Aug
19
Using spices in your cooking adds flavor as well as adding nutrients. Fear of the unknown is the usual reason most people are afraid to add spices to their creations. Truth be told, adding Herbs and Spices to your fruits and veggies adds excitement to your meals as well as a healthier you. And isn’t that what we all want - a healthier and fulfilling lifestyle.
A perfect example is the simple dish of sliced tomatoes. Take the dish a step further and sprinkle in a few additional herbs for added health. Try adding Italian parsley and garlic to those sliced tomatoes before you drizzle the olive oil and your health benefits go through the roof.
The garlic is excellent for the immune system as it helps the body fight off disease. Garlic has been used for centuries to fight off a cold and there is scientific evidence to back up the folk lore. Scientific data has proven that Garlic has antiviral, antibacterial and anti fungal properties. Scientists also studied garlic in the fight against cancer. The garlic has phytonutrients that help block the formation of cancer cells.
Raising the HDL, the good cholesterol is one of garlic’s strong points while it also lowers the LDL, the bad guy. The subjects of a study showed a 9 percent drop in cholesterol levels when they ate two cloves of garlic a day. Garlic protects the aorta and helps control hypertension by thinning the blood. Garlic really spices up your life. One of the studies on garlic found that it is important in the production of nitric oxide synthase, necessary for obtaining an erection.
When you add the Italian parsley, you help neutralize the smell of garlic on your breath and pack the tomatoes with a lot more nutritional punch. On top of the fiber content the parsley is loaded with vitamin A, K, C, folic acid, potassium. It contains powerful antioxidants to fight off free radicals that cause everything from cancer to aging. Don’t tell Popeye but he could of used parsley instead of spinach. Besides the iron parsley is loaded with magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and trace amounts of zinc, manganese and copper.
Does the little sprinkle add enough to fulfill you dietary need? No not at all. The addition of spices and herbs to flavor your food simply increases the nutritional intake and flavor without raising the amount of calorie intake. Just a little change can make a big difference in your health when you do it at every meal.
Cinnamon is another one of those spices that added to your breakfast fare will greatly increase your health as well as adding excitement to your breakfast dishes. Adding cinnamon to your coffee filter with the coffee is a great way to start the day. For those with a bit of a sweet tooth, add a little bit of sugar. Cinnamon or Ginger on your cereal will brighten eyes. It’s especially good on oatmeal.
Some of the benefits of cinnamon include iron, calcium and manganese. It also helps regulate blood sugar in diabetics. It lowers cholesterol, attack yeast infections, help with certain forms of cancer, is an anti coagulant, is a natural preservative, improves memory and helps to block the growth of E. coli in unpasteurized juice. In a study by the university of Copenhagen, patients were given a teaspoon of cinnamon with the same amount of honey every day for a month. After the first week the patients had considerable relief from arthritis. After the first month of the study, most could walk without pain. Try adding the cinnamon and honey topping to your toast every morning.
Giving up good tasting food in not a prerequisite for healthy eating. Quite the opposite is true, adding Herbs and Spices to your food adds excitement and health. Look for ways to increase the nutritional content while also making the food rival with the dishes found in gourmet restaurants. Your family will never know they are eating healthier they will just know it tastes great.
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