey, etc.

How to use Cinnamon for weight loss?

For the best weight loss, consume around 3 grams of cinnamon per day. However, as you consume it, keep observing for any side effects or other symptoms in your body. ^[10]

5. Cardamom

Cardamom is one of the most delicious weight loss spices out there. This is why it is used to make several sweet dishes. Kheer, sharbat, thandai, tea, you name it and you add cardamom. The next moment, these foods are going to take a big leap in taste. And who loves having something delicious for health benefits?

Cardamom seeds do a great deal of work in pulling away some stubborn kilos of your body. This happens due to its ability to increase fat burning capacities of the human body. Apart from it, cardamom works in many areas and brings the body functioning to a sane state. And when the body behaves sanely, it manages weight well. ^[11][12]

How to use Cardamom for weight loss?

If you want to take it as a medicine, consume up to 3 grams for a month. If you are looking to make it a part of your diet, keep it around 1-2 grams per day. Brew tea, add to dishes, or consume in capsule form. 

6. Black Pepper

Too much pepper right? But what to do? Peppers are great when it comes to weight loss. As told before, consuming black pepper along with turmeric not only enhances the absorption of turmeric but the pepper also adds its own benefits.

Read here to know the combined benefits of turmeric and black pepper

We experience weight loss, better wound healing, increased metabolism, and whatnot. And such is why it was a popular ingredient in Ayurveda medicine. 

The weight loss through black pepper happens due to piperine. It is the main active compound found in these tiny fruits. And what does piperine do? It maintains appetite, improves digestion, and enhances the fat-burning mechanism. Brilliant. And such is its brilliance that it was once referred to as black gold.

Black pepper was once so valuable that it was used as currency. In fact, the word “peppercorn rent” is still used to refer to a small, token payment. ^[13]

How to take black pepper for weight loss? 

Because black pepper creates heat in your body, you should not go over the mark. Have 2-5 peppercorns and notice any changes. If you see your body getting derailed, bring the number down. Again, try having it with turmeric. 

7. Cumin Seeds

Cumin seeds are usually one of the few ingredients that starts any Indian dish. You add these to the hot oil and get the dish going. But as has been the history of Indian cuisine, this spice is also added to the food because it helps toward health. It is not for taste alone. 

Cumin seeds were used in ancient Egypt as a mummification ingredient.

Eating cumin seeds on a regular basis has shown significant improvement in weight reduction. The way cumin seeds help is the same as other weight-loss spices revealed above. These seeds increase metabolism, reduce appetite and inflammation, and improve digestion. And when all these things happen, the body becomes better at managing weight. But, there is a better way of taking cumin seeds for weight loss. ^[14][15]

How to use Cumin for weight loss?

Take 2 tablespoons of cumin seeds and soak them overnight. After waking up, boil it, let it cool, filter, and add other ingredients such as lemon, turmeric, etc. If you don’t like this, you may also add cumin powder to your curd. Great for digestion. You might also remember jaljeera from your childhood days which was taken as a digestive drink. ^[16]

Try keeping the number between 300mg to 600 mg, which is around 1 teaspoon. And as you do it, keep observing your body for any change.

8. Fenugreek Seeds

You might have heard of fenugreek seeds as a magical remedy for hair growth. And this secret has made the whole internet hopping. But weight loss? Well, pretty much yes. And that too after studying it well.

Traditionally, fenugreek seeds were used in medicine. With time, this invited these tiny seeds to be a part of the everyday-food community. In India, it is used to cook several dishes. Eating them also helps us have several nutrients such as magnesium, iron, manganese, vitamin B6, C, etc. 

In India, fenugreek leaves are widely used to cook several delicious dishes such as methi paratha, methi sabzi, etc.

These slightly bitter seeds actually do sweeter things to health. One big benefit of having them is, indeed, weight loss. Taking it on a regular basis controls blood sugar levels. Ultimately, this brings down fat accumulation. Furthermore, it enhances satiety. This leads to less overeating and less calorie intake. ^[17][18]

How to use Fenugreek for weight loss?

Try having them as first thing in the morning. The best way is to soak them overnight. You may use 1 tablespoon of seeds. Otherwise, you may also boil them and strain and drink them. Just try to stay around the 1 tablespoon mark for 21 days and observe how your body behaves.

9. Chilli Pepper

When it comes to spices that can rev up your metabolism and spice up your weight loss journey, one fiery contender takes the spotlight—chilli pepper spice. Beyond adding a fiery kick to your dishes, chilli peppers possess a secret weapon that can aid in shedding those extra pounds and achieving a healthier, fitter you. ^[19]

The active component responsible for chilli pepper’s heat is capsaicin. This compound not only gives chilli peppers their signature spiciness but also ignites a metabolic fire within your body. When consumed, capsaicin activates thermogenesis, a process that generates heat and burns calories. This means that chilli pepper spice can actually help increase your calorie expenditure, even during periods of rest.

What’s more, chili pepper spice can act as a natural appetite suppressant. Capsaicin stimulates the release of hormones in the body that reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness. By incorporating chilli peppers into your meals, you can potentially curb cravings and reduce overall calorie intake, making it easier to adhere to a balanced diet.

But the benefits don’t stop there. Chilli pepper spice also possesses anti-inflammatory properties and may improve insulin sensitivity, potentially supporting weight management and reducing the risk of metabolic disorders such as diabetes. ^[20]

How to use Chilli Pepper for weight loss?

Integrating chilli pepper spice into your culinary adventures is both enjoyable and versatile. Whether you opt for fresh chilli peppers, dried flakes, or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, the possibilities are endless. From adding a punch to soups and stews to spicing up your favourite stir-fries or even incorporating it into dressings and marinades, chilli pepper spice can elevate your meals to a whole new level of flavour and weight loss potential. But remember to always buy high-quality chillies like the Aashirvaad Chilli Powder which is natural and contains no added flavours or colours.

10. Cayenne Pepper

Now, we had said earlier that all these weight-loss spices can easily be found in our kitchens. Well, find this spice to be an exception for this. Apologies. Because this spice is something that not all of us might have. 

Cayenne Pepper, although is a type of red chilli, is quite hotter than the common red chillies we have at our homes. 

Cayenne Pepper’s Scoville scale (which tells how hot a thing is) ranges from 30,000–50,000 SHU. 

Moderately hot. So, how does this pepper help you shed off some extra kilos? Well, once you eat it, you keep on jumping due to the heat on your tongue, for water, for milk, for some relief. And this is how you lose weight. Hah! Jokes apart. 

Similar to chillies, Cayenne pepper contains a compound called capsaicin which helps in increased metabolism and more calories getting burned. 

What’s more? It puts a halt to extra hunger, has anti-inflammatory properties, and improves digestion. All these things confluence together to help in weight loss. 

How to use Cayenne Pepper for weight loss?

You can add cayenne pepper to your favourite savoury dishes like soups, stews, roasted vegetables, or grilled meats. You can also add them to homemade sauces, marinades, or salad dressings for an extra zing. Combine it with ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs to create a flavorful and weight-loss-friendly sauce.

However, when taking it, make sure you stay under the dosage. Keep your pepper intake to 30-120 mg per day. Going over can create issues in the digestive tract. Also, try taking it before your meals. 

Conclusion

Weight gain is an issue that almost all of us face. Not only does it hamper the many joys of life, but it also puts life on the edge of a sword. We fail to cherish our favourite dishes, move freely, sleep well, and whatnot. But it has a solution. And the solution comes in a delicious one – adding spicy flavours to our lives. 

We all have these weight loss spices in our kitchens but don’t know how to use them for losing weight. Taking these spices on a regular basis has shown to have a healthier weight. A healthy weight is not about having six packs. You may have slight fat around you and still have a healthy weight. 

Spices like cumin, turmeric, ginger, fenugreek, etc. have the potency to reduce fat from our bodies. But these spices must be taken in the right way. Always go for natural and high-quality spices like the Aashirvaad Turmeric Powder. Also, one must make a choice among these. Taking all of these spices together in high quantities is a folly that will invite numerous health issues. 

See what fits you and go on with it. And if you are going under some medications or are pregnant, consult your doctor. 

As the great spice sage once said, “With great flavour comes great responsibility… to fit into those jeans!” So, spice up your life, shed those pounds, and let your taste buds exclaim, “I’ll never be bland again!”

FAQs