These are natural flavor enhancers, without which the dish will be boring. Spices and condiments add variety to the usual menu and are also healthy. Here are a few facts you don’t know about.
- Ginger, garlic, as well as some other spices, contain substances that increase metabolism, and therefore their use contributes to weight loss. They also force the body to release more energy, thereby expending more calories. On the other hand, such spices whet the appetite, so you shouldn’t get carried away with them.
- Dried cloves are the buds of a clove tree, not flowers. It is rich in oil and contains beneficial omega-3 acids, it is a good antiseptic and digestive enhancer.
- Bay leaf is used not only for cooking, but also takes part in the manufacture of camphor oil, because this leaf contains 3,5 percent of essential oils. Bay leaf is allowed in the diet for gastrointestinal diseases.
- Parsley leaves are a good diuretic that acts gently and gradually. And also parsley improves digestion.
- Dill and cumin stimulate the production of breast milk and soothe colic in newborns, and are also useful in the fight against dry cough as an aid.
- Dried and fresh ginger, due to their completely different taste, are considered different seasonings. Dried is used in confectionery, and fresh in tea and salads – it gives pungency and piquancy.
- It is good for diabetics to eat cinnamon and cloves. These spices are antioxidants and protect the body from inflammation and pain.
- Spicy foods and spices can soothe pain. The fact is that when they are eaten, the nerve endings in the tongue are irritated, and our hormonal system tries to relieve pain, but does not act locally, but as a whole, lowering the pain threshold.
- Basil comes in two colors – green and purple. Basil is rich in vitamins and minerals: iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium, vitamins A and C.
- Hot red peppers give off capsaicin, black peppers give off piperine, onions give off allicin and garlic are isocyanates. All of these substances are found in plants to deter animals. In the same way, they act on the bacteria that live on our mucous membranes of the mouth and nasopharynx, and therefore it is useful to use them during the period of illness.
- For problems with blood pressure, such hot spices as pepper are prohibited, but garlic, onions and horseradish can and should be included in the diet – they are safe for the heart and blood vessels.
- If you have intestinal problems, star anise and star anise should definitely appear on your plate. Due to the essential oils they contain, these spices significantly improve peristalsis.
- Add rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme when frying food – these herbs, due to strong antioxidants, fight carcinogens that are released during cooking.
- Contrary to the traditional opinion that mint is a seasoning for desserts, it also plays well in a duet with meat, fish and vegetable products. Mint also helps with nausea and headaches.
- People suffering from peptic ulcer disease do not have to eat only lean. Natural flavor enhancers such as mint, cumin, fennel, sage and thyme are allowed.