Toggle High

Contrast On

Account Settings

Company

8 Anti-Inflammatory Spices for Good Health

Stephany

Sep 16, 2019

1232 Views

1 Min Read Time

1 Share

GR8NESS RATING

GR8

MEH

PASS

Inflammation is your body’s defense mechanism against injury and illness. Its purpose is to help the body heal and return it to normal functioning. However, when inflammation becomes chronic and painful, it is no longer healing for your body. When this happens, anti-inflammatory spices can be a delicious way to help reduce inflammation.

Turmeric powder overflowing off a wooden spoon

Image by Shutterstock

1 of

Turmeric

This brilliant yellow spice commonly found in Indian cuisine is having a moment. It has been used for centuries to treat infections, colds, wounds, and liver disease. The curcumin found in turmeric may help reduce inflammation in the body.

a small glass container of powdered ginger with fresh ginger root around it

Image by Shutterstock

2 of

Ginger

A zesty spice used throughout the world, ginger had been used in traditional medicine toe calm upset stomach, ease headaches, and heal infections. The anti-inflammatory properties of this delicious spice have been known for centuries.

a small dish of ground cinnamon with fresh cinnamon sticks

Image by Shutterstock

3 of

Cinnamon

A popular spice in baked goods, cinnamon is more than just a delightful way to liven up cookies and cakes. It has proven anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling.

Freshly ground Cayenne Pepper on a wooden spoon

Image by Shutterstock

4 of

Cayenne Pepper

Hot chili peppers like cayenne owe their heat and their anti-inflammatory properties to compounds called capsaicinoids. Also known as a digestive aid, adding a dash of cayenne to your next dish will not only spice it up but also improve your health.

Ground black pepper used for anti-inflammation

Image by Shutterstock

5 of

Black Pepper

Not everyone likes the heat of cayenne, and if that’s you, try adding a dash of black pepper instead. Cayenne’s milder cousin, often called “The “King of Spices” contains the compound peperine that may be effective during the early acute inflammatory process.

Image by Shutterstock

6 of

Clove

Cloves contain a compound that inhibits the enzyme that is responsible for causing an inflammatory response in the body.

glass jar of ground up rosemary with rosemary leaves on the side

Image by Shutterstock

7 of

Rosemary

Rosemary impacts the body’s production of superoxide dismutase, which is responsible for eliminating a free radical that is known to cause inflammation.

a bowl of unpeeled garlic gloves in a wooden bowl

Image by Shutterstock

8 of

Garlic

A tasty addition to almost any savory dish, garlic contains diallyl disulfide, an anti-inflammatory compound that reduces the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Use fresh garlic if you can. If the flavor is too much for you, mellow the flavor by roasting it.

View more Gr8 Foods Articles

GR8NESS RATING

GR8

MEH

PASS

Stephany

GR8NESS Writer

Stephany is a GR8NESS Contributing Editor who writes about pet care, CBD, stress, self care, meditation, time management, brain training, and natural remedies with a focus on the science behind it all. She has three dogs, three cats, walks half marathons, and practices yoga and powerlifting. You can often find her training her dogs or experimenting with new flavors in the kitchen.

Learn More

Expert Reviewed

Image by Maridav / Shutterstock

Gr8 Foods

Irish Moss: The Superfood of the Sea

The seaweed Chondrus crispus, a red algae otherwise known as Irish moss, is a little known superfood that grows along the Atlantic coast of North America and parts of Europe. What does this have to do with superfoods? And why is it so GR8? I myself had never heard of...

Anne

Expert Reviewed

Image by BEATA PAWLAK / Shutterstock

Gr8 Foods

Aquafaba: The Good, the Bad, and the Gassy

Aquafaba is a favorite for recipe-swaps in the vegan community. It can serve as a substitute for egg whites, making it the perfect replacement for any dish that calls for the ingredient. It's used in everything from meringues and marshmallow fluff to vegan cheese and ice cream. More and more...

Anne

Expert Reviewed

Image by Gabrielle Cepella / Unsplash

Gr8 Foods

Eating Chili Peppers for Heart Health

According to the American College of Cardiology, new research states that eating hot chili peppers regularly may help prevent heart attack and stroke. The study unveils eight years of research in Italy, during which 23,000 individuals consumed the spicy food two to four times a week. Those eating more chili...

Anne

Expert Reviewed

Image by eanstudio / Shutterstock

Gr8 Foods

If Science Helps Us: Are GMOs Good or Bad? [Poll]

GMOs have a bad reputation. Food labels proudly boast "Non-GMO" at the grocery store, and many consumers are willing to pay a little bit more for products labeled this way. In the past decade, the number of shoppers who refuse to buy items made with genetically modified ingredients has nearly...

Anne

The URL has been copied