Did you know the ginger you use to cook your favorite dish also has immunogenic properties to save you from some viral diseases? Yes, it is indeed true that the spices we use in everyday cooking have several health benefits. Keep on reading the article to learn more about the surprising health benefit of spices.
There are different types of spices that one can use for health and healing. Many of these have also been proven by modern science to have significant health advantages.
Spices have been used in health and healing for an extended period. They also enhance the taste of culinary delicacies. The initial use of spice herbs began as a herbal cure for people’s ailments of the early time era.
We have incorporated spices, which possess antioxidants, antitumorigenic, and anticarcinogenic properties, even without knowledge. Some other properties of spices also are these lower activities of glucose and cholesterol.
These spice herbs also consist of polyphenols which give them excellent antioxidant properties. Some spices also have vitamin C and beta-carotene, which are essential vitamins in everyday life.
Majorly the spices like ginger, garlic, turmeric, and cinnamon have been widely used in ayurvedic medicine from an early time. Some of the other spices also includes fenugreek, rosemary and pepper. Keep on reading to know more about health benefits of spices. Truemedical yasmin
Spices and Their Beneficial Compounds:
| Spices | Beneficial Compounds |
| Cinnamon | Cinnamaldehyde, Procyanidin |
| Black Pepper | Piperine, Limonene, Beta-Caryophyllene |
| Turmeric | Curcumin, Capsaicin |
| Ginger | Gingerol, Shogaol, Zerumbone |
| Garlic | Allicin |
| Rosemary | Rosmarinic Acid |
| Fenugreek | 4-hydroxy isoleucine, Isovitexin, Rhaponticin |
| Pepper | Capsaicin, Curcumin |
| Onion | Polyphenols, Flavonoids, Flavonols |
Some of the Health Benefits of Spices are:
1. Turmeric:
Turmeric is known to possess several healtTurmeric is known to possess several health benefits, and hence it is widely used in food. Curcumin is a good antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory substance. Some research articles have also found that Curcumin in turmeric is beneficial against diseases like Alzheimer’s, gastric ulcer, cystic fibrosis, hemorrhoids, arthritis, and liver diseases.
2. Black Pepper
Black pepper consists of a compound called Piperine which is beneficial. It also enhances the absorption of another anti-inflammatory compound called Curcumin. In addition, the extracts from black pepper resist about 93% of free radical damage. The essential oils like limonene in pepper also have anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Basil
Basil is a herb majorly used in Italian dishes as it elevates the level of taste. However, basil also has beneficial usage in your health too. The researchers believe this herb boosts the function of the immune system by increasing the level of immune cells in the blood. Besides, another benefits of this spices is that it also contributes to reducing blood sugar levels and reduces depression related to anxiety.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a very aromatic and flavorful spice that justifies its use in savory as well as sweet dishes. This spic gets its aroma and flavor from cinnamaldehyde. Cinnamaldehyde is a compound that possesses several health benefits to our body. Procyanidin’s bioactive compound in cinnamon beholds antioxidation capabilities. It is effective in lowering the level of cholesterol in blood. It is also effective in lowering triglycerides in the blood. The consumption of cinnamon in reasonable amounts also increases the blow flow in coronary blood vessels.
5. Sage
Researchers have found sage beneficial in improving the brain’s functioning and enhancing memory. This spice also breaks down the chemical messenger acetylcholine, a significant factor responsible for Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Peppermint
People use peppermint widely for medicinal as well as aromatic therapy. The essential oils in this spice also effectively support the pain in irritable bowel management by relaxing the smooth muscle of the intestine. It is also effective in reducing abdominal bloating. In fact, in aromatherapy, peppermint has been proved to be effective in dealing with fighting nausea.
7. Chili Pepper
Chili pepper is effective for weight loss along with enhancing the taste of the food. It has an active ingredient called capsaicin. This compound is effective in burning fat. Hence, capsaicin is also an active constituent of weight loss supplements. Consuming chili pepper is also helpful in fighting different forms of cancer.
8. Ginger
Ginger isn’t just a spice but a known herbal medicine for an extended period. People often use it to cure colds and coughs because of its anti-inflammatory properties. These properties also help with pain management and treat nausea. According to a study, consuming two grams of ginger every day reduces the risk of colon cancer. Along with ginger, a mixture of spice herbs like cinnamon, sesame oil, and mastic can reduce pain in patients with osteoarthritis.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary is an excellent immunogenic spice that can suppress several allergic reactions. This herb is also effective against Nasal congestion. This herb is a robust cognitive stimulant that can improve the memory performance of the brain. Antioxidants in rosemary are also supposed to improve blood circulation and improve immunity.
10. Garlic
Consuming garlic in your food has several health benefits. People often use it in their households to improve digestion after finishing a heavy meal. And they also consume it to combat the common cold and related sicknesses. A good amount of garlic supplement is effective in lowering blood pressure. It has also been proved effective in reducing the level of total cholesterol in adults with high levels of blood cholesterol. An active compound called allicin in garlic also imparts most of the medicinal benefits of the spice.
11. Onion
Onion is another majorly used spice that has several health benefits. It has an antioxidant called Rhapontincin. Onion also contains an antitumorigenic compound called Isovitexin. These components help decrease blood pressure. They are also responsible for cleansing the lymphatic vessels. The element in onion also has a hypoglycemic effect as well.
12. Fenugreek
Fenugreek is a prominent spice used to cook most curries in Southeast Asian culture. It is supposed to be very effective in enhancing libido. Fenugreek also enhances masculinity. This spice also consists of a plant protein called 4-hydroxy isoleucine. This is the protein which improves the functioning of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the blood sugar level. That’s why people assume that consuming a gram of fenugreek extract in a daily diet can control the blood sugar level of diabetic people. Fenugreek also helps in reducing blood sugar, raising testosterone, and increasing milk production in breastfeeding mothers.
