Spice up your life

When trying a new food, the most alluring (or intimidating) thing can be the use of spice. For some, a world without spice is unthinkable- but many prefer simple- good ol' salt and pepper. Few know, however, that spice is actually a chemical weapon used by plants to protect them from being eaten. It works well at times, if you can imagine an ant taking a bite of fresh ginger or a peppercorn, but luckily humans have learned how to use them to enhance the flavour of food. The unique compounds found in spices creates a chain reaction of our taste buds and olfactory receptors is so complex that our brains don't know how to process them all at once.

So the big question is- what do they do to the body?

The most beneficial thing about spice is that they contain antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances found naturally in food. They protect your body's cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Herbs and spices with the highest antioxidant levels include cloves, oregano, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, basil, mustard, cumin, paprika (sweet chilli powder), and hot chilli powder. Regular use of spices and other antioxidants in your food can reduce inflammation, kill cancer cells, and can even help prevent obesity and heart disease. Spices can also help you reduce the salt you use in foods while cooking, due to their flavour boosting potential.

If you are interested in learning how to cook with spices, check out this handy guide of dietitians.ca

http://www.dietitians.ca/Your-Health/Nutrition-A-Z/Cooking/Make-your-Tastebuds-Tingle.aspx

Happy cooking!