Spice it up!
Jan 5th, 2011
You should know by now what the super-foods are but may not be quite as knowledgeable about super-spices. Here are three spices that you should to start incorporating into your diet starting today…
Cayenne Pepper
Capsaicin, the main ingredient in cayenne pepper, may help boost metabolism and relieve an overactive bladder. A powerful anti-inflammatory, cayenne pepper is currently all-the-rage for cleansing and detoxifying regimes such as the Master Cleanse, which uses the spice’s health boosting properties to stimulate circulation and neutralize acidity in the body.
Everyday use: I use it to spice up my scrambled eggs and always include it in my steak rub. Add it to soups, dips, spaghetti sauces, pizza—anything that could use a little kick.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon may actually help people with Type 2 diabetes control blood sugar levels, and may significantly lower LDL “bad” cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty acids in the blood). Cinnamon is also an excellent source of manganese, dietary fiber, iron and calcium. Another added bonus? Most kids LOVE cinnamon so it is quite easy to incorporate it into one of their daily meals.
Everyday use: I sprinkle cinnamon on my coffee grounds every morning. The aroma of the spice can make a chilly morning feel warm and cozy and can actually boost brain activity. You can also shake it on fresh fruit, oatmeal and toast—or add a pinch to your favorite chili recipe.
* I’m a fan of ceylon cinnamon. It is a little more expensive but has the sweeter taste that I prefer. You can typically find it at specialty markets.
Turmeric
The orange-yellow spice turmeric, best known for its role in Indian curries and other Asian dishes, fights cancer because of an active ingredient, curcumin, that’s a powerful antioxidant.
Everyday use: Make curry! Honestly, I was quite stubborn until a couple months to even try curry. But thanks to my wonderful amateur chef of a husband we are eating it at least once a week. You can also try sprinkling it into soups or stir-fry, or mix a quarter-teaspoon into a mug of hot tea and sip just remember to add a little honey to sweeten up the spice!
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Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment
