Which seasonings are healthy

You can read more about the impressive health benefits of cinnamon in this article. Bottom Line: Cinnamon has numerous health benefits, and is particularly effective at lowering blood sugar levels.

It had a strong reputation for its healing properties during the middle ages, and was even used to help prevent the plague. Sage inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine Other studies have also shown that sage can improve memory function in healthy people, both young and old 14 , As is the case with many herbs, it is the oily component that contains the agents responsible for the health effects. Many studies have shown that peppermint oil can improve pain management in irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS 16 , 17 , It appears to work by relaxing the smooth muscles in the colon, which relieves pain experienced during bowel movements.

It also helps to reduce abdominal bloating , which is a common digestive symptom 19 , In a study of over 1, women in labor, peppermint aromatherapy caused significant reductions in nausea. It has also been shown to reduce nausea after surgery and C-section births 21 , 22 , 23 , It also has potent anti-nausea effects when used in aromatherapy.

It contains several compounds with medicinal properties, the most important of which is curcumin This is important, because oxidative damage is believed to be one of the key mechanisms behind ageing and many diseases. Curcumin is also strongly anti-inflammatory, to the point where it matches the effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs Given that long-term, low-level inflammation plays a major role in almost every chronic Western disease, it is not suprising to see that curcumin is linked to a variety of health benefits.

Bottom Line: Studies have shown that curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, has major benefits for many aspects of health. Not to be confused with regular basil or thai basil, holy basil is considered a sacred herb in India.

Studies show that holy basil can inhibit the growth of a range of bacteria, yeasts and molds 37 , One small study also found that it can boost function of the immune system by increasing certain immune cells in the blood Holy basil is also linked to reduced blood sugar levels before and after meals, as well as treating anxiety and anxiety-related depression 40 , However, these studies were quite small, and more research is needed before any recommendations can be made.

Bottom Line: Holy basil appears to improve immune function and inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeasts and molds. The active ingredient in it is called capsaicin, which has been shown to reduce appetite and increase fat burning in many studies 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , One study found that adding 1 gram of red pepper to meals reduced appetite and increased fat burning in people who did not regularly eat peppers Scans of their brain indicated significantly fewer markers associated with cognitive decline.

Because of its anti-inflammatory qualities, curcumin is also effective at reducing pain and swelling in people with arthritis. And animal studies indicate that curcumin could have powerful anti-cancer properties. A Johns Hopkins study found that a combination of curcumin and a chemotherapy drug was more effective at shrinking drug-resistant tumors than using chemotherapy alone.

Meal tip: Want to add this powerhouse spice to your diet? Rub it on roasted vegetables and meats, sprinkle it in tacos or create a curry. In the U. You can also purchase the dried powder in the spice aisle of the grocery store, or buy it fresh to make teas or grate into recipes. Research has found that ginger is effective at calming pregnancy-related nausea and reducing tummy upset after surgery.

Some studies have also found that ginger cuts the severity of motion sickness or prevents the symptoms altogether. It may even help with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting when taken along with anti-nausea medications. Ask your doctor first before taking ginger while on chemotherapy drugs, as it can have a negative interaction with certain medications.

Meal tip: Work this zingy spice into your diet by adding it to stir-fry dishes, smoothies or sipping it in tea. You can also add it to homemade salad dressings and baked goods. Most of us are familiar with garlic, the strong-smelling bulb frequently used in cooking.

But what you might not know is that eating garlic may protect your heart from changes that lead to heart disease. As you age, some hardening of the arteries is normal. This is called atherosclerosis and occurs as fatty deposits made up of cholesterol and other substances build up on the inside of your artery walls. Factors such as smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can make it worse. As the build-up increases over time, the arteries narrow.

This can make you susceptible to heart attacks and strokes. Researchers have linked garlic intake with keeping blood vessels flexible, especially in women.

In addition, studies suggest that eating garlic may reduce cholesterol and triglycerides. Garlic is a key ingredient in the Mediterranean diet , an eating style that heart doctors often recommend. Then keep challenging your taste buds. You probably have some of these in your spice cabinet already. These common pantry staples are widely used in recipes and enjoyed by most people, making them a fairly safe bet to try if you are new to the seasoning world.

Skip the salt in the cooking process to cut back on sodium and instead, add a sprinkling to your meal right before you eat. This won't add much sodium, but will really open up the flavors and bring some life to any pre-cooked dish. Try a nice finishing salt like Maldon sea salt flakes, or pink Himalayan salt. Kosher salt is the staple salt used across the culinary industry. Ditch the regular table iodized salt. Two reasons. These fragrant seasonings tend to have a floral, hearty, and sometimes herb-like scent and flavor that can bring a heart-warming and fragrant taste to grain dishes, baked goods, and many proteins.

While many seasonings can add warmth and spice to your dish, there are really only two common dried seasonings that will turn up the heat heat as in piquancy. Use these in moderation to add some serious kick to your meals.

In my cooking, a piquant factor is always present. I like to say that piquancy always adds a good spice to life. Similar to aromatic spices, earthy spices also add some warmth, hearty, and deep flavor with more earthy tasting seasonings.

These are labeled 'earthy' because of the resemblance of where they come from. The tones of flavor closely mimic the soil of earth in a savory way. These tend to pair well with proteins and more savory dishes - think stews, crackpot dishes, and chili. Smokey seasonings are those known to have a vague but close resemblance of aroma to wood. Use this with grilled proteins, roasted veggies, and tomato based stews and chili.

While these are not "sweet" like sugar, they can add a slight touch of sweetness and spice to your dish. Note that some of these may be repeated from other sections. This is due to the fact that spices range in various aroma and flavors. Cardamon though smokey, is also used to increase sweeter notes in various Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines.

Don't think too much into it, but know that one spice may provide a variety of flavor tonalities. Add some zing and a hint of citrus using either of these spices.

Zest in itself adds both a citric and slightly sour factor to dishes. Much like a straight acid, zest is a great addition to round up dishes and brighten them up.

A small amount goes a long way, so don't over do it! Get creative and out of your comfort zone with more hard-to-find seasonings like these. Used in many staple dishes around the world, trying some more international flavors can add a hint of Indian, Asian, or Latin to your meals. Seasoning blends pack the most flavor. Pair the following with a hint of salt and you're good to go! Try these different blends on various proteins and meals to see what suits your fancy.