Yesterday I listed some simple steps you can take to reduce your sodium intake, and one of those methods was to replace some of that salt you add to your foods with tasty spices. Reducing your sodium intake is not the only reason to reach for your spice rack: some spices contain anti-oxidants, are anti-inflammatory and can even help prevent cancer! So go on now, try out some of these healthful spices in your favorite recipes.
Cinnamon
Studies have shown that consuming a small amount of cinnamon each day (around 1/4 teaspoon) can help to reduce cholesterol and reduce the blood sugar levels of individuals suffering from Type II diabetes. Cinnamon is also a very dense source of anti-oxidants, which help to remove cell-damaging free radicals.
Cooking tips: Add it to homemade granola (or even sprinkle some on your store-bought versions), mulled cider, soups, stews and even chili!
Cayenne Pepper
Capsaicin is the active component found in chili peppers, which produces a burning sensation in humans when contact is made. Studies have shown that this component can actually alleviate headaches and arthritis by suppressing a neurotransmitter for pain. It is found in the medical field in topical ointments, which are used to reduce various aches & pains in patients suffering from anything from shingles to surgery.
But that's not all this little spice can do - there are studies going on right now where capsaicin is thought to be a potential cure for diabetes. The American Association for Cancer Research also suggests that capsaicin actually kills prostate cancer cells, and it may actually prevent the growth of other types of cancer. It's about time you boosted your spice tolerance, don't you think? ;)
Cooking tips: Add to any Mexican-inspired dishes, like enchiladas, tacos and burritos. Tastes great on fish & shellfish too!
Turmeric
Turmeric is a brightly-colored spice that is native to tropical South Asia. This festive-looking spice is thought to have a wide range of medicinal purposes, and has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Recent studies have shown that it could be used in treatment of Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis, psoriasis and even cancer. Turmeric can be found in sunscreens and other beauty products, as it prevents skin inflammations and is thought to give the skin a healthy glow.
Cooking tips: Use it in curries, add to lentils/beans, mix with rice or couscous and add to soups. Use it anywhere that you would like to get a bright "yellow" color in your cooking.
Ginger
Ginger is well known for alleviating nausea (I know when I was a kid, my mom always gave me a small glass of ginger ale to sip when I had an upset stomach), and recent studies have backed this claim up. It is also used as an anti-inflammatory, has been shown to reduce discomfort in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Both the fresh and powdered forms contain these beneficial qualities.
Cooking tips: Pair with Asian-inspired dishes in sauces or marinades. Tastes great with fish, poultry or even beef!
Cloves
Cloves are an aromatic dried flower bud of a tree that is native to Indonesia. They are chock full of anti-oxidants, beating out blueberries and pomegranates by a mile! Clove oil is also used as a pain killer, mainly in dental applications. Cloves are known for their warming properties, which can soothe an uneasy digestive tract.
Cooking tips: Pairs nicely with chicken, is great in soups and sweet desserts.
Reference to article on Myrecipes.com.
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3 comments:
I need to find a way to work more cinnamon into my life! I wonder how it tastes with yogurt? I'll have to try. :)
Ooh...that sounds really good! I'll have to try that tomorrow :)
I just discovered your site, Ceri and I love it. A nice "two-fer" hit is to make tofu egg salad using a bit of tumeric in the recipe. The soy and the spice are both good for us.
Jenn, there is a yougurt with vanilla, cinnamon and orange in it made by The Greek Gods yougurt. I doubt it has much in it, but it is pretty tasty.
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