Unash — A Cure for Ailments

Unash is considered one of the crown jewels among Turkmen national dishes. This dish also holds great significance in medicine. The total caloric value of 100 grams of unash is 322 calories. When examining each ingredient of unash individually, one can see its benefits for human health.

The red chili pepper added to unash stimulates the appetite, aids in the digestion and absorption of food, thins the blood, and prevents cardiovascular diseases and tumors. Catechin, hesperetin, rutin, and other flavonoids in the pepper belong to the vitamin P group, which has a strengthening effect on small blood vessels, namely capillaries. Flavonoids have a positive effect on liver cells, helping to restore damaged tissues, and also have bile-producing and diuretic effects. Capsaicin in red chili pepper, by affecting human taste receptors, triggers the release of the hormone endorphin. This hormone is also known as the "happiness hormone." It awakens feelings of relaxation, calmness, and satisfaction in a person.

Another product added to unash is gatyk (yogurt). The benefits of homemade gatyk are very high. Unash with gatyk stimulates the appetite and improves intestinal activity. Gatyk contains ascorbic acid, vitamins A, PP, D, and the B group, as well as choline and beta-carotene. Furthermore, it contains minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, copper, chromium, calcium, sulfur, and sodium, which are important for increasing the activity of body organs, fighting various diseases, and boosting the body's immunity.

The benefits of beans in unash are also immense. Beans, which belong to the legume family, contain minerals such as aluminum, boron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, sulfur, phosphorus, and iron. Additionally, the chemical composition of beans consists of B-group vitamins, vitamins E and K, ascorbic and folic acids, and essential amino acids necessary for maintaining human health. They lower blood glucose levels, prevent cardiovascular diseases, regulate the nervous system, and stabilize metabolism. Beans help remove excess fluid from the body and normalize water-salt metabolism. They have a beneficial effect on the endocrine system, bone tissues, and the functioning of skin, fat, and sweat glands. They protect the walls of blood vessels from the accumulation of fat particles. The gentle fibers of beans improve the digestion process and aid in the elimination of toxins from the body.

The significance of the ingredients in unash is described in the book "The Abundant Turkmen Sachak" (Bereketli türkmen saçagy) by our Hero Arkadag as follows: "Handmade unash is also classified as a dietary meal. It is eaten during colds and the flu. When there is a lack of appetite, unash with red pepper is eaten. This dish is also considered a sudorific (sweat-inducing) remedy."

Our national dish, unash, is of great importance in protecting the human body from various inflammatory diseases and boosting immunity. Therefore, to protect against seasonal diseases, especially those transmitted by airborne droplets, we recommend that you first consult with your family doctor and regularly consume our national unash with pepper and beans, which helps increase the body's ability to fight diseases.