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7 Spices for Healthy Digestion

Grace

Sep 29, 2019

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We’ve all been warned to stay far away from spicy foods if we want to avoid heartburn, upset stomachs, and other less-than-enjoyable tummy troubles. But, don’t let “spicy” foods confuse you with actual spices. Certain spices are wonderful for healthy digestion and to ease irregularity in the gut. Click through to learn more about the spices that will add a punch of flavor to your cooking and kick healthy digestion up a notch.

A large piece of ginger with a sliced lime on the side

Image by The Creative Exchange / Unsplash

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1. Ginger

A triple threat, ginger stimulates the production of gastric juices and digestive enzymes that help break down food. This not only speeds up metabolism, but can also ease bloating and stomach cramps. Ginger is also used to reduce gas and relieve irritation in the GI tract.

Image by Hilary Hahn / Unsplash

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2. Turmeric

Due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compounds, turmeric aids in digestion while soothing your digestive track. It’s been found to relieve heartburn, stomach pain and bloating, flatulence, and more.

Image by Angelina Todorovic Stanic / Flickr

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3. Cumin

Cumin increases the release of bile from the liver, helping to digest fats and nutrients in the gut. Not to mention, it may also increase the activity of digestive enzymes, potentially speeding up digestion.

coriander seeds flowing from a tipped over glass container

Image by Max Allen / Pixabay

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4. Coriander

Coriander seeds are packed with carminative properties, which means they’re antispasmodic and can calm intestinal spasms that lead to not-too-pleasant trips to the bathroom. Coriander has also been used to settle indigestion and to ease gas.

Image by Mousum De / Unsplash

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5. Cardamom

Cardamom is a member of the ginger family, making it a no-brainer that it’s helpful for digestion. Also packing carminative properties, cardamom has been used to slow the rate of stomach muscle cramping and ease gas, nausea, and indigestion. It helps to kill off any food-borne bacteria in the digestive tract, helping to protect against food poisoning and gastric distress.

Mediterranean green herb known as Fenugreek

Image by Leslie Seaton / Flickr

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6. Fenugreek

Fenugreek is an herb similar to clover that is native to the Mediterranean region, southern Europe, and western Asia. A natural digestive, fenugreek helps to flush toxins out of the body and ease inflammation of the stomach, or gastritis.

Image by Alexander Ow / Unsplash

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7. Cinnamon Bark

Cinnamon bark contains higher levels of cinnamaldehyde than cinnamon leaf, making it the spice of choice to increase antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Cinnamon bark aids in sluggish digestion and can help fight off the bad bacteria lingering in your gut. Likewise, it can also be used in lieu of sugar to sweeten up your food, since sugar can negatively impact digestion.

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Dr. Rebecca Hill

Expert Reviewer

“The consensus is that ginger is superior to placebo when treating vomiting and nausea. Ginger is also safe for pregnant women and those undergoing chemotherapy. While turmeric is delicious in curry and other dishes, there’s no evidence that it is an effective treatment for heartburn, stomach pain, bloating, or flatulence. In animal studies, cumin and coriander have been found to have antioxidant properties, these findings have not been validated in humans. There’s a lot of claims out there when it comes to cardamom, fenugreek, and cinnamon bark use in humans, however, these claims -including those outlined in this slide show- are not scientifically backed.”

Grace

GR8NESS Writer

Grace is a self-proclaimed plant aficionado and self care advocate. At any given time, you can catch her penning new pieces about the latest house plant hacks, home décor, trends in the beauty space, and self care tips that promote better sleeping and even better living. Catch her snapping pictures of her newest succulents or out on the trails in her new home of Colorado.

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