Yesterday, while waiting in line at my neighborhood Whole Foods I ran across Natural Health magazine and their article on health boosting spices. These spices not only give a unique flare to any dish, but also have documented health benefits.
If you are like me you walk by the spice rack in the grocery store and wonder how to use half of the exotic spices available. Luckily, Natural Health magazine has given us the inside scoop on pairing food and spices, so your next cooking concoction will be fabulous!!
Here are the most beneficial spices:
Allspice:
Origin: Jamaica, Central and South America
Flavor: Peppery sweetness
Bioactive Ingredients: Eugenol, myrcene
Health Benefits: Improves digestion, relieves joint pain
Use It With: Shellfish, squash, beef
Cardamom:
Origin: Southern India
Flavor: Orangey, with strong, aromatic sweetness
Bioactive Ingredient: Cineol
Health Benefits: Soothes indigestion, relieves gas, freshens breath
Use It With: Rice, coffee, root vegetables
Cayenne:
Origin: French Guiana
Flavor: Biting warmth
Bioactive Ingredient: Capsaicin
Health Benefits: Reduces pain, boosts mood and metabolism, anti-inflammatory
Use It With: Poultry, salad dressing, chili
Origin: Southern India
Flavor: Orangey, with strong, aromatic sweetness
Bioactive Ingredient: Cineol
Health Benefits: Soothes indigestion, relieves gas, freshens breath
Use It With: Rice, coffee, root vegetables
Cayenne:
Origin: French Guiana
Flavor: Biting warmth
Bioactive Ingredient: Capsaicin
Health Benefits: Reduces pain, boosts mood and metabolism, anti-inflammatory
Use It With: Poultry, salad dressing, chili
Cinnamon:
Origin: Sri Lanka
Flavor: Warm and sweet
Bioactive Ingredients: Cinnamaldehyde, eugenol
Health Benefits: Improves insulin sensitivity, reduces cholesterol, antimicrobial
Origin: Sri Lanka
Flavor: Warm and sweet
Bioactive Ingredients: Cinnamaldehyde, eugenol
Health Benefits: Improves insulin sensitivity, reduces cholesterol, antimicrobial
Cloves:
Origin: Indonesia
Flavor: Intensely pungent
Bioactive Ingredient: Eugenol
Health Benefits: Antiseptic, antimicrobial, relieves toothaches
Use It With: Pumpkin, marinades, pie
Origin: Indonesia
Flavor: Intensely pungent
Bioactive Ingredient: Eugenol
Health Benefits: Antiseptic, antimicrobial, relieves toothaches
Use It With: Pumpkin, marinades, pie
Ginger:
Origin: Southeast Asia
Flavor: Warm and tangy
Bioactive Ingredient: Gingerol
Health Benefits: Relieves nausea, eliminates gastrointestinal distress, anti-inflammatory
Use It With: Fruit salad, stir-fry, seafood
Origin: Southeast Asia
Flavor: Warm and tangy
Bioactive Ingredient: Gingerol
Health Benefits: Relieves nausea, eliminates gastrointestinal distress, anti-inflammatory
Use It With: Fruit salad, stir-fry, seafood
Nutmeg:
Origin: Indonesia
Flavor: Robust sweetness
Bioactive Ingredient: Myristicin
Health Benefits: Treats diarrhea and colic, anti-inflammatory
Use It With: Sliced fruit, oatmeal, smoothies
Paprika:
Origin: South America
Flavor: Bittersweet
Bioactive Ingredient: Capsaicin
Health Benefits: Relieves cold and fever, soothes upset stomach, anti-inflammatory
Use It With: Popcorn, meat rubs, roasted nuts
Origin: South America
Flavor: Bittersweet
Bioactive Ingredient: Capsaicin
Health Benefits: Relieves cold and fever, soothes upset stomach, anti-inflammatory
Use It With: Popcorn, meat rubs, roasted nuts
Turmeric:
Origin: Southern India, Indonesia
Flavor: Musty and bitter
Bioactive Ingredient: Curcumin
Health Benefits: Defends against cancer, relieves arthritis pain, eases indigestion
Use It With: Tofu, quinoa, poultry
Origin: Southern India, Indonesia
Flavor: Musty and bitter
Bioactive Ingredient: Curcumin
Health Benefits: Defends against cancer, relieves arthritis pain, eases indigestion
Use It With: Tofu, quinoa, poultry
