10 Spices for Improved Health!

It’s hard to imagine food without spices. They upgrade a boring weeknight dinner to a little party in your mouth. With a bit of experimentation, you can reach a bliss point of taste and aroma, that will take your kitchen to the next level.

As an added bonus, scientific research has shown the benefits of spices in weight loss and general health. Here is a list of spices that will help you on your health journey.
1. Black Pepper – Probably the most popular spice in the world, black pepper has an impact on satiety, thermogenesis, and fat oxidation. Basically, it can boost your metabolism, causing you to burn more calories.

2. Ginger – the ginger root is a cornerstone of Asian cooking, imparting a slightly sweet, slightly hot flavor. You can keep a fresh ginger root in the fridge for several weeks, or opt for always-available ground ginger powder. Ginger has a thermogenic effect and can help reduce appetite.
3. Cinnamon is a versatile spice that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It may help help manage diabetes by reducing blood glucose and bad cholesterol. Add cinnamon to your breakfast oats, hot milk, cakes and pies, or meat marinades.
4. Turmeric – There’s no mistaking the bright orange powder. Turmeric is used in Indian and other dishes for both flavor and intense color. Curcumin, the active element in turmeric helps reduce inflammation which can lead to weight gain. Add turmeric to rice or use it to temper oil before sautéing onions and garlic.
5. Cumin can be used both as seed or ground into a powder. It is a pungent and powerful spice commonly used in Indian, North African and Mexican dishes. Cumin may help manage glucose levels and weight for people living with diabetes. Cumin aids digestion and work as an antiseptic. Try cumin powder sprinkled on hummus, popcorn, or pita bread with a dash of olive oil.
6. Red pepper flakes (Chili) – spicy hot food helps the body sweat and potentially remove toxins. And there’s nothing like chili pepper to make one’s mouth set fire. Chili is thermogenic and can help suppress appetite. Add to any dish to increase flavor and decrease the need for salt
7. Garlic – There’s no mistaking garlic when added to a dish. It is available as cloves, frozen minced, or as powder. Although technically garlic is neither an herb nor a spice, you’ll often find garlic in the household spice rack. Garlic can help metabolize fats and carbs more effectively. It helps reduce body fat creation.
8. Mustard Seeds have a thermogenic effect on the body, which means they help burn more calories. Add them to potato salad for an extra kick, or blend mustard powder with low-fat yogurt and olive oil to create a spicy salad dressing.
9. Coriander seeds – better known for its pungent leaves, coriander also offers us its seeds as a food flavor enhancer. The seeds have been shown to help with weight management, blood glucose levels. They are very high in antioxidants as well. Use powdered coriander seeds in Asian dishes and soups.
10. Nutmeg – use either the ground powder or whole nut (which needs to be grated). Nutmeg is a delicate spice to add to vegetarian dishes and creamy pasta sauces. It has high level of antioxidants and has been shown to aid digestion and boost the immune system.

What’s your most commonly used spice?