4-herbs-spices-everyone-needs-to-eat

4 Herbs and Spices Everyone Needs To Eat

As we continue to explore different ways to eat healthily, it’s important to understand that any good weight loss program such as the DRS will talk about herbs and spices. Herbs and Spices are important for both health reasons and great flavor. In order to understand how potent they are: Just a half teaspoon of ground cinnamon has as many antioxidants as a half cup of blueberries, and a half teaspoon dried oregano has the antioxidant power of 3 cups of raw spinach.

What are antioxidants?

What-are-antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals — molecules produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals may play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.

According to the National Institute of Health, Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. Diets high in vegetables and fruits, which are good sources of antioxidants, have been found to be healthy; however, research has not shown antioxidant supplements to be beneficial in preventing diseases Examples of antioxidants include vitamins C and E, selenium, and beta-carotene, such as lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Vegetables and fruits are rich sources of antioxidants. There is good evidence that eating a diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruits is healthy, and official U.S. Government policy urges people to eat more of these foods. Research has shown that people who eat more vegetables and fruits have lower risks of several diseases; however, it is not clear whether these results are solely related to the number of antioxidants in vegetables and fruits, as opposed to other components of these foods, or other factors in people’s diets, or to other lifestyle choices.

beneficial-in-preventing-diseases
The simple truth is that all these factors are related. A diet rich in vegetables and fruits, combined with exercise and a change to a healthier eating lifestyle all combines to make a heathier body, a healthier mind the reduction of the risk of certain diseases, improve your mood, your outlook on yourself and the world around you.

Rigorous scientific studies involving more than 100,000 people combined have tested whether antioxidant supplements can help prevent chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and cataracts. In most instances, antioxidants did not reduce the risks of developing these diseases Concerns have not been raised about the safety of antioxidants in food.”
However, high-dose supplements of antioxidants may be linked to health risks in some cases. Supplementing with high doses of beta-carotene may increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Supplementing with high doses of vitamin E may increase the risks of prostate cancer and one type of stroke. Antioxidant supplements may interact with some medicines.

Spices, which are obtained from roots, flowers, fruits, seeds, or bark of plants and certain vegetables, are a fantastic component to include in daily cooking because they bring out complex and rich flavors from the food itself or add those flavors and colors.

spices-roots-flowers-fruits-seeds

There are many different spices in the world, and some cuisines with the most flavorful food are not ashamed to use them frequently, one notable cuisine being Indian: Everything from. the collector the homemade chai tea brims with spices What is a spice? Dictionary.com defines a spice to be “any of a class of pungent or aromatic substances of vegetable origin, as pepper, cinnamon, or cloves, used as a seasoning, preservatives, etc.” Originally, spices were distinct from herbs as the dried and ground roots, stalks, seeds, and fruits of plants, whereas herbs tended to primarily be the leaves of plants and used either in fresh or dried forms. Nowadays, the term “spice” is inclusive of anything that adds flavor and/or color to food, Herbs, and spices have been used in many different ways. Since ancient times, spices and culinary herbs have been added to food to enhance flavor and improve their organoleptic properties. Spices and herbs have also been widely used as preservatives and medicine. Spices and herbs have been extensively studied in different countries because of the high antioxidant activity in certain spices and their beneficial effects on human health As a part of our diet, spices, and herbs, in addition to fruits and vegetables, could provide us with additional sources of natural antioxidants
(We touched briefly on this before, but this is too important to not mention again)

Antioxidants from spices are a large group of bioactive compounds

which consist of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, sulfur-containing compounds, tannins, alkaloids, phenolic diterpenes, and vitamins These compounds demonstrate different antioxidant activities. For example, flavonoids have the ability to scavenge free radicals and can form complexes rendering free radicals inactive. Studies have shown that spices and herbs such as rosemary, sage, and oregano are excellent sources of antioxidants with their high content of phenolic compounds which helps to reduce free radicals in your body.

What are Free Radicals?

What-are-Free-Radicals

Free radicals are highly unstable molecules that are naturally formed when you exercise and when your body converts food into energy. Your body can also be exposed to free radicals from a variety of environmental sources, such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, and sunlight. Free radicals can cause “oxidative stress” Oxidative Stress is a process that can trigger cell damage. Oxidative stress is thought to play a role in a variety of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and eye diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Antioxidant molecules have been shown to counteract oxidative stress in laboratory experiments (for example, in cells or animal studies).

However, remember that it has been shown that consuming large amounts of antioxidants in supplement form does not actually produce health benefits, rather there is some concern that consuming antioxidant supplements in excessive doses may be harmful. Vegetables and fruits are healthy foods and rich sources of antioxidants. Official U.S. Government policy urges people to eat more vegetables and fruits. Concerns have not been raised about the safety of any amounts of antioxidants in food..
According to the NCBI, Antioxidants can protect lipids and oils in food against oxidative degradation (when exposed to air). Added to food, antioxidants slow or control the deterioration of lipids and (rancidity development), slow or retard the formation of toxic oxidation in products maintain nutritional quality, and extend the shelf-life of products. Because of safety concerns, synthetic antioxidants are limited to being used as food preservatives. Natural antioxidants obtained from edible materials such as spices and herbs have been of increasing interest.

spices
Natural antioxidants contained in spices help to reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, which is caused by a high concentration of free radicals in cells and tissues, can be caused by various negative factors, such as gamma, UV, and X-ray radiation, psycho-emotional stress, polluted food, adverse environmental conditions, intensive physical exertion, smoking, alcoholism, and drug (Opioids?) addiction. Chronic oxidative stress has been reported to lead to a variety of diseases, including cancer, heart-related diseases, and the acceleration of aging.

Therefore, spices could potentially be used as ameliorative or preventive agents for some health issues While you hear a lot about the antioxidants found in dark chocolate and red wine, spices like ground cloves, oregano leaves, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, ground cumin, and yellow mustard seed are the real antioxidant all-stars – delivering a higher concentration of antioxidants per 100g than dark chocolate, wine, even blueberries Studies have shown that spices and herbs such as rosemary, sage, and oregano are excellent sources of antioxidants with their high content of phenolic compounds. Antioxidants can protect lipids and oils in food against oxidative degradation. …Spices and culinary herbs are rich in antioxidants. With all that being said, below are a few spices that are most beneficial,

Turmeric

Turmeric

Turmeric known as the king of all spices ounce for ounce and known as an aromatic medicinal plant was known to Indians since ancient times. However, many historians argue that South Asia is the original home of Turmeric. Turmeric is the most anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal one of the bunch, so you should eat it as much as possible when you’re becoming Bulletproof. In Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s used to treat everything from diabetes and allergies to Alzheimer’s and arthritis. Turmeric’s active ingredient is curcumin, an antioxidant compound that reduces inflammation and also gives it its vibrant yellow color. (Beware getting turmeric on anything white; it stains.)

Curcumin has actually been shown to reduce growth in cancer cells, and if there’s any good reason to eat a spice, I’d say that’s it. Turmeric also contains other anti-inflammatory compounds that inhibit swelling and pain and block the plaques that cause Alzheimer’s disease. So eat more turmeric. Add it to salad dressings, meat, and fish marinades, or even turmeric-infused tea, latte, or lemonade. It’s surprisingly tasty.

Paprika

Paprika

This dry mix of herbs and spices adds a unique zing to any chicken dish, it has just the right amount of heat and flavor Note, it also gives the chili a great flavor without adding too much heat.

1 ½ teaspoons sea salt 1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
½ teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon ground dried thyme
¼ teaspoon celery seed ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
⅛ teaspoon ground cumin ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
⅛ teaspoon chicken bouillon granules if you are making this for a chicken marinade

Mix the salt, basil, rosemary, garlic powder, mustard, paprika, black pepper, thyme, celery seed, parsley, cumin, cayenne pepper, and chicken bouillon together until well blended.

Per Serving:

6 calories; 0.2 g total fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 448 mg sodium. 0.8 g carbohydrates; 0.3 g protein;

Ginger

Ginger

(Zingiber officinale) Originated in Southeast Asia. Ginger is said to have a history of more than 5,000 years. The Indians and ancient Chinese used the root of ginger as a tonic to treat common ailments. Although ginger originated in Southeast Asia, it was widely cultivated in other countries. By the 1st century, traders had taken ginger into the Mediterranean region. Knobby and sometimes intimidating looking, ginger is a great way to add zesty, fresh flavor to a variety of meals and recipes. Once you have peeled and grated ginger can easily be incorporated into sauces, glazes, and marinades to add additional sometimes surprising taste to your dishes. Traditionally included in Asian recipes like noodle bowls or stir-fry, it can also be added for a fun twist on recipes like Lemony Chicken with Root Vegetables or Zesty Heirloom Gazpacho. Don’t forget to bake up a batch of Fresh Gingerbread Squares for dessert.

Here are some additional benefits of Ginger:

Morning Sickness Cramps Motion Sickness

Morning-Sickness-Cramps-Motion-Sickness

Ginger has demonstrated a success rate of 75 percent in curing morning sickness and stomach flu. It also relieves migraines and dizziness, and drinking ginger tea can relieve menstrual cramps.  If you are a woman suffering from menstrual cramps, try placing a hot towel drenched in ginger tea over the pelvic area to relieve pain and relax the muscles. Drinking a cup of ginger tea can also provide a soothing effect. To keep from being nauseous during a trip, drink a cup of ginger tea before setting off on your travels

Reducing Pain and Inflammation

Reducing-Pain-and-Inflammation

Ginger is an extremely potent analgesic, acting as an all-natural painkiller without the harmful side effects. It also contains potent anti-inflammatory properties.  Ginger tea can ease inflammation of the joints, which is commonly referred to as rheumatoid arthritis. It is also effective in alleviating tired, sore muscles and joints.A warm ginger tea soak can lessen swelling and puffiness, or rubbing ginger oil on an affected area can help reduce pain. Intake of ginger twice daily has been shown to improve the pain and swelling of the joints in arthritic patients and improve their range of motion.

Some other uses for Ginger:

Combating Stomach Discomfort Maintaining Normal Blood Circulation
Strengthening The Immune System Relieving Stress and Coping with Depression
Fighting Cancer Relief from colds & flu

A study at the University of Minnesota found that ginger may slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells. Ginger powder has also been proven to induce cell death in ovarian cancer cells. Incorporating ginger into your diet is important, healthy and something that needs to be done. We at Diet Rite endorse and always share cups of ginger tea with each other.

Cumin

Cumin

Is a Rich Source of Iron

Cumin seeds are naturally rich in iron. In fact, one teaspoon of ground cumin contains about 17.5% of the recommended daily intake RDI for adults. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies, affecting up to 20% of the world’s population In particular, children need iron to support growth and young women need iron to replace blood lost during menstruation. Few foods are as iron-dense as cumin. This makes it a good iron source, even when used in small amounts as a seasoning.

Contains Beneficial Plant Compounds

Contains-Beneficial-Plant-Compounds

Cumin contains lots of plant compounds that are linked with potential health benefits, including terpenes, phenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Several of these function as antioxidants, which are chemicals that reduce damage to your body from free radicals. The unstable free radicals molecules cause oxidation in your body. The oxidation of fatty acids in your arteries leads to clogged arteries and heart disease. Oxidation also leads to inflammation in diabetes, and the oxidation of DNA can contribute to cancer. Antioxidants like those in cumin add an electron to the free radical electron, making it more stable.

May Help With Diabetes

Diabetes

Some of the cumin’s components have shown promise in helping to treat diabetes. One clinical study showed a concentrated cumin supplement improved early indicators of diabetes in overweight individuals, compared to a placebo Cumin also contains components that counter some of the long-term effects of diabetes. One of the ways diabetes harms cells in the body is through advanced glycation end products (AGEs) AGEs are harmful compounds. They accumulate naturally as you age and are created when certain foods are cooked at high temperatures such as grilling, frying, and toasting. They’re produced spontaneously in the bloodstream when blood sugar levels are high over long periods of time, as they are in diabetes.
AGEs are created when sugars attach to proteins and disrupt their normal function. AGEs are likely responsible for damage to eyes, kidneys, nerves, and small blood vessels in diabetes. Cumin contains several components that reduce AGEs in certain studies. Routinely using cumin as a seasoning may help control blood sugar in diabetes. Cumin has also improved blood cholesterol in clinical studies. Using cumin as a spice increases antioxidant intake, promotes digestion, provides iron, may improve blood sugar control, and may reduce food-borne illnesses. Higher doses may help with weight loss and improved blood cholesterol. Cumin is greatly used in soups like black bean soup or Lentil soups. It is also good in a slow-cooked chicken dish (slow cooking not grilling or frying (AGEs) Cumin is also good to add to a dry spice blend to use for chicken and salads etc.

Cloves

Cloves

Supporting liver health

Supporting-liver-health

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