Spices and herbs are surprisingly potent antioxidants – health-promoting substances found in fruits and vegetables. In fact, a teaspoonful of cinnamon contains as many antioxidants as a half cup of blueberries.
Botanically, spices and herbs are classified as fruits and vegetables. That’s why these plant-derived ingredients are naturally high in antioxidants. And, since they no longer contain the water that makes up a significant part of the weight of fresh produce, spices and herbs offer a big antioxidant punch in a very compact package.
Many spices and herbs appear to have some beneficial effects. But these 7 super spices might hold the greatest potential for improving our health:
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Oregano
- Red peppers (including cayenne, crushed red pepper, and paprika)
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Turmeric (commonly found in yellow curry powder)
To help enjoy the taste and health benefits of these super spices throughout the course of the day, nutrition expert Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RD, author of The SuperFoodsRx Diet: Lose Weight with the Power of SuperNutrients, recommends these simple tips:
- At breakfast, sprinkle cinnamon on your bowl of oatmeal, yogurt, French toast, or muffin batter. A dash of thyme is a welcome addition to scrambled eggs or omelets.
- At lunch, stir dried oregano leaves or red peppers into favorite canned soups, chicken/tuna salads, or vinaigrette dressings. Even frozen pizza can get a delicious antioxidant boost. A sprinkling of ground ginger over sliced fresh fruit makes a refreshing dessert.
- At dinner, wake up the flavors of favorite side dishes with crushed rosemary leaves (a natural with mashed or roasted potatoes) or curry powder (perfect for rice dishes or couscous.)
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