The 5 Healthiest Spices You Should Be Eating

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We all know we should be eating whole foods, taking supplements, exercising and drinking water to be as healthy as possible. What we may not realize is that spices/herbs have been around for many years and are full of exceptional health benefits when added to our health plan.

Before there were a variety of medications and medical treatments, spices were used to treat and prevent many health issues. India, where many spices originated from, used them even 3,000 years ago! The well-known eighth-century king, Charlemagne said, “Spices, the friend of physicians and the pride of cooks.” It goes to show that spices were a natural part of meals, but also known to be a powerful medicine.

Whether you are struggling with low energy, allergies, digestive issues or pain, there are spices that may help to reduce the symptoms when consumed. If you want to prevent heart-disease, cancer and other common health issues, spices may be a good option.

There are many types of spices and they contain phytonutrients such as curcumin, which has anti-cancer properties; capsaicin, which reduces arthritis symptoms; and anethole which relieves menstrual cramps.

Here you will learn more about a few spices, which you may already have in your pantry. It’s recommended to clean out your spice cabinet and dispose of any expired bottles. Purchase organic items whenever possible. You will also be given a recipe often used in India to incorporate some of the most beneficial spices for your health.

Turmeric

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Turmeric is known as Indian gold. It has been studied that India has a much lower rate of chronic illnesses compared to America and other Western countries. Its active ingredient is curcumin, as mentioned before. This antioxidant is an anti-inflammatory, which assists with pain and improving circulation. This helps to reduce arthritis symptoms, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It is also known to prevent cancer, diabetes, depression and digestive issues. You can use it to relieve headaches, clear skin issues, reduce allergy symptoms, and even deal with wounds. Turmeric is becoming more known as a powerful healing remedy because of its wide variety of uses internally and externally. There have even been promising studies showing the amazing results slowing down different forms of cancer. For example, 34 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were given high daily doses of curcumin and 64 percent showed a slow-down in its progression. You can add turmeric to meat, vegetables, salad dressings, soup, rice and a variety of dishes. You can even consume more yellow mustard, which contains this vibrant spice.

Black Pepper

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Black pepper has been known as the “King of Spices”, since only wealthy people could afford it many years ago. It was considered more valuable than gold. Its active ingredient is piperine, which stimulates taste buds, giving the pancreas the signal to produce digestive enzymes, making black pepper beneficial for digestive health. This spice helps to move food through the digestive tract, reducing constipation and other GI issues. In addition, studies have shown that this spice may also help to prevent or treat cancer. Findings have shown adding Indian spices to a mice with breast cancer, increased their life span over 60 percent! It may also help with depression, high blood pressure, smoking addiction and thyroid problems. Pepper is one of the most common spices used. It is found in many recipes and on many tables around the country. You can add it to meat, seafood, marinades, beans, stews and many other dishes.

Cinnamon

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You may taste cinnamon in a variety of dessert dishes and be unaware of its amazing health benefits. It’s a bit funny that cinnamon is actually known to help balance blood sugar and is in such high-sugar meals. In the U.S., type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly and can lead to a variety of other issues such as heart-disease. Millions of people have high blood sugar and no idea how to regulate it. This is where cinnamon comes in. There have been studies done showing that people with type 2 diabetes who received cinnamon daily, had a lower blood sugar. It has also been shown to decrease cholesterol levels. Even healthy people can use cinnamon to prevent blood sugar issues, stroke, cancer and food poisoning. It also helps reduce those annoying sugar cravings. If you want true cinnamon, make sure you get Ceylon cinnamon. The one in your spice cabinet is most likely cassia and not real cinnamon. In addition to desserts, you can add cinnamon to coffee, baked apples and pears and lentil soup.

Nutmeg

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This uniquely flavorful spice contains myristicin, which is a volatile oil also found in plants like carrots and celery. Nutmeg has been shown to reduce cholesterol, depression and anxiety. It’s also shown that it can improve memory and sexual desire. It has been known to be a natural sedative, helping people to sleep better when they consume it before bedtime. Most of this spice comes from Grenada, where the nutmeg fruit is shown on their flag. Healers on this Caribbean island use it for arthritis pain, headaches, and for stomach issues. Nutmeg goes well when added to the end of a recipe rather than at the beginning since it retains its flavor best that way. It makes a perfect addition to dairy recipes since it cuts through the fat of milk and cheese. You can add this unique spice to thick soups, curries, hot cocoa, eggnog and custards. It’s often used in potatoes au gratin, garam masala, and mulled cider recipes.

Ginger

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Ginger has been used for thousands of year in India, China and other countries, mostly for helping with nausea symptoms. Whether nausea is from motion sickness, medication-induced, morning sickness or another cause, studies have shown the difference ginger makes. When volunteers were given ginger and asked to sit in a spinning chair, they all became nauseous. But when given ginger beforehand, it took them longer to get nauseous and it was not nearly as intense. In the study, they noticed that ginger limited the release of vasopressin, a hormone that helps to regulate levels of water, salt and blood sugar and why there may have been an improvement in the symptoms. In addition to easing nausea, ginger is filled with phytonutrients, making it anti-inflammatory. This helps to reduce arthritis pain and migraines as well as asthma and heartburn. You can grate fresh ginger into hot water and sip for a healthy tea. It works well in asian recipes and also roasted sweet potatoes, applesauce and soup.

Golden Tea Recipe

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This one recipe gives you a chance to include all the aforementioned spices: turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. It will help you to sleep, reduce inflammation, balance blood sugar, reduce cravings, improve digestion and so much more. It is recommended to drink nightly before bedtime. You will also need water and a milk option such as organic cow’s milk, almond milk or coconut milk. Heat ½ cup water and 1 cup milk. Add ¼ teaspoon turmeric, dash of black pepper, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon ginger. Bring to a boil then turn down to a simmer for 10-15 minutes. Pour into a mug. Let cool for a couple minutes before drinking. It is optional to add a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey to sweeten it up. You can also add a teaspoon of ghee or coconut oil for more healthy fat. Sip and enjoy the variety of flavors and the calming effect on the mind and body.

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