Always have them on hand. 5 most healthy spices at your kitchen

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the most famous and commonly used spices, it can be used for both sweet and savory dishes.

There are numerous studies that demonstrate the effect of cinnamon on lowering blood glucose levels. As little as 500 milligrams of cinnamon (about 1/4 teaspoon) three times a day can lower fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels in people with prediabetes.

Biologically active compounds in cinnamon have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, and antifungal effects. There is even some preliminary evidence that cinnamon can help lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

In the kitchen, cinnamon can go far beyond its ubiquitous use. Cinnamon sticks can be used to add cinnamon flavor to drinks such as tea or coffee.

Ground cinnamon can be added to smoothies, yogurt, granola, baked goods, used as part of a spice or seasoning for meat and vegetables, or simply sprinkled on top.

Turmeric

Turmeric's health benefits are numerous, and its active compound curcumin is one of the most studied phytochemicals due to its powerful anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.

Some studies show that curcumin can inhibit the growth of tumor cells, as well as reduce inflammatory markers in the body. Turmeric may also help lower overall cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

In addition, there is some evidence that curcumin may play a role in treating symptoms of depression.

Turmeric can be added to a variety of foods, from vegetables and grains to soups and stews to curries, as well as to smoothies and snacks.

Ginger

Ginger can be consumed as a fresh root or dried and ground to use as a spice.

It also contains an active compound called gingerol, which contains phytonutrients that act as an antioxidant, as well as antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.

Andginger may help relieve symptoms of nausea and pain associated with rheumatism.

Dried ginger has a strong concentrated flavor. Ground ginger is commonly used in baked goods in combination with spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

Fennel seeds

The active compound anethole is what gives fennel its pronounced anise flavor and aroma. Anethole has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, and also aids in digestion.

Just 1 tablespoon of fennel seeds contains 2 grams of fiber and is an excellent source of manganese (an important mineral for a variety of bodily functions, including metabolism, calcium absorption, blood sugar regulation, brain and nerve function). Fennel seeds also contain calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium.

Fennel seeds are used in sweet and savory dishes around the world. It can be added to bread before baking, as well as used in spice mixtures and seasonings for fish, poultry, and seafood.

Paprika

Paprika is available in three flavors: sweet, hot, and smoked.

Paprika contains the active compound capsaicin, which has a number of health benefits due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The hotter the paprika, the more capsaicin it contains. It also has a surprisingly concentrated amount of vitamins and minerals, including iron, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin B6, as well as a variety of phytochemicals.

A mere 1 tablespoon of paprika provides almost 20% of your daily vitamin A requirement.

Earlier, we reported on 5 spices to add to coffee to improve its flavor.

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