These 10 powerful spices help
to control blood sugar, reduce inflammation, boost your metabolism, aid
fat loss, and reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease
by Catherine Ebeling - RN, BSN & Mike Geary - Certified Nutrition Specialist
co-authors - The Fat Burning Kitchen & The Top 101 Foods that FIGHT Aging

Every time you flavor your meals with herbs or spices you are
supercharging your food without adding a single calorie. You can
transform something ordinary and bland into something truly
extraordinary tasting and good for your body, just by generously adding
herbs and spices to your meals.
Did you know that certain herbs and spices contain a wide variety of some of the
most potent antioxidants of any food?
In fact, many herbs and spices rank even higher in antioxidant activity
than many fruits and vegetables, with some spices such as cloves,
turmeric, and cinnamon having as much as
10-50x more antioxidants measured by ORAC value (on a weight to weight comparison) compared to blueberries.
The benefits of the antioxidants in spices include some very powerful
protection against many serious diseases like cancer, heart disease,
diabetes, arthritis, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s, and overall
aging.
Herbs and spices add tons of extra flavor, and when combined with the
nutrition in other foods, they actually exponentially boost the natural
antioxidants, phytonutrients, and anti-inflammatory power of the food.
Besides the super antioxidants, herbs and spices can also:
- Aid Fat Burning and Boost Metabolism - many herbs
and spices are thermogenic, which means they naturally help to increase
metabolism, partly because they are so nutrient-dense.
- Help Stabilize Blood Sugar - Some spices are also
good at regulating blood sugar and controlling insulin--even as good as
some diabetic drugs! When your blood sugar is well controlled, you are
more likely to burn fat and not store calories as excess weight.
- Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Properties –Scientific
studies show that herbs and spices can actually work as well or better
than some medications at calming inflammation without the negative side
effects of isolated drugs.
- Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal - Many
herbs and spices contain properties that effectively kill dangerous
pathogens like viruses, bacteria and stubborn fungi. The natural
properties in these foods work against many microbes that are resistant
to conventional medications.
Here are 10 of the most potent superfood herbs and spices you can eat:
1. Basil - Basil is a very effective
anti-inflammatory herb with extraordinary healing benefits that work for
arthritis, allergies, and inflammatory bowel conditions, to name a just
a few. In addition, basil helps kill harmful bacteria that cause food
poisoning including: Listeria, Staph, and E. coli O:157:H7.
Basil is also an excellent source of beta carotene, a powerful
antioxidant that prevents free radical damage. Free radical damage is
the primary cause of heart disease, cancer, and many other serious
health conditions, as well as aging. Because of its dark green color, it
is an excellent source of vitamin K, calcium and magnesium, which is
good for the bones. It is also a great source of iron, manganese,
vitamin C and potassium. Use both fresh basil and dried basil
generously in your foods to maximize it's benefits.
2. Cinnamon - This ancient spice has one of the highest antioxidant levels of any spice.
Cinnamon is highly effective at helping to stabilize blood sugar
levels, making it very effective for those with diabetes (type 1 and
type 2). In one study of people with type 2 diabetes, just two teaspoons
a day reduced blood sugar as much as 20-30%, as well as lowering LDL
cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Cinnamon also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and helps
relieve pain and stiffness in muscles and joints, including arthritis.
Cinnamon has a positive effect on brain function, and smelling cinnamon,
or chewing cinnamon flavored gum, can possibly help improve memory and
attention. Cinnamon also reduces inflammation in blood vessels that
leads to atherosclerosis and heart disease, as well as having antifungal
and antibacterial properties.
You can read another article we have
here about how cinnamon can even help control belly fat in an indirect way.
Try cinnamon in your smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, mixed with berries, or as a healthy addition in your coffee or tea.
3. Cayenne - This hot spice not only heats up your dishes, it heats up your body and
raises your metabolism,
helping you burn fat faster. And an interesting research study showed
that when a person consumed an appetizer with red pepper flakes, they
ate 15% less food. And for those of you who avoid cayenne because you
think it bothers your stomach, cayenne pepper is actually healing to
stomach tissues, it stimulates digestive enzymes, and helps prevent
stomach ulcers.
Cayenne reduces LDL blood cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and
decreases the formation of harmful blood clots, all of which prevent
heart attacks and strokes. And, cayenne is a very effective
anti-inflammatory and pain remedy for everything from headaches to
arthritis and sore muscles, as well as clearing nasal congestion and
boosting immunity.
Try cayenne in your morning eggs, in soups, stews, chili, or meatloaf for a little metabolism boosting spice!
4. Cloves - Cloves have a unique sweet and spicy
flavor, but also contain powerful natural medicine. Cloves have strong
antiseptic and germicidal ingredients that help fight infections,
relieve digestive problems, and arthritis pain. One of cloves’ best
known uses is its ability to relieve tooth and gum pain. Cloves have
been measured as having
THE highest antioxidant level (ORAC value) of all spices and herbs.
The oil in cloves kills bacteria and is very effective when applied
to scrapes, cuts, fungal infections, itchy rashes, bites, burns, or
bruises. Cloves also help digestive problems like gas, indigestion,
nausea and vomiting, and eliminate harmful parasites, bacteria and
fungus in the digestive system. And the smell of cloves helps to
encourage mental creativity too.
Cloves can be a great healthy addition to hot teas.
5. Cumin - Cumin is another spice that is especially
high in antioxidants, but cumin is known for being especially good for
digestion. It stimulates the gallbladder and pancreas to secrete enzymes
and bile that break down food into usable nutrients your body can use.
Cumin also helps detoxify the body, and is highly effective for
respiratory disorders like asthma and bronchitis.
Cumin, like cinnamon, helps keep blood sugar levels stable, which
means cumin is great for diabetics or pre-diabetics, and it means less
chance of weight gain and excess body fat. Cumin has been proven to work
as well as some commonly used diabetic drugs at regulating insulin and
glycogen. Cumin is also a very good source of iron, vitamin C and
vitamin A, which benefit the immune system.
Cumin goes great in chili!
6. Turmeric - Turmeric’s yellow-orange pigment,
curcumin, is the main active ingredient in this super spice. Curcumin’s
anti-inflammatory benefits are actually comparable to drugs like
hydrocortisone and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines like
Advil and Motrin. But, unlike the drugs, curcumin is not toxic at all.
Curcumin is more effective slowing down the development of
Alzheimer’s disease than many medications, because it decreases
inflammation and oxidation in the brain. This spice also speeds up the
recovery time from strokes as well. Turmeric and its active ingredient,
curcumin, are also highly effective against diseases like irritable
bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, and arthritis. Turmeric also
improves liver function, lowers homocysteine and prevents heart
disease.
Most importantly, turmeric is one of the most potent anti-cancer
spices that helps protect you. Turmeric and it's derivatives are
currently being studied in alternative cancer treatments.
Try this trick:
Using black pepper along with turmeric (I use this combo in my eggs
every morning) helps to increase the absorption of turmeric's curcumin
in the body.
7. Rosemary - Rosemary contains active ingredients
that are potent antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory agents.
Rosemary has long been known to improve concentration, boost memory, and
lift depression. Rosemary also strengthens the immune system, improves
circulation, stimulates digestion, and fights cancer, as well.
Rosemary is highly effective for respiratory problems including
asthma, chest congestion, and respiratory infections. While rosemary
adds a delicious savory flavor to meat dishes, it also helps digestion
by stimulating the gallbladder to release bile as well. Rosemary will
protect your body against harmful carcinogenic toxins and prevents colon
cancer, stomach, breast, and lung cancer.
Fun fact: If you're
going to grill meats, marinating meats for hours beforehand in liquid
mixtures that contain rosemary and other herbs/spices can dramatically
help to reduce HCA's (heterocyclic amines), which are carcinogenic
compounds that can form when meats are grilled. So using rosemary,
thyme, garlic, oregano and other spices in a meat marinade before
grilling meats can drastically reduce any carcinogens that normally
would form on grilled meat.
The antioxidants in rosemary and thyme from a marinade were
specifically cited in studies at being powerful inhibitors of HCA
formation when grilling meats. But it was also noted that other spices
such as garlic, oregano, and others can help to prevent HCA formation as
well, so I suggest using a variety, which tastes great anyway!
One more important point about grilling meat:
Remember that the more well-done a meat is cooked, the higher
concentration of carcinogenic HCA's can form, so rare, medium-rare, or
medium are healthier choices than well-done. I've never understood why
anybody would want to ruin a good steak by burning it to oblivion
anyway. But hey, if you're one of those folks that likes your steaks
well-done, just remember that you're eating a lot more carcinogens than a
steak that's cooked less, so make sure to load up on your antioxidants
(spices, teas, berries, etc) to help combat those extra carcinogens.
Washing down your barbequed meal with a glass of unsweetened iced tea
(rich in antioxidants) and also a good salad with lots of raw veggies
can provide the antioxidants needed to counteract the effect of HCAs in
your body from grilled meat.
By the way, even charring vegetables on the grill creates different carcinogens such as acrylamides, so don't think that the negative effect of charring only applies to meats.
8. Ginger - Ginger is VERY powerful for your
health! Ginger contains over 25 different antioxidants, which makes it
extremely effective at fighting free radicals in many different body
systems. Ginger is best known for its ability to reduce nausea and
vomiting, as well as motion sickness. In fact, ginger may even be more
effective than Dramamine, one of the most common drugs used for motion
sickness. And because ginger does not have harmful side effects like
many drugs, it is very good for nausea from pregnancy. Studies actually
show that just 1 gram of ginger before surgery is more effective than
the standard anti-nausea medication given for post surgical nausea and
vomiting.
Ginger is also a soothing remedy for sore throats from colds and flu
because of its antiviral properties. Ginger also helps coughs and is an
effective expectorant. Try a tea made with hot water simmered with a few
slices of ginger and a small amount of honey and lemon for a soothing
tonic when you are sick.
Because ginger is such a strong anti-inflammatory, it helps reduce
the pain and swelling of arthritis, and muscle aches. Ginger also fights
cancer, reduces cholesterol, and prevents blood clots that lead to
strokes or heart disease. I like to use a slice of ginger root in my
hot teas sometimes, in our batches of iced teas, and of course, I love
piling ginger on top of sushi! I take a couple capsules of ginger daily
since it's not as frequently used in dishes as some other spices.
9. Oregano
- This herb contains an oil that is a very potent anti-bacterial,
anti-fungal and anti-viral agent, rosmarinic acid (also found in
rosemary). Oregano oil has been used to treat a wide range of
conditions from bacterial and viral infections, to parasites and
stubborn fungal infections. Although the oil of oregano is most often
used for medicinal purposes, the herb itself can provide many of the
same benefits when consumed regularly.
Oregano also relieves inflammation, internal or external, and can
offer relief from allergies, aches and pain, without side effects.
Oregano is very high on the ORAC scale of measured antioxidant value.
10. Thyme — Thyme’s active ingredient is known for
treating bronchitis, sore throats, chest congestion, laryngitis and
asthma. Thyme is so effective it is often an ingredient in cough drops
and mouthwashes to treat inflammation and infections. Thyme is also
effective as a soothing stomach aid to relieve gastritis, indigestion
and colic.
Thyme helps prevent cancer, improve memory, treat Alzheimer’s, calm
the nerves, and alleviate depression, nightmares, and insomnia. An
interesting new discovery about thyme shows that it actually boosts the
amount of DHA (an important ingredient in omega 3 fatty acids) in the
brain, heart and kidney cells.
Here are some other health benefits of some of the most popular herbs and spices:
- Rosemary, turmeric, ginger and basil are powerful anti-inflammatories.
- Cumin, turmeric, and sage help fight dementia.
- Cayenne, cumin, coriander and cinnamon help to regulate insulin and blood sugar, aiding fat loss.
- Lemon grass, nutmeg, bay leaves and saffron have a calming effect.
- Garlic, mustard seed, hawthorne, and chicory are excellent for the heart.
- Basil and thyme help your skin become softer and smoother.
- Turmeric, garlic, basil, cinnamon, thyme, saffron, garlic and ginger boost the immune system.
- Coriander, rosemary, cayenne, allspice and black pepper can help banish depression.
There are
3 specific spices that I personally
believe are so powerful that I try to take them in daily capsule form as
well, since they may not always be used in my daily meals... and those
are:
Turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger. They're very cheap
in capsule form too. I usually take 2 capsules per day of each of these
spices unless I use large amounts in certain dishes like a curry dish
for example.
Spice up your life a bit, and enjoy all of those super health benefits!
Note: Always check with your physician to be sure certain herbs
and spices don’t interfere with medications you may be taking—and check
with your doctor before you quit any current medications.
Next article: Here's exactly why to STOP eating whole wheat bread, vegetable oil, soy milk, and these cereals (they can cause heart attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, and faster aging)
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Cathering Ebeling and Mike Geary are co-authors of the popular book, The Fat-Burning Kitchen,
which shows you how to totally revamp your kitchen to make your body a
fat-burning machine! Cat and Mike have also co-authored the new
best-seller, The Top 101 Foods that FIGHT Aging,
which shows you at least 101 powerful superfoods, herbs, spices, and
nutrients to slow down and fight the aging process in your body!