Using spices to add flavor to your meals is a delight! But waking up our tastebuds isn’t the only benefit we gain when we prepare meals using spices. Did you know certain herbs and spices can protect us from some acute and chronic diseases? For centuries people have sought the health benefits of spices and herbs through culinary and medicinal purposes. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends fish and fish oil supplements for the prevention of coronary artery disease. Vascular inflammation is the underlying cause of coronary artery disease. Too much inflammation in our body over a long period of time is damaging. Generally, an anti-inflammatory diet includes many herbs and spices but here are the top five:

1. Garlic
2. Turmeric
3. Ginger
4. Cinnamon
5. Cayenne

Learn more about how to begin incorporating these spices into your diet from dieticians who base their recommendations on science. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/nutrition/healthy-eating/best-spices-for-arthritis. Always look for reliable sources, based on peer-reviewed research. Before making any changes to your diet, consult your physician.

For a deeper dive you can review the additional sources used to write this blog by following these links:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-acute-and-chronic-inflammation

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30651162/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3011108/