Top 10 spices with tremendous health benefits

Adding spices is a great way of adding flavor to your food without adding extra calories. An average American consumes about 3400mg of salt a day when our body needs only 500 mg of sodium. When you take too much sodium, your body ends up retaining a lot of water. Due to excessive amount of salt, your kidneys have to excrete more calcium in the urine. High concentration of calcium combined with oxalate and phosphorus form kidney stones. You could eliminate the excessive amount of salt in your diet by adding the following super spices to your dishes:

1. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an amazing spice, especially for diabetics since it keeps insulin and blood sugar levels in check. Cinnamon can improve triglyceride and cholesterol levels and prevent cardio diseases. Keep in mind that insulin plays an important role in regulating fat in the body and adding cinnamon to your food can help to fight obesity and reduce the risk of heart disease.

2. Cayenne

Cayenne pepper is an amazing spice with many health benefits. Cayenne is a powerful anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal and can help to fight common allergies and colds and flues. Cayenne can help to boost your metabolism by improving weight loss, and detoxing the body from accumulation of toxins and free radicals. Cayenne could help migraines, prevent blood clot, and improve joint and nerve pain.  

3. Turmeric

Researchers suggest that turmeric can be as effective as 14 pharmaceutical drugs for treating a variety of chronic diseases. The natural antioxidant in turmeric known as cumin can help to fight inflammation and growth of cancer cells. Turmeric can also help to prevent cardio diseases, diabetes, depression, and Alzheimer’s.

4. Saffron

The golden spice known as saffron has many health and medicinal properties. The powerful antioxidants in saffron can help to fight against neurological problems such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Saffron could also help to fight depression, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, infections, and digestive issues.

5. Cardamom

Cardamom is an amazing spice high in antioxidants and phytonutrients and can help to boost the immune system and protect the body against the damage of free radicals. Cardamom can help to fight against depression, cold and flu, infections, digestive issues and skin disorder. The powerful antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties in cardamom can help to fight against auto-immune diseases such as cancer.  

6. Ginger

Ginger or ginger roots have many great health and medicinal benefits. According to researchers, the anti-inflammatory properties in ginger are more superior to drugs such as NSAIDs, ibuprofen, Advil and Tylenol. Ginger can help to destroy cancer cells, boost metabolism and burn fat, and fight asthma, digestive issues, and cardiovascular diseases.

7. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a powerful spice known to improve insomnia, and digestive issues. Nutmeg can help to detox the body, improve skin issues, and reduce pain in muscles or joints. The powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in nutmeg can help to boost the immune system and fight against cancer and leukemia.

8. Coriander

Coriander is an amazing source of powerful nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. The powerful anti-inflammatory properties in coriander can help to fight skin inflammation and mouth ulcers. Coriander can help to fight diarrhea, anemia, digestive issues and high cholesterol levels.

9. Paprika

Paprika is an amazing spice high in nutrients such as vitamin C and carotenoids. Paprika is a great anti-inflammatory and has powerful anti-aging and skin benefits. Paprika can help to lower blood pressure, improve digestive issues, energy and eye health, and prevent anemia.

10. Anise

The anti-septic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in anise can help to boost the immune system and fight respiratory problems such as asthma, digestive issues, nausea, stomach pain and bronchitis cough.