They say that the fresher and more organic your food is, the healthier. In recent years, health and fitness fans, as well as medical scientists, have believed in the logic of eating organic foods for good health.
Fruits and vegetables are few examples of whole foods that can keep us fit and healthy. In fact, the idea of eating more superfoods can help prevent various major illnesses like diabetes, heart diseases, obesity, joint pains, high blood pressure and many more.
However, despite the popularity of superfoods, one of the sources that are incredibly rich in nutrients that have often been overlooked come in the form of herbs and spices. For centuries, various herbs and spices have been infused in several dishes and also used as a form of traditional medicine to treat many kinds of ailments. Without these herbs and spices, the food that we eat would just taste bland and dull.
The trend of herbs and spices right now
Currently, modern science has attested to the amazing benefits that herbs and spices bring especially when it comes to our health.
Below are the top ten healthiest herbs and spices in the world and what health benefits they contain with support from medical and scientific research.
- Cinnamon
It is one of the most well-known spice because of its flavorful and decadent aroma and taste. Cinnamon is usually added in baked goods and recipes. It is also seen in warm beverages like coffee.
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What does cinnamon do?
Cinnamon contains antioxidants that help lower inflammation in the body. It also helps reduce cholesterol levels as well. The medicinal property contained in cinnamon is a compound known as cinnamaldehyde, which is what helps prevent our body from getting sick.
Another unique feature in cinnamon is its ability to lower blood sugar levels. This spice does so by breaking down carbs slowly in our digestive area which then improves our sensitivity to insulin. Studies have shown the profound effect cinnamon has on diabetes patients by lowering blood sugar levels up to 29%.
- Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that is well-known to Indian and Arabian cultures. It is a spice that is added to curry to give its yellow color.
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What does turmeric do?
Turmeric is one of the world’s healthiest spice because it contains a powerful antioxidant called curcumin among other medicinal compounds. Curcumin is considered powerful because of its ability to fight oxidative stress caused by free radicals. In this way, curcumin is important because oxidative stress is the common culprit for rapid aging and other diseases.
Several scientific studies have also reported that including turmeric into the diet can significantly improve our brain’s functions by preventing Alzheimer’s as well as prevent risks of cancer and heart disease.
- Ginger
For many years, ginger is well-known as an herb used in ancient medicine. Not only that, ginger is popular as a culinary ingredient to add a spicy kick to many dishes.
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What does ginger do?
Despite its popularity in the kitchen, ginger is also hailed as an herb that contains medicinal properties. For centuries, taking ginger is known consistently to treat nausea and improve digestion.
Not only that, ginger contains anti-inflammatory elements that can help with managing body pains. There are some studies that show a significant decrease in colon cancer risks. Moreover, ginger is also an effective remedy for treating body pains similar to ibuprofen or aspirin.
- Sage
The name of this spice is taken from a word in Latin known as Salvere or translated as “to save” in English. Sage was one of the spices used in the middle century as a means to prevent the spread of plague because of its healing properties.
Several scientific research has reported that sage can potentially improve our brain’s functions as well as our memory, particularly in Alzheimer’s patients. It can also help improve memory even for people who are healthy, both old and young.
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- Cayenne Pepper
For people who love spicy dishes, cayenne pepper is the best spice to add. It is essentially a kind of chili pepper.
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What does Cayenne Pepper do?
Capsaicin is the active ingredient contained in cayenne pepper. Capsaicin is known to help suppress appetite and supports weight loss by rapid fat burning. It is because of this reason cayenne pepper is an ingredient commonly found in supplements for weight loss.
Other scientific studies have also discovered capsaicin’s potential ability to fight certain types of cancer such as prostate, lung, and liver.
- Rosemary
Rosemary is also a kind of spice that is added in many culinary dishes because of its unique and fragrant woody odor.
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What does Rosemary do?
Even though rosemary is a popular spice used in cooking, it also contains healthy benefits. It is known to help lessen allergy symptoms as well loosen up a clogged nose. It is because of its active medicinal ingredient known as rosmarinic acid.
- Garlic
For more than a thousand years, garlic is actually known as an herb used for treating ailments before becoming a popular cooking ingredient.
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What does garlic do?
Garlic contains an active therapeutic ingredient known as allicin, which is also what gives garlic its unique and pungent smell.
However, this active ingredient is known to fight bacteria causing sickness like the common cold or flu.
Not only that, but eating garlic is also shown to significantly lower cholesterol as well as blood pressure levels, based on scientific research.
- Basil
There are many types of basil available. However, one particular basil that is an effective herb for the health is known as holy basil. In India, holy basil is considered a kind of sacred spice or herb.
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What does holy basil do?
Several studies have shown that holy basil has the ability to cease the growth of different types of bacteria including molds and yeasts. Not only that, but holy basil can also potentially strengthen the immune functions by increasing the levels of the blood’s immune cells.
Taking holy basil is also known to lower blood sugar levels and can also treat anxiety and depression effectively.
- Peppermint
Peppermint is a known herb for traditional medicine as well as aromatherapy.
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What does peppermint do?
Like most herbs, the oil extracts in peppermint is what gives it its positive health effects. Peppermint oil or extract is known to help manage pain especially in problems like irritable bowel syndrome. It can also promote relaxation in the colon muscles while reducing bloating in the abdominal region.
Moreover, peppermint can also help in easing nausea and is an ideal solution for aromatherapy and induce relaxation.
- Fenugreek
Fenugreek is a spice that popular in Ayurveda culture. It is because of its ability to improve libido and enhance masculinity in men.
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What does fenugreek do?
Although the results of its effects on testosterone are indefinite, fenugreek seems to possess the ability to lower blood sugar levels. It is because it contains 4-hydroxyisoleucine, which is a plant protein that improves insulin functions.
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