Spice

June 5, 2008 |

Spices can be great for health. Here is a glossary of a few of them and how they can help make up a healthy diet:

Cayenne Pepper - A spice with a zing, causing some of you to shy away from. However, it is excellent fat burning abilities and is known to help shed pounds by as much as 25%.

Ginger - Ginger can help provide you with relief from nausea. It calms the stomach down and helps your acid reflux. It’s good for helping women through the days of morning sickness during pregnancy and for the dreaded motion sickness that you suffer from when travelling.

Cinnamon – Cinnamon is helpful in cases of diarrhea attacks and in upset stomachs. It can also help boost your metabolism a little. Hence, consider sprinkling it on your oatmeal to help you rev up your body’s calorie-burning furnace for the day.

Garlic - Garlic is anti-bacterial. It can also help keep your cholesterol levels in check, reduce blood pressure and is said to be helpful for diabetics.

Turmeric - This is an antioxidant that defends against free radicals. It makes for an added asset to fight off certain types of cancer.

Allspice – Allspice is another healthful spice. It’s a stimulant that can help relieve problems with indigestion and gas.

Peppermint - Peppermint is refreshing and helps with insomnia. As an added benefit, it can help with digestive disorders and also bouts of tension.

Mustard - This is an excellent spice for those who suffer from respiratory problems. It’s another stimulant that is a helpful aid in squashing respiratory ailments.

Spices are often used to zest up our food dishes. Because of their additional health benefits, the next time you’re planning your dinner menu, consider this: “What spice can I use to improve my health when I spice up our favorite recipes tonight?”