Spice Up Your Life

Adding a variety of spices to your diet may help you eat healthier and enjoy it more. According to studies published in the Journal of Food Science, researchers found that herbs and spices like coriander and dill helped people eat their veggies, while a dash of cinnamon made raw fruits take on a whole new zing on the palate.

Another study done on a half a million Chinese people by Harvard University researchers, suggests that spicy food may help you live longer. Specifically, people who eat chilli peppers a few times a week lower their risk of death by 14% in any given period compared with those who stick to blander foods. Why? It’s thought that capsaicin, a compound found in peppers, has a beneficial effect on metabolism and directly reduces your risk of developing a range of ailments, including cancer.

Other research has shown that apigenin, a flavonoid found in spicy red peppers like cayenne, may also strengthen connections between brain cells and be a powerful agent in preserving key brain functions such as memory and learning. This, in turn, may provide protection against disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and some mental disorders such as schizophrenia.

So if you’re trying to cut out the sugars and fats and eat more raw and natural foods, bust out the spice rack. Bring on the Mexican or Szechwan peppers! Whip up a spicy Indian curry for dinner tonight! Your body, mind and tastebuds will thank you.

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