Spices play a significant role in the way we cook and consume food around the world. Every spice has its own flavoring and essence, and its addition or omission can literally make or break a dish. Spices are known to have several health benefits; in fact it's the addition of a bouquet of spices, that make traditional indian home-cooked food one of the healthiest meals eaten around the world.
Here's a list of 38 different spices which you should start adding to your meals for healthy living.
1. Allspice: It is a kind of berry that combines flavors of pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon for a power-packed flavour dose. It helps in digestion, has anti inflammatory properties, improves circulation, promotes dental health, enhances immunity and promotes heart health.
2. Celery Seeds: Native from the Mediterranean region, celery seeda are also used as tea. It treats menstrual problems, lowers anxiety, treats your joints problem, lowers uric acid in the body and lowers inflammation.
3. Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a favourite household spice which has been used throughout the world for ages. It has large number of antioxidants which protects body from body diseases and have many anti-inflammatory. Cinnamon forms a part of many exotic dishes and is currently trending because of its ability to reduce a tummy bloat.
4. Cayenne: It is grown in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of India, Africa, United States of America and Mexico. It has various health benefits, it aids in digestion, stimulates blood circulation, has anti bacterial properties and helps in weight loss too.
5. Cassia: It Is usually sold as a form of cinnamon. It used in cooking and has many healthy benefits which helps the whole body run properly, it also helps in boosting the immune system, maintains healthy digestion. It is also known as an effective antidepressant which keeps your body and mind relaxed and at peace.
6. Caraway Seed: They are a good source of dietary fibre. They are used as tea and as a seasoning. It contains various essential vitamins like A, E, C as well as a number of B-complex vitamins. They remove harmful free radicals from the body. It is known to be a really effective treatment for cough.
7. Dill: It has many vitamins and minerals which are beneficial for the body. It has many health benefits which includes, aiding digestion, managing insomnia and as a quick cure to hiccups. Dill is also known the regulate menstruation and helps take care of our oral health.
8. Frankincense: It is a type of sweet gum. It has been used for centuries for its healing properties. It is also used in aromatherapy which provides you with many health beenfits as it helps you to cure chronic stress, reduces pain and boosts immunity.
9. Fennel: This spice is a rich source of dietary fiber. Its powerful antioxidants helps in removing harmful free radicals from the body and promotes a healthy being, it helps fight aging and other degenerative neurological diseases.
10. Fenugreek: It improves digestion, is known to increase libido in men, promotes milk flow in mothers, helps those suffering from eating disorders and also reduces inflammation.
11. Horseradish: It is a bitter spicy root. It is has antioxidants properties which help to reduce skin damage.
12. Juniper Berries: They are usually used to detoxify the body and promotes healthy digestion and skin health. They also has natural antiseptic and antioxidant properties.
13. Licorice: It has various benefits which include helping in digestive issues, stomach ulcers, colic, heartburn and any ongoing inflammation in the stomach.
14. Mace: Mace is the outer coat of the nutmeg seed. It aids your appetite, helps manage stress and enhances blood circulation. It also acts as a fragrance, has anti inflammatory properties and protect your kidneys.
15. Mustard: This seed comes from the ground and has a spicy flavor. Native to the temperate areas of Europe, mustard helps reduce pain, stimulates appetite and relieves symptoms of arthritis.
16. Nutmeg: It improves bad breath, helps detox the livers, helps you to sleep well and is known to improve the texture of your skin.
17. Paprika: Peppers are used both in whole and powdered forms. Powdered paprika has many benefits and its flavor is quite mild. A rich source of anti inflammatory agents, paprika helps lower blood pressure and promotes eye health.
18. Peppercorns: Its a rich source of vitamin K, manganese and iron. It aids weight loss, is a good ingredient for diabetic people and balances blood pressure.
19. Saffron: It helps manage asthma, aids in menstrual problems and soothes dry skin.
20. Savory: It has antiseptic properties, cures throat, aids in digestion.
21. Sumac: Antioxidants make sumac once of the most healthy spices to eat. Antioxidants help neutralise the effects of free-radical damage that could lead to many severe illnesses in the long run, including cancer. Anti-oxidants also help delay the signs of aging.
22. Star Anise: It has antioxidant properties which has vitamin c, and has anti fungal uses and improves women's health.
23. Sesame: This seed has a nutty taste. It has cholesterol lowering compounds, helps balance hormones, and crucially boosts nutrition absortption.
24. Tabasco Pepper: It fulfils your vitamin C needs. It has almost zero calories. It helps control metabolism, cures arthritis, and prevents soar throat.
25. Turmeric: This spice is packed with antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is good for your brain, relieves arthritis, prevents cancer and has healing properties.
26. Jalapeno Pepper: They are rich with antioxidants, cures muscle aches.
27. Galangal: Eating galangal helps relieve the pain in the stomach and abdomen because of inflammation or other diseases.
