Which achar is healthy?

Which achar is healthy?

Introduction

Achar or Indian pickles hold an altogether different place in Indian households. Its burst of flavours spicy, tangy, or sweet- complements nearly any meal. But achar isn’t just a tasty condiment; if made the right way, it offers several health benefits also. Yes, there are apprehensions about its high salt and oil content, but not all achars are created equal. Organic achar, in particular, is prepared with fresh and pesticide-free ingredients. Hence, it forms a healthy component of your diet. The blog looks at the health benefits of achar, various types of pickles, and what to look for when choosing or making a healthier version.

The Role of Achar in Indian Cuisine

Achar has been an integral part of Indian cuisine for several centuries, passed down through generations. Generally, seasonal fruits and vegetables are pickled with a variety of spices, oil, and natural preservatives in most parts of India, which can last for months. And each of those regions has its own special achar recipe- from the scorching mango pickles in Rajasthan to the sour lemon achars in Kerala. Organic achar is in great demand among people believing in healthy eating because all the ingredients used in organic achar are natural, with very minimal preservatives. Traditional preparation methods that are free of artificial chemicals make it a nutritional source that enhances meals both in taste and health profile.

Achar is not only an appetizing accompaniment but also a representation of India’s agricultural and gastronomic pluralism. Be it mango, lemon, amla, or even garlic, every variety differs in its spicy preparation by tastes and sensory likings of people. Organic achar, in particular, maintains freshness and healthiness for taste and wellness purposes.

Health Benefits of Achar

Probably one of the major reasons achar still is one of the staple items within an Indian household is because of its health benefits. Organic achar, made using traditional recipes, enhances these benefits by avoiding harmful chemicals and artificial preservatives.

Key health benefits that organic achar can bring about, in particular, are enumerated as under:

• Probiotics: Some types of achar undergo spontaneous fermentation, wherein the fermented product is infested with probiotic bacteria. These probiotics are believed to be highly essential for good gut health and help in digestion and restoration of the balance in the intestines. Organic achar, due to its limited use of artificial preservatives, maintains the probiotic content intact and thus provides greater digestive benefit.
• Natural Preservatives: Most of the achars are made with mustard oil, salt, and vinegar for fruit or vegetable preservation. Such natural preservatives not only extend the shelf life in achar but also maintain good health. This mustard oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids, and vinegar helps in digestion. Organic achars prepared with organic and natural mustard oil and spices ensure you get these benefits without harmful additives.
• Antioxidant-rich foods: Generally speaking, pickles are a very good source of antioxidants. Some common antioxidants include Vitamin C, plentiful in lemon and amla organic achar. These antioxidants will be of much help in combating free radicals, strengthening immunity, and improving skin health. Organic achar prepared from fresh ingredients of amla, lemon, and other organically grown ones is an even more powerful source than commercially prepared pickles.
• Digestive Aid: Traditional Indian spices such as hing, jeera, and ajwain are used extensively in achars. These spices are well known for their digestive aid action by restraining bloating of gas and indigestion. Organic achar prepared using these spices is a natural and effective approach to improving digestion without any hazardous side effects.

How to Choose or Make a Healthier Achar

Of course, each variety of achar has its constituent health benefits. Although many store-bought pickles have extremely high salt and preservative contents, organic achar retains the integrity of the ingredients with much healthier constituents. Some of the popular types of achar are listed below together with their nutritional value:

• Mango Achar: Among the common varieties, mango achar is rich in vitamins and minerals. The green mangoes used in organic achar are good sources of Vitamin C; therefore, these improve one’s immunity. In addition, fenugreek and mustard seeds are some of the spices that show anti-inflammatory properties; therefore, organic mango achar is healthy and delicious.
• Lemon Achar: The lemon achar has high amounts of Vitamin C, the nutrient necessary for immune system development and skin health improvement. Organic achar lemon has no added artificial additives, so the natural Vitamin C is present and preserved in this product, making it tangy and healthy to add to meals.
• Amla Achar: Amla or Indian gooseberry is rich in antioxidants. Organic achar amla is rich in Vitamin C and other antioxidants, which help to promote skin health, enhance immunity, and reduce inflammation. Its sour and spicy flavor helps make it very popular among health-conscious people.
• Carrot and Vegetable Achar: Low on calories and high in fibre, carrot achars and other vegetable achars serve perfectly for those who desire to maintain or shed body fat. Organic achar made from pesticide-free fresh vegetables serves as a healthier alternative to store-bought ones. Their fibre content helps in digestion and keeps you full for longer.
• Garlic Achar: It is said that garlic is good for the heart as it only reduces cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Organic achar garlic made with minimal oil and fresh garlic will help reap its healthy benefits without adding any sort of fattening or chemical preservatives.

On the other hand, most store-bought achars contain high amounts of sodium and oil content. The addition of artificial preservatives also accompanies these products. Opting for organic achar is one way of sustaining the traditional taste and health benefits without nutritional compromise.

That’s why Organic Anand is the only brand that makes homemade pickles including organic achar mango and a lot of pickles in a homemade masala without preservatives and chemical free products. We don’t use even vinegar.

Things to Watch Out For: Possible Health Risks

While achar may be healthy for a meal, it should be taken in moderation; there is a fair share of health risks associated with the excessive use of pickles, especially those of commercial origin. Organic achar, however, alleviates most of these risks by using healthier ingredients.

• High Sodium Content: Most pickles have very high levels of salt. Excessive intake may lead to high blood pressure and cardiac problems. Organic achar uses salt in moderation and could be better for those who like to keep its intake to the barest minimum.
• Oil Usage: The use of oil in making commercial pickles can be excessively high, adding extra calories to the diet, which is not needed. Organic achar uses much less oil, and when they do, it will be a superior class, such as cold-pressed mustard oil or organic sesame oil.
• Sugar in Sweet Pickles: Sweet pickles or some sort of mango achar are containing high sugar, which surely results in being overweight and is also not good for diabetic patients. Organic achar reduces the usage of sugar, hence making it healthy for all.
• Artificial Preservatives: Most commercially available pickles are laced with preservatives and artificial colors that might reduce their nutritious value. Organic achar, with no usage of artificial chemicals in the preparation of achar, is a cleaner and healthier version.

How to Choose or Make a Healthier Achar

It is relatively easy to make or choose a healthy achar. In general, choosing an organic achar is a decent enough first step in assuring yourself that you get a nutritious and flavorful pickle. Here are some tips that can help you in choosing or preparing a healthier version:

• Homemade vs. Store-bought: Making organic achar yourself ensures that you can use less salt, oil, and preservatives, but store-bought ones are generally very salty and oily. Organic brands are now available in the market, though, with healthier versions of this item.
• Oil-free or Low-oil Recipes: If calories are your concern, then you can try searching for oil-free or low-oil organic achar recipes. Several of these happen to be just as potent but have fewer calories of harmful fats.
• Natural Fermentation: Naturally fermented pickles are rich in probiotics, so they enhance gut health. Organic achar is, therefore, prepared by the process of natural fermentation and proves to be a bundle of benefits for digestion.
• Organic Ingredients: Use organic fruits, organic vegetables, and organic spices to keep your achar pesticide-free. To offer you a healthier and cleaner alternative to this classic favorite, the aforementioned ingredients have been used to prepare organic achar.

Conclusion

Achar is something that can be tasty as well as healthy if prepared with natural ingredients and if it is consumed in moderation. Organic achar, on the other hand, is the ultimate feast between taste and nutrition. It’s a much cleaner alternative to commercial pickles sans any preservatives. You enjoy not just the rich flavors of Indian pickles but all the health properties associated with them when you consume organic achar. So, let the day start by including this traditional delight in moderation, but also going for organic ones so that one gets maximum benefit from achar experiences.

First best homemade pickles are pickles made by ourselves at our Kitchen. Second best pickles are Organic Anand Homemade pickles made with Love for our Customers.

Organic Anand pickles are made without using any Preservatives and using authentic ingredients. Handmade in small batches with Homemade Masala & traditional process

With organic Anand Pickles you take a step in the direction of a healthier, balanced life and enjoy the right mixture of taste and health gain Get this product today from this link: https://organicanand.com/

Checkout our blog: – https://organicanand.com/best-mango-pickles/

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