Health benefits of sambhar:

Sambhar is a popular liquid dish in south India and has a twist when it comes to its origin. It was first invented in Maharashtra in the royal Thanjavur kitchens of the Shahuji emperor. Sambhar was named after the great Maratha ruler Sambhaji. The famous Maratha emperor Sambhaji (son of the legend Shivaji) was a guest to Shahuji’s empire where he was served a liquid dish named “Amti” as per his wish. It was made up of pigeon peas, and the extract of tamarind. Even today the basic daal in Maharashtra is called ‘Amti’. The ‘Amti’ was later reinvented by South Indians and was named sambhar.

Today we have different versions of sambhar available across the country. Not just Tamil Nadu, sambhar is a favorite and popular dish across South India. Idli sambhar is quite a favorite for many people because this combination not only tastes yummy but is also a healthier breakfast as very little oil is used while preparing this. In fact, in idli, oil is not used at all. Apart from idli sambhar is a great companion for vada, rice, dosa, and many other dishes too.

Sambhar is usually made up of sambhar powder, roasted lentils, vegetables, tamarind, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves, coriander seeds, red chilies, black gram, desiccated coconut, etc. Sambhar doesn’t have one particular recipe as the ingredients vary depending on the individual preferences. Its consistency is usually semi-liquid but again it depends on the individual how much thickness they need. As sambhar is a wholesome food with different dals, vegetables it is super healthy to consume and tastes delicious. It contains the right amount of protein, fiber, minerals, and also it is rich in Vitamin C. The best thing about sambhar is it is low in calories. So, don’t hesitate to grab an extra bowl of it when you are having sambhar the next time.

Health benefits of sambhar:

1. Power-house of proteins: A great source of protein for vegetarians. We know the importance of proteins in our body usually, it is easy for non-vegetarians as they consume eggs, chicken which is a great source of protein but for vegetarians, it becomes quite difficult to choose what to eat and end up having supplements of protein. Thankfully sambar contains different types of lentils and veggies that give the right amount of protein required to build the muscles.
2. Rich in fiber: Fiber is important to our body as it eases digestion. Sambar contains vegetables like drumsticks, okra, brinjal, pumpkin, tomatoes, onions, etc which are rich in fiber. So people who are having health issues like constipation sambhar can be super beneficial for them. Also, because of the fiber content in sambhar, it makes us feel fuller and hence helps us to avoid munching other things.
3. Low in GI: GI refers to the glycemic index. This is a value to represent the increase in blood sugar levels. As sambar contains low GI it avoids all the bad carbohydrates and helps in maintaining the blood sugar levels and hence a great option for diabetic patients. Preferring idli over rice with sambar is a great option for diabetics. Thus a great remedy for health with taste.
4. Helps in weight loss: Going on a diet doesn’t mean you cannot have anything. It is important to have the right food and in the right amount if you’re planning to lose those extra kilos! And the main thing a diet should include while you are on a weight-loss journey is the protein and the fiber. Sambhar is a great source of both protein and fiber; it is the savior for weight loss.
5. Helps in detoxification: detoxifying is important as it removes toxins from our body and it cleans the digestive system. There are many detoxifying drinks available and sambhar is also one of them. Because of the nutrients, veggies present it helps in detoxifying.