Inflammation is a common physiological reaction to when something isn’t right in the body. It’s basically the body’s defense mechanism that happens when the body recognizes harmful stimuli, with the inflammation a sign that the body is working to heal itself. It’s most often a symptom associated with arthritis and other chronic conditions, but it’s the same body function that causes your throat to get sore and scratchy when you get a cold or the flu.
When a person feels the effects of inflammation soreness, swelling, and outright pain it’s common to reach for a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofen. However, taking these drugs on a regular basis can actually cause long-term damage and increase risks of heart disease.
For those who suffer from chronic inflammation, it’s essential to work to mitigate or reduce inflammation through diet. And that’s where these spices come in! If you suffer from this condition, working the following spices into your diet on a regular basis will go a long way to helping to make you feel better on a regular basis.
Turmeric
Also sometimes called curcumin, turmeric is one of the top spices to use to help you reduce inflammation. It’s nothing new and has been used as medicine for thousands of years. Its yellow color is most often associated with curries, and its health benefits are numerous. Not only is it a strong anti-inflammatory, but some studies have found links with improved brain function, reduced risk of heart disease, and even fighting Alzheimer’s.
Despite its association with curry, you might be interested to learn that there are a variety of uses for this wonder-spice, including:
- Scrambled eggs or frittatas
- Roast with vegetables, like peppers, cauliflower, and potatoes or other root vegetables
- Simmer turmeric with coconut milk to make Golden Milk
Ginger
Ginger has been used in human cuisine and medicine for more than 5,000 years. Ginger is well-known for its positive effects on your digestive tract, but it’s also a versatile spice that can add a real zest to any dish. Some ideas include:
- Use fresh ginger to make ginger tea with a little lemon and honey
- Stir fry it with garlic and onions for the base of a vegetarian stir fry
- Make candied ginger for a healthy and sweet snack on the go
- Mix with carrot juice for a strong morning pick-me-up
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the key spices in the nebulous pumpkin spice category. It has a number of proven health benefits, including lowering blood sugar levels, fighting inflammation, and even lowering cholesterol.
Best of all, it’s incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways, including:
- In coffee
- Over frozen yogurt
- Nearly any baked good
- Tomato sauce
- Fruit shakes
Black Pepper
Salt and pepper are a staple of cooking nearly everywhere, but black pepper in particular has been found to have a significant effect on inflammation. It’s also known for having anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. And, of course, you can put black pepper on nearly anything.
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