Antioxidant-Rich Spices For Your Good Health
Have you heard the word antioxidant before? Especially around the subjects that concern health benefits. You might have, But what do you know about these important nutrients? Do you know its sources? Are they only available in fruits and vegetables? There are a lot of questions that surround us when it comes to antioxidants. Today, we will discuss antioxidants and a different source of antioxidants that people often overlook. We are talking about the different types of spices that contain antioxidants and protect our health from the damage caused by free radicals.
Many spices are rich in antioxidants such as turmeric, basil, birds eye chilli, cilantro, and cinnamon. All these antioxidant-rich spices protect against the naturally harmful chemicals in our bodies. So let's discuss in detail what antioxidants are, how they benefit us, and what spices are rich in antioxidants.
What Are Antioxidants?
Antioxidants are molecules that are considered free radical scavengers. They combat all the free radicals that cause diseases like heart, cancer, diabetes, and more. In addition to that, they also protect the cells from free radicals damage so that the body can perform all its functions efficiently.
In addition to that, the right antioxidant intake can help you with various health benefits like healthy eyes, better brain health, less oxidative stress, and loads more. While our body has its own antioxidant defences to keep free radicals in check, we should also get them through different food sources. So, let's discuss a very overlooked source of antioxidants.
Antioxidant-Rich Spices You Must Know About
Out of all the prominent sources of antioxidants, we will discuss the herbs and spices that are high in antioxidants and offer protection for your cells against free radicals. We all know that spices act as a great element to add flavour to any dish but we should also know that they bring us many health benefits. From cinnamon to turmeric and black pepper, we are going to discuss it all.
Ginger
Ginger is one of the most versatile herbs that pairs quite well with any herbs or spices. You can use it fresh, dried, or in the form of ginger powder in your everyday routine. The spice has a spicy and warm flavour. It is rich in antioxidants that help fight the free radicals that cause diabetes, heart disease, and stomach issues. In addition to that, it also helps prevent menstrual pain.
Birds Eye Chilli
Chilli powder, especially bird's eye chilli powder, is one of the best antioxidant-rich spices often overlooked. It is a blend of ground chilli peppers with other herbs like black pepper and spices. As a result, the spice is high in various antioxidants, each of which may play an important role in your health. In addition to that, chilli powder is also rich in nutrients like vitamins A and C that, along with the antioxidants, improve heart health and boost the body's cognitive function.
Turmeric
Already very prominent, turmeric is another spice that is loaded with important nutrients and antioxidants. This bright yellow spice is the heart and soul of Indian Asian cuisine. Turmeric is very high in antioxidants, fibre, zinc, and iron helps in improving digestion, and reduces inflammation. In addition, due to its high oxidant content, it helps reduce the count of free radicals in the body and strengthens the immune system. Combination of turmeric and black pepper increases the bio availability by up to 2000%.
Cinnamon
One of the most popular and healthy spices you can consume is cinnamon. Not just for cooking, cinnamon is a spice majorly known for its amazing health benefits. It is easy to consume in both the form of a powder or as a whole pod. The spice is rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, and phenolic acids promote good health. These antioxidants in cinnamon help improve blood sugar control, fight bacteria, and lower bad cholesterol levels.
Cloves
You might be surprised to know that cloves are one of the spices that have the highest and incredible antioxidant properties. The compounds in cloves help your body fight free radicals and remove them from the system. The special antioxidants found in cloves help reduce the risk of developing heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes too. In addition to that, clove also contains a special compound called eugenol that acts as a natural antioxidant and helps in reducing oxidative stress in the body.
