Do you need a way to incorporate more vitamins into your diet? Spice up your health with these five commonly used spices that contain a plethora of vitamins that contain both healing and preventative properties. These spices will improve your well-being from relieving joint and muscle pain to preventing certain cancers.
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the main spices in Indian Curry. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which contains strong anti-inflammatory properties. This will help in relieving pain associated with arthritis or any joint and muscle injuries. Turmeric can be incorporated into everyday homemade dishes, such as roasted vegetables, egg scrambles, soups, smoothies, and rice.
Ginger
Ginger is a close relative to turmeric and is great with helping digestive ailments such as nausea, loss of appetite and motion sickness. Ginger is also a common weight loss agent if incorporated into your regular diet. One of the best ways to include ginger into your daily consumption is by drinking ginger root tea. Simply add boiling water to 1 to 2 half inch slices of ginger root and let steep for 3 to 5 minutes to infuse the ginger with the water.
Cinnamon
One of the most well-known spices is cinnamon and it is popular for it’s warm and comforting taste and aroma. Like turmeric, cinnamon has great anti-inflammatory properties that can help with headaches and arthritis. Its active ingredient is cinnamaldehyde which contains antifungal and antibacterial properties. This prevents against many illnesses and diseases such as diabetes. Cinnamon is also packed with antioxidants which aid in weight loss and reduce bloating. You can include cinnamon in your daily diet by adding a dash in foods such as oatmeal or porridge, or beverages such as warmed milk and chai tea.
Cumin
Cumin is a dried seed that is ground up and commonly used in Asian dishes. Cumin helps aid in digestion by activating the salivary glands in the mouth and producing bile in the stomach. Cumin is also a strong immune boosting spice chock full of vitamins C and A. Like turmeric, you can season your savory dishes with cumin do get your daily fill.
Chili Powder/Peppers
Chili powder is commonly used in Asian and Mexican cuisine and is usually mixed in with many other spices. Chili peppers contain vitamins A and C which are great for boosting your immune system and also help with a healthy blood flow. Chili peppers are also well known for boosting metabolism, which can lead to healthy weight loss. While chili powder can be incorporated into many dishes, it is also very helpful to consume while sick to clear up a stuffy nose.