Lifestyle
7 Antioxidant-Rich Spices for Your Health
Spices are packed with polyphenols, which are plant-based compounds that function as antioxidants. Free radicals are molecules that cause damage to healthy cells, resulting in aging and disease. Polyphenols neutralize free radicals to inhibit oxidative damage. By consuming foods rich in polyphenols, we boost our immune systems and reduce cellular inflammation.
Chili Peppers (randyperinofitness.com)
Chili
Chili is packed with antioxidants and has various other disease preventive and curative properties. Capsaicin, the primary component in chili peppers, stifles the growth of prostate cancer cells. It could also prevent the shrinking of cancerous tumors. Research suggests that chili may also improve heart health and help to prevent obesity.
Paprika
Paprika
Rich in antioxidants, paprika boosts cardiovascular health and aids cancer prevention, too. Paprika contains flavonoids that neutralize free radicals and promote healthy detoxification. Paprika may also alleviate the chronic pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.
Mustard seed
Mustard
Mustard is a spice that has powerful pain-relieving, antiseptic, and expectorant properties. Its antioxidant component helps treat a range of conditions, right from allergies to arthritis. Mustard also enhances digestion, defends healthy cells against damaging free radicals and prevents diseases such as cancer.
Turmeric
Turmeric
Curcumin is the main compound in turmeric. It has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a highly effective medicinal spice. It destroys the blood vessels that feed cancerous tumors, cutting off the blood supply to cancerous cells. Curcumin can also inhibit the development of metastasis.
Oregano
Oregano
Oregano is rich in antioxidants and helps protect against a wide range of infections. Carvacrol, a molecule present in oregano, may help counteract the spread of cancer cells.
Ginger
Ginger
Ginger is a powerful antioxidant spice that helps with the treatment of everything from colds to Alzheimer’s disease. It may also help reduce the inflammation associated with joint pain and arthritis. Research also suggests that ginger has cancer-preventive potential.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon
The antioxidants in cinnamon help stabilize blood sugar levels and manage diabetes. Studies suggest that cinnamon may help with increasing insulin sensitivity, lowering cholesterol levels, reducing inflammation and slowing down cancerous tumor growth.
Source: healthmeup.com