Spices And Your Health Seven Most Potent Disease - Fighting Spices (Part I)Spices And Your Health Seven Most Potent Disease - Fighting Spices (Part I)
Spices can add much more than flavor, color and variety to your
favorite foods. Many have unique health-promoting properties. So if
salt and pepper are the only spices in your kitchen, you're missing out
on a lot 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,'' Accredited to then 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.
Ginger
Health Benefits: The active ingredient in ginger is gingerol, a
compound that is 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.
Usage: 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 beans. Dried ground ginger
is typically used in desserts and baking (gingerbread biscuits, etc.),
Fresh ginger root can also be used to make a soothing ginger tea.
Interestingly, the health benefits of ginger were documented over 2,000 years ago!
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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