Six super-mix to spice up life

SPICING up mealtimes can serve up surprising health benefits.

From easing arthritis to fighting travel sickness, your spice rack is your kitchen’s medicine cabinet.

Spices are cheap and last for ages. You probably have most of these stashed there already.

So here are your super six.

1. Cinnamon for blood

With antioxidants that combat inflammation and lower cholesterol, cinnamon is a winner.

A study in the Diabetes Care journal says it improved blood glucose and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Spices are never a replacement for medication or a proper diet, but can be a helpful addition.

Meal tip: Sprinkle on yogurt, fruit or por porridge rridge or use in stews or as a meat rub. 2. Turmeric for depression This curry essential lh has become b a trendy mood-boosting superfood. In Chinese medicine, turmeric is used for epression, heartburn, diarrhoea, bloating and colds. It is even known for its antibacterial properties and used on wounds and ringworm. Turmeric contains a substance called curcumin, which could reduce inflammation in the brain, linked to Alzheimer’s.

Meal tip: Rub it on roasted veg and meat or sprinkle in tacos. 3. Ginger for muscles Research has found ginger calms nausea and tummy upsets after surgery. It can prevent wind, id soothe the intestinal tract and can be used for travel sickness and morning sickness.

An infusion of fresh, thinly sliced root ginger in boiling water is a great home remedy for colds and flu this winter.

Meea Me Meal tip: Add to stir-fry d dis dishes, smoothies and ssa salad dressings.

4. Garlic for hea hearts art and lower cholesterol chol le

Researcher Researche Researchers have linked garlic with happier hearts and lower blood pressure. Used j just like a spice, it can also give flavour without adding salt. . So it is well worth the whiff.

Bulbs give more hea health alth benefits to powdered. ed.

It is thought that at garlic may help lower ow wer blood pressure in part rt by y stimulating the production on off of nitric i i oxide, which is a compound mp dh that plays a key role in widening your blood vessels.

Meal tip: Pair fresh or powdered garlic with olive oil and pepper to flavour vegetables

Ior use it with rosemary to make a tasty meat rub. You can sprinkle it in your soups and salad dressings too.

5. Cayenne for arthritis Cayenne pepper contains a clever substance called capsaicin, which reduces the pain signals sent to your brain.

It can target discomfort caused by arthritis and diabetes-related nerve damage. You can even apply creams with capsaicin on to joints and muscles.

Research suggests eating cayenne pepper can help with the agonising pain of ulcers. People often associate spicy foods with dodgy stomachs. But capsaicin has been shown to help reduce ulcers by restricting the growth of an ulcer- causing bacteria, cutting down excess stomach acid and increasing blood flow.

Meal tip: Use this super spice any time you want to add heat to your food. It is great in chili, soups, stews and on meat. For a fun twist, add a dash of it to your hot chocolate.

6. Fennel seeds for wind and painful pperiods

These sweet, liquorice-flavoured liqu seeds are traditionally tradit used to help relieve bloating and flatuu flatulence but, accoo cording to a study p published in Inn India’s Journal Of R Research, women who h had fennel seed extracts during their periods reported substantial relief from menstrual cramps.

Meal tip: Simmer a teaspoon of seeds in boiling water for about five minutes before adding honey for sweetness.