Eating curry may be a better cure for headaches than aspirin tablets. A study funded by Scottish Executive has found that salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin, occurs naturally in Indian food, and that curry could help treat migraines and prevent colon cancers, reports The Australian quoting The Times , London.

Spices such as cumin, turmeric and paprika, all of which are used in curries, are rich sources of salicylic acid, the study showed. Indian food does not cause the side-effects sometimes associated with long-term aspirin use, such as internal bleeding and ulcers, says the study, conducted by the Rowett Research Institute.

Study co-author Garry Duthie said: "I wouldn't recommend a curry a day for headaches, but it is possible that someone with a headache who is a very good absorber of salicylic acid might find it went away if they had a vindaloo. The hotter the curry is, the greater the possible benefits.

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