The Health Benefits of Spices

New research shows that herbs and spices also pack a powerful punch when it comes to antioxidants. A USDA study looked at nearly 40common herbs and spices to test their antioxidant activity. Oregano emerged as the leader of the pack. Researchers found that oregano has 3 to 20 times more antioxidant activity than the other herbs studied. In fact, it has more than many fruits and vegetables. Oregano has 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times moret han oranges and 4 times more than blueberries. But that's not the only herb or spice that can improve your health. Dill, thyme, sage,rosemary, ginger and even peppermint have high antioxidant levelstoo.The main ingredient in curry is turmeric, from which a spice called Curcumin is derived. Dr. Sally Frautschy, Ph.D., is a researcher from UCLA who has done extensive testing on Curcumin. She says that"we accidentally found out that it blocks every single step in Alzheimer's pathogenesis and it kills nearly every cancer cell in the lab." In India, curry is part of the staple diet; they also have the lowest rates of Alzheimer's disease in the world.Marcia Herrin, R.D., a nutritionist at the Dartmouth Medical School says "practically every herb and spice that's been studied has some health benefit," herbs and spices are loaded with antioxidants, but we may not be getting those benefits as much as we could. Herrin says Americans don't use many herbs and spices compared to the rest of the world.Researchers also say that many of these antioxidants in herbs and spices are only absorbed by the body when they're eaten with fat,so use recipes that include good fats like olive oil to help your body to absorb and use the antioxidants.So I want all of you to start using more spices in your kitchen.And as always please visit my free website www.goodlifefoundation.com and send your questions to drhohn@goodlifefoundation.com If you are looking for good healthy food to eat I recommend the foods from www.greatwholefood.com In good health, Dr Thomas Hohn MD NMD