SPICE UP YOUR LIFE
Avoid an overflowing medicine
cabinet by tapping into the healing powers hiding inside your kitchen cabinet.
More and more modern-day research identifies what ancient healers have known
for centuries—spices hold amazing healing properties. With many overflowing
with natural compounds that deter type 2 diabetes, one of the nation’s
fastest-growing medical problems, spices could serve as an economical way to
save lives. The best part? They’re delicious! Enjoy!
CORIANDER
Aromatic and medicinal, this spice has been shown to ease
anxiety and help people sleep. It’s also an important spice for people living
with type 2 diabetes. A 2011 study published in the Research Journal of Pharmaceutical,
Biological and Chemical Sciences found coriander acted as a
natural blood-sugar and cholesterol regulator.
Use It: Ground coriander seeds pair
well with eggs, salad dressings, chili sauces, and guacamole.
TURMERIC
The curcumin compound in turmeric, a main ingredient in
curry, shows promising cancer-fighting abilities in lab studies. A “cooling”
spice, turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that help thwart tumor growth
and block biological pathways needed for melanoma and other cancers to
flourish. In 2007, Chinese scientists found curcumin helps tamp down hormones
needed for prostate cancer to take root in the body.
Use It: Pair turmeric with black pepper to
seriously amplify its effects. Indian scientists found that adding the black
pepper compound piperine to curcumin increased its bioavailability in humans by
2,000 percent.
BLACK PEPPER
The world’s most traded spice is a superfood in its own
right. According to James Duke, Ph.D., former chief of the USDA’s Medicinal
Plant Resource Center, black pepper is the spice with the most potent
anti-osteoporosis properties. It’s also rich in copper, an essential trace
mineral needed for bone health and healthy red blood cell creation. Humans
don’t need a lot of copper, but low levels can cause thyroid problems and
irregular heartbeat.
Use It: Buy whole peppercorns and grind fresh
for the best flavor. Pepper is versatile; add it to anything you’d like!
CINNAMON
German researchers found that
cinnamon can lower blood sugar by 10 percent in type 2 diabetics. Cinnamon
compounds trigger insulin receptors for more favorable blood-sugar levels.
Use It: Sprinkle the sweet spice
on organic oatmeal or add a dash to your morning coffee instead of sugar for
better blood-sugar control.
CARDAMOM
An ancient digestion aid that can ease stomach cramps and
flatulence, cardamom also triggers the release of bile that will help your body
break down fat faster. (Prone to gallstones? Your doctor may ask you to skip
this spice.)
Use It: Look for organic chai tea
bags that include cardamom spice. Sweeten with honey and a splash of organic
milk for a tasty tonic. Just skip the ice—that will suppress digestion.
CLOVES
A go-to home remedy for toothaches, cloves also contain
eugenol, a compound that activates insulin production to help regulate
blood-sugar levels. The spice is also a potent source of manganese, a trace
mineral that helps build tissue and bones. People with low manganese levels are
more prone to arthritis.
Use It: Add cloves to bean soups or steep in
your daily cup of tea.
GINGER
What can’t this
miraculous spice do? Widely shown to quell nausea stemming from motion
sickness, chemotherapy, and pregnancy, ginger can also help all sorts of other
health problems, including migraines. Ginger is rich in
blood-pressure-regulating magnesium, a trace mineral many Americans don’t get
enough of. It’s also a natural anti-inflammatory agent, setting your body up to
prevent chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Some lab
studies even found ginger killed off cancer cells in test tubes.
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