16 Spices that Benefit your Health
It is difficult to imagine any kitchen in the world without a variety of spices. Everyone in the kitchen has an impressive stock of jars with fragrant contents. Only we do not always realize that we are putting in a particular dish. Is it good for health or not? After all, spices are not only responsible for the taste of food, but also affect the health and condition of the human body as a whole.
There is a huge amount of spices. Cloves, star anise, cinnamon, different types of peppers, saffron, sage, basil, coriander – this is only the tip of the iceberg. And each spice has not only its own aroma, color, culinary field, but also unique beneficial properties.
Some facts about spices
Many centuries ago, spices were valued even more than gold bars. Thanks to them, new countries were opened, new trade routes were laid. Spices were used as a preservative for foods and a dye for some dishes.
Spices and spices were used as cosmetics that can improve the condition of the skin, hair, nails. The cost of spices was high, so they were often given for big holidays as a main gift. The richer the house and the higher the status, the more varied the spices in their menu.
Useful properties of spices
When you eat spicy foods, your body produces endorphins, and your mood improves. Spices, especially sharp and burning, are natural antibiotics. For example, chili, black pepper, and dried garlic, because of their capsoicin, piperine, and allicin, can fight viruses and harmful microorganisms that have entered the nasopharynx and oral cavity.
Aromatic herbs of green color contain antioxidants necessary for the body, which help to reduce the harm from carcinogens that appear in the process of cooking, and fight the aging process of the body.
Seasonings help keep blood sugar levels under control, prevent inflammation, promote food digestion, fight microbes, improve metabolism and break down fats.
In order to cover all the useful properties of all the more or less familiar spices, a dozen articles are not enough, we will consider only some of the most common seasonings that are in every home for sure.
Anise
Despite the rather specific taste and smell of anise and star anise – an excellent tool for the prevention of constipation and intestinal problems. Thanks to the essential oils they contain, they contribute to the full function of the intestines.
Peppers
The most common types of seasoning – black and red pepper – not only make the dish more burning, but also peppers contribute to the prevention of cancer, protect the body from cold epidemics, strengthen the skeleton of the body, help normalize blood clotting. It is these spices that are recommended for people who smoke, as the beta cryptoxanthin contained in them helps to neutralize the harmful effects of tobacco.
Bay Leaf and Clove
These two spices help fight upper respiratory diseases. Essential oils contained in them in large quantities, facilitate breathing, warm the body, improve blood circulation, stop coughing, cleanse the mucous membranes.
Turmeric
This spice is on the superfood list. Turmeric prevents the development of certain types of cancer, including cirrhosis of the liver, normalizes the function of the bile ducts, prevents inflammation, and inhibits the growth of malignant tumors.
Curry
Curry is a spice blend containing coriander, cinnamon and other spices. This mixture is advised on a regular basis to use for people suffering from diabetes and pre-diabetic conditions, as well as for elderly people.
Sesame
If you use sesame as an additive to food, it can normalize blood pressure, and if in the form of oil or in its pure form, there will be no problems with the work of the intestine.
Vanilla
Vanilla helps to slow the aging process and stop the growth of malignant cells, prevents the occurrence of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. All this thanks to its polyphenols. Of course, this is only a natural spice, and not an artificial additive.
Cumin and dill
These spices are real helpers in the fight against cough. They are useful to use for lactating women to improve the quality and protective properties of milk.
Mint
This aromatic spice with a recognizable taste is not only an excellent additive to drinks, meat, fish, but also a good remedy for nausea and migraines. It also has soothing properties.
Ginger and Garlic
In addition to all the known anti-inflammatory and preventive properties, ginger and garlic have another good quality – they contribute to weight loss and improve metabolic processes. They help to spend additional calories on the transformation of thermal processes. True, with this burning tastes provoke appetite, so everything is not so simple. Ginger helps with early toxicosis, reducing the feeling of nausea.
Parsley
Dried parsley helps to eliminate excess fluid from the body, and also helps to improve digestive processes.
Cinnamon
This spice regulates blood glucose levels, which means it can be used by diabetics as a preventive measure. Cinnamon helps to fight addiction to sweets, if you want to give up sugar in drinks, put cinnamon in them to taste, which will help to overcome cravings for sweets. It is believed that if you add a pinch of cinnamon in the dishes, then you definitely will not eat too much.
Some contraindications
Contraindications to the use of most of our usual spices are chronic diseases of the digestive system, pancreatitis, ulcers and gastritis in the acute stage, allergies, asthma, diseases of the genitourinary system. If you have a serious chronic illness, consult your doctor.
In any case, even with a completely healthy body can not eat more than 5 grams of spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, sage, for example, in large doses can cause cramps, and cloves – drowsiness. Rosemary and saffron should not be consumed during pregnancy, burning pepper is desirable not to fall into the eyes, as it can cause a retinal burn.
Some spices, such as curry, can change the effect of the medications taken. Therefore, if you regularly take medications, talk to your doctor about prohibited seasonings.
