Which Herbs and Spices are good for you (cinnamon, paprika, etc)

Agric4Profits November 8, 2023April 14, 2024 0 Comments Nature's Pharmacy

Herbs and spices like cinnamon, paprika, and many more do not only make our foods tastier but they also ensure we stay healthy through the nutritional and health benefits they provide in our body associated with their amazing healing powers, therefore cooking with them often is recommended so we can continue to enjoy these benefits they provide for us.

Most times a lot of people confuse herbs from spices and as such end up sometimes classifying herbs as spices and spices as herbs… smiles

The major difference between herbs and spices is that herbs are often leaves of a plant while spices are made from roots, seeds, barks, or berries of a plant.

Adding herbs and spices to your food enhances the flavor of your meal while providing their compounds as well as the other foods you are eating to work together and provide the required health benefits they got to offer in your body.

According to research, there are more than 100 common spices used in cooking around the world that provide unique health benefits to the human body and this makes many people often get confused as to which herbs and spices will be good for cooking.

I’m sure a lot of you will want to know the reasons why herbs and spices are important in cooking foods, why are herbs and spices beneficial to our health, or why use herbs and spices?

With all these being said, today we are going to discuss our randomly picked popular herbs and spices which are very good for your health below in no particular order below.

8 Herbs and Spices that are Good For You

1. Paprika

Which Herbs and Spices are good for you (cinnamon, paprika, etc)

Paprika is a popular spice made from dried and ground red peppers. Paprika is generally and principally used to season and color food like rice, stews, soups and so many other kinds of foods while adding its awesome flavor to the dishes.

According to research, paprika contains capsaicin, a compound found in peppers that have been shown to have a wide range of health benefits which include its antioxidant properties that can help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, improve immunity, and even alleviate gas thereby making paprika a perfect spice for everyone.

2. Ginger

Ginger is a very popular spice generally known for its ability to relieve nausea, stomach upset, morning sickness, and diarrhea.

Further research has found that ginger is effective at calming pregnancy-related nausea and reducing tummy upset after surgery.

According to research, ginger is also packed with gingerols, an inflammation-fighting compound which some experts believe may help fight some cancers, reduce osteoarthritis pain and soothe sore muscles.

3. Garlic

Garlic is one of the very popular spices we use often on our foods which is generally known for its ability to boost heart health, it may help to protect your heart from changes that lead to heart disease.

Currently, garlic is widely used for several conditions linked to the blood system and heart, including atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high cholesterol, heart attack, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.

According to research, this wonderful spice can also be used by some people for the prevention of lung cancer, rectal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer, and colon cancer.

4. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a popular spice that comes from the bark of the cinnamon tree which is generally known for its ability to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes making it a very great and useful spice for people with high blood sugar.

Aside from its ability to lower blood sugar, cinnamon also lends a sweet taste to food without adding sugar and may also provide heart-healthy benefits, such as reducing high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels which is especially important for people with diabetes who are at greater risk for developing heart disease.

Meanwhile, although cinnamon is not a replacement for diabetes medication or a carbohydrate-controlled diet, it can be a helpful addition to a healthy lifestyle.

The American Heart Association recommends using sweet spices like cinnamon to add flavor instead of sugar and other sweeteners as it is said that most Americans eat way too much sugar, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other serious conditions, therefore, replacing sugar with cinnamon may help reduce or prevent these health issues.

Read Also: Herbs and Spices Growing Guide

5. Oregano

Oregano is popularly known for its ability to boost heart health and fight infections. It also boasts many nutrients, including vitamins K and E, calcium, iron, manganese, and fiber.

Oregano is also said to strengthen the immunity system, improves digestion, improves bone health, helps manage diabetes, and boosts energy levels.

Also according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), per 100 grams of oregano contain 4.28 gm fat, 25 mg sodium, 1260 mg potassium, 68.92 gm carbohydrates, and 9 gm protein, including vitamin A (34%), calcium (159%), vitamin C (3%), iron (204%), vitamin B6 (50%) and magnesium (67%). Also, there is no cholesterol in oregano.

6. Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the amazing spices filled with unique health benefits and is popularly known for its ability to fight inflammation because it contains a substance called curcumin.

This substance ‘’curcumin’’ is said to may reduce inflammation in the brain according to research, and because of its anti-inflammatory qualities, curcumin is also effective at reducing pain ( even from minor toothaches), heart disease, diabetes, and swelling in people with arthritis.

7. Thyme

Thyme is one of the very popular and most used spices in cooking which is generally known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects that may be useful in treating everything from intestinal infections to skin conditions.

Further research provides that thyme contains chemicals that might help bacterial and fungal infections and minor irritations as the plant contains compounds like thymol (a plant-based phenol specific to thyme) that is known to control or neutralize certain bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections.

It also might relieve smooth muscle spasms, such as coughing, and have antioxidant effects.

8. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is one of the popular spices used for cooking which comes from the seed of the evergreen nutmeg tree. it has many amazing health benefits, including its ability to relieve pain, soothe indigestion, strengthen cognitive function, detoxify the body, boost skin health, alleviate oral conditions, reduce insomnia, increase immune system function, and prevent leukemia, and improve blood circulation.

Aside from its many culinary uses, nutmeg contains powerful anti-inflammatory plant compounds that act as antioxidants. These may improve mood, blood sugar control, and heart health, though more research is needed on these effects in humans.

Do you know about other wonderful herbs and spices which we couldn’t include on this list and do you feel they should be added to the list? If so then kindly use the comment box below for all your submissions, questions, and any other form of contribution you have.