Spice up your Christmas The five spices that come with benefits

They’re more than just tasty additions to your festive cooking. These five spices provide an abundance of health benefits too…

From delicious goji berries to unpronounceable superfood powders, we’re always being encouraged to stock up on a new must-buy product to boost our health, but your spice rack could be harbouring just as many – if not more – of these benefits, from better ageing to oral health.

Cinnamon

From a cinnamon stick in a jug of mulled wine to a sprinkling of powder on a cake, this well-loved spice needs to remain a key player in your Christmas cooking. Why? “Cinnamon is thought to help lower blood sugar levels by interfering with certain digestive enzymes that breakdown carbohydrates in the digestive tract,” says nutritionist Rob Hobson. Studies also claim that it may have beneficial effects on blood markers in those with type 2 diabetes.

Cinnamon is also loaded with polyphenols, which act as antioxidants in the body, protecting it from oxidative damage. Oxidative damage – common during stressful life periods – occurs when too many free radicals are produced by our bodies, but antioxidants can effectively mop these up.

As if that wasn’t enough, Rob explains: “Cinnamon also acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory. Chronic inflammation can contribute to longterm disease and damage body tissues.”

Cloves

They’ve traditionally been used to help numb the pain of toothache but next time you’re studding your ham with cloves, rest happy in the knowledge that they also contain antioxidant compounds, such as eugenol, which stop or delay damage to cells. This in turn can ward off signs of ageing. Rob also reveals that “cloves are thought to contain antimicrobial properties that may stop the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria.”

Star anise

A star in more than name, this eight-pointed spice is a brilliant source of iron, great for people with low levels. Iron – a key nutrient for women going through the menopause – supports the production of healthy red blood cells and wards off tiredness and fatigue.

What’s more, Rob reveals: “Star anise has been researched for its antibacterial effects, in particular its capacity to help with infections of the stomach. It’s also been traditionally used to help with respiratory conditions, such as sore throats and coughs.” Coming down with something? Try a cup of anise tea during the early stirrings of an infection.

Nutmeg

Traditionally, it has been used to promote good digestion as well as treating diarrhoea, but nutmeg is also thought to have antibacterial properties. “Traditional remedies often use this spice to support good oral health,” says Rob. Plus, it’s a source of magnesium, helping to support bone health and the conversion of food into energy.

Ginger

It’s renowned for its role in easing nausea – especially morning sickness in pregnant women. “Ginger may also be useful for women who suffer from severe menstrual pain,” says Rob. He explains that this strongflavoured spice is also thought to speed up the emptying of the stomach, helping people with chronic indigestion. w&h