Some Healthy Spices And Their Benefits

By Kate McMahon


While healthy spices add flavor and lend a delightful aroma to many culinary preparations, many of them are also abundant in health benefits. In fact, some of the most commonly consumed foods and widely cooked dishes can benefit hugely from a helping or addition of a certain condiment. Not only can the fragrance become more alluring and the taste more finger licking, but you would also probably be serving food that is helping keep a variety of diseases at bay.

One of the first in the list of such foods is cinnamon. Its rich fragrance and irresistible taste leave no room for complaint in the coffee it is added to. Used in baking cakes, it further adds to the finger licking quality of the dish. However, its use is not limited to beverages and sweetmeats only. It is used in cooking meats and vegetables as well. Rich in antioxidants, cinnamon is also known to contain healthy doses of calcium, manganese and iron. For those suffering from diabetes, cinnamon is an essential part of the diet.

Another spice rich in iron is cumin. It also reduces blood sugar levels, like cinnamon does. Furthermore, it is a known remedy against bacteria such as the ones that cause stomach ulcers. Another area where it shows effectiveness is the reduction of inflammation caused by arthritis. It can be added to vegetables as an essential ingredient while cooking or as seasoning.

A spice used extensively in Indian cooking is turmeric. It adds color and flavor to many dishes it is used to prepare. Known for its anti-inflammatory qualities, turmeric is added to plain milk and handed to children suffering from a cold for almost immediate respite. Another benefit it its ability to reduce the risk of cancer when regularly consumed.

The world over, ginger is a popular household culinary item. It is replete in health benefits. Ginger is used while preparing tea and the mix is both healthy and tasty. Its anti-inflammatory qualities make it a wonderful remedy for a sore throat. Often used in cooking along with garlic, it adds flavor and aroma to many preparations in the kitchen.

Another popular food item that is replete in advantages to the body is sage. It goes well with most vegetables, and is known to make the mind sharper. Children are often given food that is seasoned with sage to help improve their academic performance.

Saffron is the spice of the kings and queens. This is so due to its costly nature and use in only very exclusive preparations. Saffron rice, shellfish made with saffron as well as some exotic desserts make this delicacy so sought after. It is, however, also the price one must pay to cure depression and anxiety. Those suffering premenstrual syndrome can also hugely benefit from its consumption.

A spice that is not exactly very popular across the world is rosemary. However, those countries and cuisines that do use it are well aware of its goodness quotient. Rosemary is known to reduce the risk of cancer. It is also known to contain a rich amount of antioxidants, necessary to pump blood into the body. It can be sued in vegetable or met preparations.

Eating good food is indeed necessary. When it also comes with health benefits, you are up for a bonus package of sorts. This is what makes healthy spices so full of advantages. They not only add good taste to foods, but also raise the wellbeing quotient by multiple levels.




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