Spice Up Your Health

Forget the sugar and scoop up some spice because that's what healthy dishes are made of. Seasonings full of antioxidants are stored right there in your spice rack. When we think of healthy foods we go for fruits and vegetables. Historically, various cultures have used spices to help treat ailments. In recent times, scientific findings have shown that spices hold the key to unlocking many health benefits for our bodies.

Researchers are studying different properties of spices and the role they play in inflammation and cancer prevention. McCormick & Company created a science institute dedicated to researching the health benefits of spices and herbs. McCormick's recent press release promotes the use of herbs and spices as a healthier way to improve taste sans sugar and salt. So like super fruits, super spices are packed with health boosting properties.

Cinnamon
A great source of fiber, cinnamon is available all-year long and as a fragrant spice it is commonly used in various foods and drinks. It has special healing abilities which come from the spice's bark. The bark contains three types of essential oils that help to inhibit clotting and control blood sugar. It is also an extremely powerful antioxidant that prevents oxidation more effectively than almost all other spices.
Get a bit of spice: Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter of French toast or waffles

Garlic
This spice is a member of the Allium family which also includes onions. Garlic is a sulfur-rich containing spice that provides cardiovascular benefits and protection against many cancers. It also possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. Garlic has loads of vitamin C which is a major antioxidant that works to prevent the oxidation of the bad cholesterol LDL.
Get a bit of spice: Make an easy garlic dip to enjoy with fresh vegetables

Ginger
An old remedy for nausea and stomach aches used by Asians, ginger is a popular carminative which refers to its use to alleviate intestinal gas. Some other health benefits include the relief of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. It also provides colorectal cancer and ovarian cancer protection.
Get a bit of spice: Mince fresh ginger and add it to stir-fry for some zest

Oregano
The spice can be bought as "oil of oregano" which has been shown to inhibit bacterial growth and it is also loaded with nutrients such as iron, manganese, fiber, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and C. Besides being nutrient-rich, oregano has many phytonutrients that are potent antioxidants beating out apples, potatoes, oranges and blueberries.
Get a bit of spice: Add ¼ oregano leaves to a grilled mozzarella cheese sandwich with tomatoes

Red peppers
Grab the red pepper to spice up dishes with both color and flavor. Red peppers contain lots of vitamins A, C, and K. This spice helps with blood clotting, strengthening bones and preventing certain cancers (e.g. bladder, cervix, pancreatic). Also an antioxidant, red peppers contain the carotenoid, beta-cryptoxanthin, which has been shown to help prevent lung cancer associated with smoking and secondhand smoke.
Get a bit of spice: Add a bit of red to your dish with a sprinkle of paprika, a dash of ground or crushed red pepper

Rosemary
The aroma of rosemary alone will draw just about anyone in but the advantages it offers is icing on the cake. It has substances that help to stimulate the immune system, improve circulation and the anti-inflammatory agent it contains minimizes the severity of asthma attacks. Rosemary also improves concentration as it increases blood flow to the brain.
Get a bit of spice: Add crushed rosemary leaves and sea salt to ready-to-bake rolls

Thyme
A medicinal spice commonly used to treat chest and respiratory ailments. Research has identified its four important components: carvacolo, borneol, geraniol and thymol as the major contributors to the healing properties of thyme. It's a strong antioxidant that contains a variety of flavonoids. Thyme contains iron, manganese, calcium and is a great source of fiber. Studies have shown that this spice has antibacterial activity.
Get a bit of spice: To make herbed scrambled eggs beat 1/8 of a teaspoon of thyme leaves in eggs

Turmeric
Curcuma longa commonly known as turmeric has been long used in Chinese and Indian cultures for medicinal purposes. The peppery spice is used in curry dishes and gives it that classic yellow color. Turmeric contains curcumin which is responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects; the spice is comparable to Motrin and other similar prescription drugs (e.g. hydrocortisone) without causing side effects. It also helps treat inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. Crohn's disease). Tumeric is a potent antioxidant that is helpful in providing relief for rheumatoid arthritis and prevents colon cancer. It also protects against cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Get a bit of spice: Prepare a chicken salad with nuts and add a dash of curry powder.

Improve your health by adding some super spices to your meals. You're one pinch, sprinkle and dash away from doing something great for your body. Spice it up and reap the benefits of seasoning your food.

Source: http://www.mccormick.com/content.cfm?id=13336, http://www.baxterbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080507/COLUMNISTS0603/805070304/1002/NEWS01, http://whfoods.org/foodstoc.php