Superfoods are often given high praise for their benefits on health, but another category is often overlooked. You may be unaware of the health benefits hiding in your spice cabinet right now! Several different spices and seasonings contain powerful benefits. Here, you can read about five such spices.
- Paprika
Some people are very familiar with paprika, as it is prominent in several different cuisines such as Mexican or Hungarian food. As paprika comes from a pepper, it contains small amounts of the compound capsaicin. Capsaicin is what gives peppers their spice, but because there is only a small amount in paprika it is not too hot. Rather, paprika tends to have a smoky flavor.
Capsaicin is known to reduce pain throughout the body. It also may increase metabolism and help burn fat. Paprika also contains antioxidants, which reduce the damage done by free radicals in the body. Overall, paprika is not only delicious, but nutritious!
- Cinnamon
Is a common spice, typically found in sweet foods, although it can be used in savory foods as well to add warmth to a dish. It is also used in topical skincare products for its anti-inflammatory benefits. However, those benefits are still present when cinnamon is used in food.
As well as anti-inflammatory benefits, cinnamon contains antioxidants as well. Cinnamon has shown some promising benefits in studies. Cinnamon may be able to aid in insulin uptake, increasing the body’s response to insulin. In turn this also may help reduce blood sugar.
- Garlic
A fairly common flavor and well-known vampire deterrent, garlic is actually closely related to onions. Garlic has a very strong scent, but its delicious flavor more than makes up for the garlic breath you may experience after. The flavor is not garlic’s only benefit, however. When chewed, crushed, or chopped, garlic develops sulfur, which is a necessary chemical in the body.
Just as the other spices, garlic contains antioxidants, but it also contains several essential nutrients such as manganese, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. These attributes may contribute to a healthy immune system, helping to fight off illness and disease. Garlic is full of fantastic benefits!
- Black Pepper
Possibly the most common spice is regular black pepper. Made from dried peppercorns, black pepper has a unique flavor that adds a delicious bite. Following the common theme, black pepper contains antioxidants! Because pepper is so common, you may be getting your daily dose of antioxidants without realizing it.
Black pepper also may act as an anti-inflammatory, reducing pain and swelling in large enough doses. Studies have also shown that black pepper may also support a healthy brain. Anti-inflammatories present in pepper may reduce swelling and help with brain function.
- Himalayan Salt
Pink salt has only recently come onto the scene, but it gained popularity at a nearly alarming rate. Mined from one of the world’s largest salt mines located in Pakistan. The pink salt contains copious amounts of minerals not found in regular table salt or sea salt. While salt is necessary in a healthy diet, pink salt also offers more benefits than just sodium.
This is the only seasoning on the list that Foods Alive carries! Pink Himalayan Salt contains huge amounts of minerals. Find Foods Alive’s Himalayan Salt and more info about its nutrients and minerals here!
These are just a few of the spices present in most spice cabinets. The jars on your shelves may contain much more than a few spices. Sometimes, they contain incredible health benefits. So add those few extra cloves of garlic or another dash of paprika. Perhaps they could help your health in the long run!
Research
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-paprika#1
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-garlic#TOC_TITLE_HDR_11
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/black-pepper-benefits#3.-May-benefit-your-brain-
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pink-himalayan-salt#TOC_TITLE_HDR_7
