Add Flavor And Health Benefits

Many people lose interest in dieting because they do not like the taste, or lack thereof, found in the foods
they allow themselves to eat. However, there is a way to combat flavorless food and add health benefits
at the same time.

Using herbs and spices when cooking will not only add the flavor you crave, they will add nutrition to the
foods you eat.   Herbs and spices can provide protection from a number of diseases, remove toxins you may have in
your body and supply necessary vitamins and minerals.

The following is a short list of herbs you may find pleasing to your palate and will boost the nutrition value of the foods you eat.

Turmeric

The Cork Cancer Research Centre has test results that demonstrate turmeric kills gullet cancer cells in twenty four hours.

Basil

Basil will supply your body with vitamins A, C, K and iron, magnesium, manganese and potassium. Containing rich falconoid content basil will help your body stop damage from radiation and oxygen (oxidation).

Flat Leaf Parsley

Known for being rich in antioxidants, parsley is loaded with vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Fiber is necessary to help moderate cholesterol levels, ease constipation and help with acid reflux disease symptoms.

Ginger

Ginger is useful in easing nausea and upset stomachs, think of ginger ale. It is also useful in the prevention and treatment of the common cold due to its anti-viral characteristics.

Fenugreek

This herb can help ease menstrual cramps, menopausal symptoms, help with diabetes and moderate cholesterol levels as well as add a nice Mediterranean flavor to your meals.

Everyday herbs and spices are some of the best foods you can eat. Herbs and spices are loaded with antioxidants. As a matter of fact, herbs and spices top the list of foods with a high ORAC value. ORAC stands for oxygen radical absorbance capacity. The ORAC value was developed by scientists at the National Institutes of Health. Foods that rank high in ORAC value are believed to slow oxidation and free radical damage, both of which play a role in age related degeneration and disease.

Nevertheless, high ORAC scores are not the only feature that give herbs and spices their power. They also contain high levels of other vitamins and minerals. Due to these high nutrient levels, herbs and spices naturally raise metabolic levels (basal metabolic rate). Furthermore, herbs and spices also have medicinal characteristics. Finally, herbs and spices can improve your meal by lowering the levels of toxic compounds that are often created as you cook.

Each spice has its own unique characteristics, however, you cannot go wrong when using herbs and spices to flavor your meals. You will do well to choose the herbs and spices you use by the flavors that you like. Or you can choose herbs and spices from their health benefits. The following list shows the ten most powerful herbs and spices: cloves (ground),  cinnamon (ground), Jamaican allspice (ground), oregano (ground), apple pie spice (mixture), marjoram, pumpkin pie spice (mixture),  thyme, gourmet Italian spice, sage.

If you would like to boost your immune system you can try licorice, black pepper, turmeric and oregano. Licorice aids the inflammatory response. Black pepper raises the bioavailability of nearly every other food. Bioavailability is the degree to which or rate at which a drug or other substance is absorbed or becomes available at the site of physiological. Oregano is a strong antioxidant. Turmeric boosts the overall immune system because of its high antioxidant levels. Turmeric is even stringer than vitamins C and E.

Turmeric is one of the most powerful herbs you can use. Not only is it a great immune booster and anti-inflammatory, possibly its greatest value is in its anti-cancer properties.

The anti-cancer properties found in turmeric are attributed to its curcumin content. A number of studies have evaluated the potential to fight cancer found in curcumin. All had promising results.

The curcumin in turmeric has been shown to decrease inflammation, enhance liver functions, helps destroy cancer cells in the body and can even help with disorders such as arthritis.

Additional information, including how to use herbs and spices in your cooking can be found at Planet Green.