Add Spice to Your Life to Feel More Alive!

Research About Spice

An article by World of Nutrition (ref. 2) summaries the findings from a variety of research papers describing the effects that spices and herbs may have on Cardio Vascular conditions. Details of these findings can be seen in Nutrition Today (ref. 3)

The key study was conducted by Penn State nutritionists. They prepared meals on two separate days for six men aged between 30 and 65 who were overweight, but otherwise healthy. The meals were identical—consisting of chicken, bread and a dessert biscuit—except that the researchers added two tablespoons of a high-antioxidant spice blend to the test meal. This blend included garlic powder, rosemary, oregano, cinnamon, cloves, paprika, turmeric, ginger and black pepper.

For the next three hours after each meal, blood was regularly drawn from the study participants. The results showed that antioxidant activity in the blood increased by 13% in the men who ate the test meal versus those in the control group. Also for all the men taking the test meal, triglyceride levels reduced, for some, by as much as 30% (Triglyceride levels normally rise after eating a meal with fat in it)

The nutritionists commented: “The metabolic effects of spices and herbs and their efficacy and safety for CVD relative to traditional drug therapy, represent an exciting area for future research given the public health significance of cardiovascular disease"

These nutritionists also reviewed three categories of studies -- spice blends, cinnamon and garlic to assess the heart health effects.

The Garlic Studies

The garlic studies reviewed were inconclusive. This may be because the trials had a wide range of garlic doses, from 9 mg of garlic oil to 10 grams of raw garlic. However the results were significant enough for the researchers to note that across the studies, there was an 8% decrease in total cholesterol with garlic consumption. They associated this with a decrease in the risk of heart problems in 50-year-old adults. Though they didn’t explain how they came up with that association!

An earlier Cardiology Review publication (ref. 4), further illustrates how several studies appear to show the positive effects of garlic on cardiovascular health. The authors commented that “Several epidemiologic studies have indicated that certain diets are associated with low risk of cardiovascular disease and that these diets are rich in fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices; the common spice among them is garlic.”

This same Cardiology Review also shows studies describing how herbs and spices (in addition to garlic) appear to have a beneficial cardiovascular effect. 

Five Other Healthy Spices

1. Curcumin (turmeric)

This may have antioxidant properties that help to support healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

2. Ginger (gingerol)

Gingerol may help to relax blood vessels, stimulate blood flow and relieve discomfort. Other potentially active compounds present in ginger may help with healthy inflammation management.

3. Black pepper (piperine)

Piperine appears to have important antioxidant and immune supporting benefits which may help to reduce toxicity, and to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels

4. Cinnamon

Cinnamon with its antioxidant qualities may help to support cardio health.

5. Coriander

Coriander has been used in the past to support the health of people needing support for cholesterol imbalances and pancreatic function. Some studies have indicated that the seeds of coriander appear to help to suppress the level of lipids and lipoproteins in the blood. Lipoproteins bind cholesterol and can accumulate in blood vessels. High levels of specific lipoproteins, namely, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), have been associated with an elevated risk of certain forms of cardiovascular conditions.