Tapping into the healthy spices trend
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
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In case you haven’t noticed, healthy eating and healthy living is “in” and with it comes this spice trend. More and more people are turning to spices to enhance their meals instead of sugar and salt.
“Americans love flavorful foods,” says Tammy Katz, chief executive at Katz Marketing Solutions, a food and beverage marketing consulting firm in Columbus, Ohio. In addition, “nutritionally conscious consumers are increasingly aware of the health benefits of these spices.” Because spices add flavor, there’s no need to overload food with sugar or salt. And some spices like ginger and turmeric are thought to benefit digestion and decrease inflammation, respectively, Katz says. (Entrepreneur.com)
Spices provide anti-inflammatory benefits, act as anti-oxidants, balance blood sugars, and can improve circulation as well as cardiovascular health. Best of all, these crucial benefits are available to all without needless fat and calories.
Here is a list of spices from Smith & Truslow (http://www.smithandtruslow.com/health_benefits.php) and their health benefits:
| Spice | Health Benefits |
| Allspice | Antiseptic; anesthetic; balances blood sugar |
| Anise Seed | Alleviates symptoms of asthma and congestion; laxative |
| Anise Star | Diuretic, reduces gas |
| Basil | Anti-inflammatory; antioxidant, strengthens defenses against asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis |
| Bay Leaf | Balances blood sugar and retards weight gain; sedative; may help reduce high blood pressure |
| Cardamom | Reduces heartburn and helps digest grains |
| Cayenne | Anti-inflammatory; improves circulation; enhances memory; opens respiratory passages |
| Celery Seed | Helps relieve symptoms of gout, insomnia, and kidney stones |
| Chili Peppers | Anti-inflammatory; provides pain relief; improves circulation; enhances memory; opens respiratory passages; may fight prostate cancer and ulcers |
| Chives | May decrease risk of prostate cancer, and reduce cholesterol |
| Cilantro | Used to regulate digestion and remedy bladder problems; antibacterial that may be an effective natural means of combating salmonella |
| Cinnamon | Antibacterial; balances blood sugar; lowers cholesterol; alleviates congestion; sedative |
| Cloves | Painkiller; alleviates diarrhea and nausea |
| Coriander | Anti-inflammatory; reduces cholesterol; prevents gas; alleviates cramps and gout |
| Cumin | Antiviral; anti-inflammatory; memory enhancer |
| Dill Weed | Antioxidant; helps prevent growth of bacteria |
| Fennel | Relieves congestion, stomach cramps and headaches |
| Fenugreek | Lowers cholesterol; prevents gas; relieves sore throat and congestion; laxative |
| Garlic | Antibacterial; antifungal; antiviral; lowers cholesterol and blood pressure; reduces water retention |
| Ginger | Antibacterial; improves circulation; stimulates lymph glands; alleviates motion sickness and nausea |
| Lavender | Used to treat burns, insomnia, anxiety, migraines, symptoms of menopause and to balance blood sugars |
| Lemon Grass | Promotes digestion of fats, alleviates fevers and menstrual cramps |
| Lemon Peel | Alleviates congestion; cleaning agent; high in vitamin C |
| Marjoram | Antibacterial; antioxidant |
| Mustard | Alleviates congestion, bronchitis, sore throat and arthritis |
| Onion | Antiseptic, reduces high blood pressure, alleviates symptoms of asthma and colds |
| Orange Peel | Helps prevent scurvy and colds; high in vitamin C |
| Oregano | Antibacterial, antioxidant |
| Paprika | Helps heal canker sores; improves circulation; alleviates symptoms of colds and kidney infections |
| Parsley | Antioxidant; helps neutralize certain carcinogens; improves eyesight; promotes kidney and liver health; prevents buildup in arteries |
| Peppercorns | Improves digestion and promotes intestinal health; anti-inflammatory; antioxidant and antibacterial; stimulates the breakdown of fat cells |
| Peppermint | Muscle relaxant; digestive aide; antibacterial; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory |
| Poppy Seed | Stimulates appetite |
| Red Pepper | Anti-inflammatory; improves circulation; enhances memory; opens respiratory passages |
| Rosemary | Stimulates the immune system; improves circulation; improves digestion |
| Sage | Aids digestion of oily and fatty foods; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, improves brain function |
| Sea Salt | Slows bacterial growth; alleviates sore muscles and sore throats |
| Tarragon | Anti fungal; anti-oxidant; sedative |
| Thyme | Antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; antimicrobial; helps digest fatty foods; can kill MRSA infections (staph bacteria) |
| Turmeric | Antioxidant; reduces cholesterol, inflammation, and indigestion; may block the formation of some cancers |