Let’s spice things up!

Spice can do so much more for you than just add flavor to your food. Studies suggest that it can add years to your life by adding health benefits such as reducing cholesterol, improving cognitive function even relieving pain.

Here is an overview of some common spices that can be added to meals to make them tasty and great for your health.

Rosemary: Rosemary is often used as a savory flavoring for meats and rice or stew. However rosemary has been shown to enhance memory and relieve headaches. In 2007, the Burnham institute for Medical Research in La Jolla, California reported that the active ingredient in rosemary, carnosic acid, may protect the brain from damage that could potentially could lead to strokes and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Garlic: Garlic (as well as its other family members like onions, leeks and scallions) contains allicin, which inhibits bacterial, fungal and yeast growths. Garlic is often used to treat ailments like colds and flu. Garlic’s curative properties are mostly when it is in its raw state. Studies have also shown that garlic can be helpful in reducing cholesterol.

Cinnamon: Studies suggest that 1 gram (about a quarter teaspoon) of cinnamon per day can lower glucose levels by 18 to 29 percent, triglycerides levels by 18 percent, and cholesterol levels by 12 percent. The US department of agriculture has also evaluated cinnamon for glucose lowering and found it to be effective.

Ginger: Ginger is known to significantly help with nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness. It also contains powerful antioxidants with cancer-fighting attributes that may even help prevent Alzheimer’s.