5 Delicious Herbs & Spices with Added Health Benefits
Without herbs and spices, food would be pretty bland. Along with adding flavor to our food, many spices have additional health benefits as well. The next time you cook, try to incorporate one of these five spices into your dishes:
1. Turmeric
If you’re a fan of Indian cooking, then you’re probably already familiar with turmeric, a popular curry spice that is known for its pungent and peppery flavor. The famous spice is part of the ginger family and has been used for more than 4,000 years because of its health benefits1. Turmeric contains compounds called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant best known for supporting a healthy inflammation response, which is good for your heart health, joint health, and more.
2. Cinnamon
This spice was once just as valuable as gold, silver, and ivory. Cinnamon is a very versatile spice because it can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It can be found in everything from baked goods to savory meat dishes, as well as drinks like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Regarding its health benefits2, it is an antioxidant that has been known to support sugar metabolism and help maintain healthy levels of blood sugar.
3. Black Pepper
One of the most popular spices in the world, black pepper can generally be found on everyone’s spice rack next to the salt. Pepper can give any dish a quick pick-me-up of flavor. But did you know that pepper is extracted from black pepper fruits and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries? It is high in antioxidants3 and helps improve the absorption of other nutrients.
4. Ginger
Ginger root is part of the same spice family as turmeric and cardamom. It is another spice that is quite common in many Indian dishes. Back in the day, ginger was one of the first spices to be exported to Europe through spice trading, where it quickly became a popular addition to candies, tea, and baked goods. In terms of health benefits4, ginger has been known to support digestive health, motion sickness, and nausea.
5. Cayenne Pepper
Also called chili peppers or red hot peppers, Cayenne peppers are native to the Cayenne region of French Guiana, which is located on the northwest coast of South America. Today, Cayenne pepper is grown throughout the world in places such as Mexico, the United States, and other tropical regions. Its naturally occurring capsaicin, whichgives the peppers their spiciness, is reported to have benefits in increasing metabolism and fat burning, relieving discomfort, and reducing after-meal insulin spikes.5
References:
1. Role of curcumin in systemic and oral health: An overview, 2013 Jan-Jun; 4(1): 3–7
2. Cinnamon: Potential Role in the Prevention of Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes, 2010 May; 4(3): 685–693
3. Black pepper and health claims: a comprehensive treatise, 2013;53(9):875-86. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2011.571799
4. Biological properties of 6-gingerol: a brief review, 2014 Jul;9(7):1027-30
5. Capsaicin Brings the Heat as a Disease-Fighting Powerhouse, February 14, 2017