Top Five Spices That Can Benefit Your Health

Almost every home chef has a cabinet full of spices used to add balance and flavor to meals, but did you know that some also have health benefits? Here are the top five spices that manage to be delicious and good for you at the same time.

Cinnamon

Studies have shown that cinnamon helps to regulate blood sugar, which is especially helpful for people with type 2 diabetes. It also has been proven to reduce arthritis pain in patients in as little as one week. Cinnamon is also a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium. In order to get your daily dose of cinnamon you can add it to coffee, sprinkle it over cereal or add it to plain yogurt for a tasty and healthy start to your day.

Parsley

Parsley is rich in antioxidants which would be a great health benefit on its own, but it also has been shown to help prevent the growth of some cancers. In addition to this, parsley is an anti-inflammatory which combats the onset of bone and joint disorders such as arthritis. Parsley is also high in vitamin K which helps to strengthen bones. Try making tabbouleh instead of a traditional salad for a dish that is rich in both health benefits and flavor.

Turmeric

Turmeric has been used for its health benefits since ancient times, but modern studies have shown that turmeric can do far more than originally believed. It prevents the onset and spread of many types of cancer, including childhood leukemia and breast cancer. Like parsley, it is an anti-inflammatory that is used by many patients who suffer from arthritis pain. It also may prevent the onset and progression of Alzheimer's as well as aid in weight management. Try your hand at Indian cooking to incorporate turmeric into your diet, or simply add to egg salad for a new twist on an old favorite.

Garlic

In addition to warding off vampires for centuries, garlic has many benefits that extend to the average person. It has been shown to assist in the management of blood pressure and cholesterol levels and is a natural antioxidant. Garlic helps reduce the risk of strokes due to the fact that it helps to prevent blood clots from forming. Raw, crushed garlic can also be used as a broad spectrum antibiotic. In order to incorporate more garlic into your diet, try making a garlic spread that can be used on bread or as a vegetable dip.

Oregano

Oregano is fiber rich, which helps to aid digestion and can lower your risk of diabetes and heart disease. It is also high in iron, manganese, vitamin K, omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Oregano contains the essential oil, thymol, which has been found to be an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent. Some delicious uses for oregano are to sauté it with mushrooms, add to a salad dressing or simply sprinkle it on top of your favorite pizza slice.