With so many spices out there, you’re probably confused about which to go for. Chili, turmeric, sage, ginger, name it; they are all spices but come with different flavors and health benefits.
You see, spices are one of the most underlooked and underused sources of nutrients. They do not only spice up your menu with amazing flavors but also fill you with many amazing health benefits. Think about lower blood sugar and anti-inflammation, among others.
So out of the hundreds, what are the best spices you don’t want your kitchen to lack? We have reviewed and discussed 7 below. Read on.
Best spices and their health benefits
1. Turmeric
Turmeric has become a giant in the world of epicures, and for good reason. Firstly, turmeric is super easy to add to different dishes, enabling you to reap its benefits with virtually every dish you prepare.
Okay, on to the benefits! Notably, turmeric has incredible anti-inflammatory properties. It contains curcumin as its main active constituent, which also gives the spice its distinctive yellow color.
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric make the spice beneficial to people battling rheumatism. The curcumin content also makes turmeric effective for healing leaky gout, slowing down aging, improving digestion, and addressing many autoimmune issues.
Without a doubt, turmeric is one incredible spice your kitchen and health could do very well with.
2. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has grown immensely popular as a medicinal herb and spice, especially among diabetic patients or people at risk of the disease. Some doctors and alternative nurses may even recommend it. The reason is this: cinnamon is highly effective in lowering and controlling blood sugar levels.
Notably, cinnamon contains a compound known as cinnamaldehyde, which gives it its antioxidant properties, helping to fight inflammation, lower cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Cinnamon lowers blood sugar in different ways. One of the mechanisms is by slowing down the breakdown of carbs, therefore reducing the amount of sugar in the blood.
3. Ginger
Whether fresh or ground, ginger offers so many benefits. It is a versatile spice that works well with different dishes. You can even use it in tea or essential oils.
Notably, ginger can help improve running or aching stomach. But it does so much more. What makes ginger one of the best spices out there is its ability to prevent ulcers, soften menstrual cramps, and reduce inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein.
If you have diarrhea, you can eat food spiced with ginger to relieve the upset. Ginger tea is also great at suppressing flu symptoms.
Ginger contains high amounts of potassium, copper, iron, and magnesium. Since it can be used raw, you can derive the nutrients in larger amounts than most other spices.
4. Sage
Sage is one of the best spices to use. In short, if you’re a spice lover and care about your brain health, sage should be at the top of your ingredient list. Why?
Sage derives its name from Salvere, Latin for “to save.”
It was given that name by people of the Middle Ages who thought it to have healing powers. Although they weren’t entirely correct, that’s not too far from the truth.
New research suggests that sage effectively improves memory and brain function, preventing Alzheimer’s disease. It improves memory function in both young and old people.
5. Chili
Although chili sits fifth on this list, remember, it’s in no way less potent than those above it. The list is in no particular order.
Chili deserves its place as one of the most amazing spices for the tremendous immune boost it offers. With the hot sting it brings, chili is a simple yet exciting way to spice things up, especially during the colder months.
Chili is derived from fresh peppers, so you can also enjoy the benefits from the fresh veggies directly.
This may shock you: pepper contains more vitamin C than an orange. So if you want all the benefits of vitamin c (such as anti-oxidation, lower blood pressure, and anti-inflammation), consider eating more pepper/chili than you’ve ever done.
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6. Holy basil
Holy basil is notable for its antibacterial and antidepressant properties. Studies show that it can impede the growth of several kinds of bacteria and boost immunity by increasing immune cells.
Furthermore, holy basil may help reduce blood sugar levels before and after meals, which is beneficial to diabetic patients. But what makes holy basil a most extraordinary spice is its striking potential to treat anxiety and depression.
Studies on the herb are quite small at this time. Hopefully, we may get to see recommendations if more positive results emerge from future research.
Note: holy basil isn’t the same as regular (Thai) basil. Holy basil is native to India and is considered sacred — or holy.
7. Peppermint
You may or may not be familiar with peppermint, but it’s one of the best spices to try. Several studies show that peppermint [oil] can relieve pain in people suffering irritable bowel syndrome.
It works by relaxing the colon muscles, thereby relieving the pain felt during bowel movements. Peppermint also fights nausea. So whenever you feel sick or know anyone experiencing pains when their bowels rumble, peppermint is worth trying.
Next steps
These are just a few spices to try if you want to boost your immunity and overall health. But why try them individually and yield few benefits when you can obtain them all at once? With spice blends, you can enrich every meal with all of these health benefits and so much more.
You can get a spice blend containing turmeric, garlic, chili, cinnamon, and ginger, among others. You can mix spices in different combinations, and some blends work better in certain dishes.
Looking to spice up your chicken with incredible tastes and added nutrients?
Best spice blends for chicken rubs and seasonings
With the following spice blends and seasoning, your grilled chicken would become far more irresistible:
- Shawarma blend
- Caujun seasoning
- Katsu curry
- Ras el hanout
- Tandoori spice
Final words
Spices are numerous, and so are their benefits. The best way to obtain as much as possible is by using spice blends in your dishes.
You may try different blends to see which works best for you in terms of flavor and aroma. Great taste, great health benefits; that’s an excellent menu right there!
