Spicy Foods are SO good for you!

[mcscajun]

Remember the old "conventional wisdom" that said too many spices/herbs weren't good for you? Bah, humbug! We've known it for years: garlic is good for you. Recent reports say cinnamon has some special benefits to diabetics. This article mentions many of my favorite spices/herbs.

Use more herbs, spices; your body will thank you
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Gannett News Service

Research indicates herbs and spices have more disease-fighting antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables. Fitness magazine reveals how to rack up the benefits:

Cinnamon
•Health boost: Can lower blood sugar, triglycerides, LDL and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes. Aim for 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day.
•Get cooking: Dip berries or bananas in low-fat sour cream, then in a mix of 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and one-fourth cup brown sugar.

Rosemary
•Health boost: Might stop gene mutations that could lead to cancer and may help prevent damage to the blood vessels that raises heart attack risk.
•Get cooking: For a delicious chicken rub, combine 2 teaspoons rosemary leaves with 2 teaspoons seasoning salt and 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves.

Garlic
•Health boost: Research indicates garlic might destroy cancer cells and disrupt the metabolism of tumor cells. Studies suggest that one or two cloves weekly provide cancer-protective benefits.
•Get cooking: Let garlic sit for 10 to 15 minutes after chopping and before cooking so the active form of the protective phytochemicals develops. Saute fresh garlic over low heat and mix with pasta, red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese.

Paprika
•Health boost: Contains capsaicin, whose anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may lower the risk of cancer (also found in cayenne and red chile peppers). Moderate doses recommended.
•Get cooking: Combine 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika, one-half teaspoon ground thyme and 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper to liven up popcorn.

Oregano
•Health boost: A USDA study found that, gram for gram, oregano has the highest antioxidant activity of 27 fresh culinary herbs.
•Get cooking: To spice up tomato soup, add 3/4 teaspoon oregano to 1 can; add 1/2 teaspoon to 2 cups pasta or pizza sauce. Substitute 1 teaspoon dried oregano for 2 teaspoons fresh.

http://www.uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060514/LIFE/605140302/1059

[Gormy Cuss]

1. No problem here

except for the cinnamon dosage. We may be approaching toxic levels of capsaicin and garlic phytochemicals.;-)

[mcscajun]

4. Sounds like I could eat at your place.

Quite happily. :)

[htuttle]

2. "Studies suggest that one or two cloves (of garlic) weekly"

Heck, I use one or two cloves of garlic per meal. I think I'm covered there...

[mcscajun]

3. One or two per serving seems to work for me.

I read those older recipes serving 6-8 and calling for one or two cloves of garlic, and I just laugh.

[Warpy]

5. Too many weasel words for me

meaning "might," and "may," and "can," and "could."

I'll continue cooking for taste, thanks, and take my medicine in the pills I've been on for years.

[eleny]

6. At least these all taste great

When I'm sick with a slight fever from an obvious cold, I always have some hot tea with ginger. Nice flavor and helps break a sweat. Once when I went to the doc with a bad sore throat, she agreed that since it was so painful I needed a strep test. To be on the safe side, at least. But her advice was for me to go home to bed and treat myself like mom did when I was little. Against a virus, that's often the best medicine.

Like you, I wouldn't get off meds. But I do think there's *something to *some of this. How's that for weasel wording!

[Stinky The Clown]

11. I have an aunt who is 91

She swears by many of these sorts of notions.

For all of my life, she's had a cup of plain hot water in the morning. She claims it keeps her regular, but without the coffee side effects. But then she drinks coffee at night. :shrug:

She eats all sorts of fresh herbs and lots of garlic. Her herb use is pretty diciplined raher than for any specific taste. (Making this up....) Bay leaves on Monday in something. Tarragon on Tuesday in something. Sage on Wednesday in something ..... etc.

Much of her protien intake is fish and shellfish. But all her beef gets eaten nearly raw. Not too much poultry.

Lots of macaroni with herb sauces (see above).

She eats most of her vegetables barely cooked, but rarely eats salads. She even uses lettuce in some of her soups ("it gives its nutrients up to the broth").

When she has a cold, she drinks anything that's hot and makes her sweat. Chicken broth with scallions and garlic simmered in it is he favorite.

She's had asthma all her life and now has arthritis, but beyond that she's healthy as a horse. And sharp as a tack.

[mcscajun]

8. Does anyone here NOT cook for taste?

I certainly do. It's just nice to know the things I already like are good for me. :)

[Warpy]

12. I sold health foods for years and it scarred me for life

and yes, there are people out there who think anything worth doing is worth overdoing and think their food should be their medicine and it all ends up tasting like dirt. Or worse.

Like I said, too many weasel words out there for me.

[mcscajun]

14. Oh, I know they're out there...I just guessed that maybe they're not

in here. :)

I work with a Doctor who feels like you said "food should be their medicine" -- he can make you crazy with the stuff he comes up with.

[eleny]

7. Oregano oil is powerful stuff

I was getting the beginnings of "ugly toenail" on one toe. I used the oregano oil on it for a week and the fungus disappeard. It has never returned. The only drawback was that I smelled like Italian salad dressing!

[mcscajun]

9. Drawback?

:rofl:

[eleny]

10. C&B doubles as a Comedy Forum!

[wildeyed]

13. Yeah, I love all that stuff!

And I have very healthy rosemary and oregano plants growing right outside my back door. I have been adding a healthy dose of cinnamon to my breakfast oatmeal every morning since I read something about that helping with blood sugar. Can't say if it helps or not, but it tastes great so who cares?

[kestrel91316]

15. If memory serves me right, turmeric is another one with health benefits.

[BuddhaGirl]

17. tumeric is a wonderful anti-inflammatory

I have a friend who uses it to treat his pain from arthritis. Food can be wonderful medicine :-)

[catnhatnh]

16. The real health benefit.....

....is if you try it hard enough it might taste Jamaican.....

[NashVegas]

18. Historically, Is It Surprising?

That wars were once fought over spice trade routes?