The World's 7 Most Potent Disease-Fighting Spices

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The World's 7 Most Potent Disease-Fighting Spices JoAnn Guest Sep 15, 2005

17:15 PDT

 

by SixWise.com

http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/08/17/spices.htm

 

Spices can add much more than flavor, color and variety to your favorite

foods; many also have unique health-promoting properties. So if salt and

pepper are the only spices in your kitchen, you're missing out on a host

of interesting flavors and some potentially potent health benefits.

 

" There have been many recent studies validating the historic habit of

using spices for health benefits,'' says Donna Tainter, a food

technologist and author of " Spices and Seasonings, A Food Technology

Handbook. "

 

If you're looking for the most health bang for your buck, these seven

spices top the list in terms of taste and disease-fighting capabilities.

 

 

 

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Ginger

 

Health Benefits: The active ingredient in ginger is gingerol, a compound

that's thought to relax blood vessels, stimulate blood flow and relieve

pain. It's commonly used as a digestive aid and contains compounds that

ease motion sickness and nausea and inhibit vomiting. This makes it a

helpful spice for morning sickness or for people suffering from the side

effects of chemotherapy.

 

Ginger is also an anti-inflammatory, which means it may be useful in

fighting heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and arthritis. Plus,

it's high in antioxidants that fight all kinds of diseases.

 

How it's Used: Ginger can be used freshly ground from the root (see

picture) in Asian dishes, as well as in any type of meat, seafood or

vegetable dish. Ginger is commonly served along with sushi. Dried ground

ginger is typically used in desserts and baking (gingerbread cookies,

etc.), and it's also available candied and pickled. Fresh ginger root

can also be used to make a soothing ginger tea.

 

Interesting Tidbit: The health benefits of ginger were documented over

2,000 years ago!

 

 

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Oregano

 

Health Benefits: Two of oregano's compounds, thymol and carvacrol, have

potent antibacterial properties. In fact, a study in Mexico found that

oregano was more effective against an amoeba than a common prescription

drug called tinidazol.

 

Oregano is also a potent antioxidant, rich in phytonutrients. On a per

gram basis, fresh oregano has:

 

42 times more antioxidant activity than apples

 

30 times more than potatoes

 

12 times more than oranges

 

4 times more than blueberries

 

How it's Used: Fresh or dried oregano can be added to Italian dishes,

salad dressings, egg dishes, vegetables, meats and more.

 

Interesting Tidbit: Oregano means " mountain joy " and is sometimes called

wild marjoram in Europe. It's closely related to the herb sweet

marjoram.

 

 

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Cinnamon

 

Health Benefits: Cinnamon is an anti-microbial food that can stop the

growth of bacteria, fungi and yeast. A study in the August 2003

International Journal of Food Microbiology also found that a few drops

of cinnamon essential oil added to carrot broth was able to effectively

preserve the food and fight pathogenic organisms--all while improving

the flavor of the broth.

 

It also has anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory properties, which help

prevent unwanted clumping of blood platelets. And, it may help boost

brain function.

 

People with diabetes should also take note that cinnamon is a useful

tool to help control blood sugar. A study in the December 2003 Diabetes

Care found that eating one to six grams of cinnamon daily significantly

reduced blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Meanwhile, it

also reduced their triglyceride levels, LDL (bad) cholesterol and total

cholesterol levels.

 

Plus, a study in the February 2004 Hormone Metabolism Research found

that this tasty spice appears to prevent insulin resistance even in

animals eating a high-fructose diet.

 

And that's not all. Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant. A study in the

Journal of Nutrition found that out of all spices, cinnamon is one of

the richest sources of disease-fighting antioxidants.

 

How it's Used: Cinnamon comes ground and in sticks, and can be used in

Mexican, Middle Eastern and other ethnic dishes, curries, vegetables,

tea, beverages, and of course, desserts.

 

Interesting Tidbit: In traditional Chinese medicine, cinnamon is used in

a tea along with ginger to fight the onset of colds and flu.

 

 

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Turmeric

 

Health Benefits: Curcumin, which gives turmeric its bright yellow color,

is thought to be the active ingredient in this spice. It's a potent

anti-inflammatory that studies have found is just as effective as drugs

like hydrocortisone, phenylbutazone and Motrin. This spice has been

found to be helpful in fighting inflammatory bowel diseases, including

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic

fibrosis, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. It's also shown promise in

offering cardiovascular and liver protection.

 

How it's Used: Turmeric powder can be added to rice dishes, egg salad,

salad dressings, curries, beans and sauces. It has a warm, peppery

flavor similar to ginger and orange.

 

Interesting Tidbit: Turmeric is the spice commonly used in curries that

gives them their yellow color. It's also what makes traditional mustard

yellow!

 

 

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Sage

 

Health Benefits: Sage is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It

contains flavonoids, phenolic acids and oxygen-handling enzymes, all of

which give it a unique ability to prevent oxygen-based damage to cells.

Sage may be useful in fighting rheumatoid arthritis and other

inflammatory conditions, bronchial asthma and atherosclerosis.

 

Sage also appears to promote better brain function. A study in the June

2003 Pharmacological Biochemical Behavior found that people given sage

essential oil extracts had significantly improved recall abilities

compared to those given a placebo.

 

How it's Used: Sage's subtle, sweet flavor makes it a very versatile

herb. It can be added to soups, sauces, salad dressings, meat dishes,

casseroles, vegetables, eggs, salads and more.

 

Interesting Tidbit: Sage means " to be saved. " Because sage is so

effective in protecting oxygen-based damage, several companies have been

conducting experiments using sage as a natural additive to cooking oils

to extend shelf life and prevent the oils from going rancid.

 

 

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Red Chili Peppers

 

Health Benefits: These peppers, which include the popular cayenne

pepper, contain capsaicin, an anti-inflammatory compound that helps with

pain relief. Chili peppers have been found to help:

 

Clear congestion by clearing mucus from the lungs and nose

 

Boost immunity

 

Prevent stomach ulcers by killing bacteria

 

Help with weight loss

 

Reduce blood cholesterol, triglyceride levels and platelet aggregation

 

Prevent cancers, including stomach cancer

 

Relieve pain

 

How it's Used: Chili peppers are, of course, great in Mexican dishes,

but that's not all. Try them with other vegetables, tuna salad, chili,

corn bread, dips, curries, soups, sauces and more.

 

Interesting Tidbit: The hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it

contains. Some of the hottest chili peppers out there are the habañero,

Scotch bonnet, and jalapeño peppers.

 

 

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Parsley

 

Health Benefits: Chief among parsley's beneficial properties is its

ability to fight cancer. Animal studies have shown that it can inhibit

tumor formation, particularly in the lungs. It's also known to

neutralize carcinogens including those found in cigarette smoke and

charcoal grill smoke.

 

Parsley is also a rich source of antioxidants and heart-protective

nutrients including vitamin C, beta-carotene and folic acid.

 

How it's Used: Parsley comes in two popular varieties, curly and flat

leaf. Fresh parsley is more flavorful than the dried variety. The curly

version tends to have a more intense flavor than the flat-leaf variety.

Use it in soups, salads and casseroles, or to top fish, meat, potatoes,

vegetables and more.

 

Interesting Tidbit: Parsley is a great breath freshener at the end of a

meal.

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html