The 4 Effective Spices That Fight Inflammation Almost Instantly

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You learn something new every day. That’s especially true if you keep an eye on food and health research because we’re quickly finding new, promising results. One of those results, I want to share with you today.

The main topic of today is spices. Turns out, they don’t only add flavor to your carefully prepared meal. Instead, they seem to have promising health benefits, especially when fighting inflammation (even better, study results show positive effects within 1 hour of eating the spices). Disclaimer: do recognize they fight inflammation quickly, they don’t solve chronic inflammation immediately.

I’m sure we’ve all heard of this before, but do you know which spices are best? and how much of them you should consume? Let’s find out!

Why Inflammation?

Inflammation is how our body reacts to injuries and infections. However, when inflammation lasts too long, it can cause diseases. These include cancer, heart problems, and autoimmune disorders. Recently, scientists have been looking at natural substances. They are especially interested in spices. They want to see if they can help reduce inflammation.

Researchers from the University of Florida in Gainesville and Penn State did a study. They explored how well different spices can reduce inflammation (source). They found some promising results.

What Did The Study Measure?

This study was unique and practical. The researchers wanted to see if the body can absorb compounds from spices. They also wanted to see if these compounds can reduce inflammation. Previous studies showed that herbs and spices have a lot of antioxidants in test tubes. But, this study focused on how these compounds work in the human body.

To get accurate results, the researchers designed a clever experiment. They tested if the compounds from spices could protect white blood cells from damage. They also looked at if they could prevent DNA damage from free radicals.

The Experiment

In the experiment, different groups of people ate various spices for a week. Blood was taken from the people before and one hour after consumption of the spices.

The amounts were similar to what people normally eat. For example, the group eating oregano consumed half a teaspoon daily. This amount is typical for meals. In the image below you can see the exact quantities (g/d stands for gram per day).

After a week, blood samples were taken from each group. The researchers then used the plasma to see how it affected white blood cells. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood. They did this in a petri dish. They exposed the white blood cells to oxidized cholesterol. This mimics the effects of eating foods like fried chicken.

The main measure was the production of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). TNF causes inflammation. It is linked to diseases like arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. The researchers compared TNF levels in the blood of people who ate spices with those who didn’t. This let the researchers see the spices’ anti-inflammatory effects.

What You Really Want To Know

The results were surprising. Among the spices tested, cloves, ginger, rosemary, and turmeric significantly reduced inflammation. These effects were due to the compounds absorbed into the bloodstream after eating the spices, not just the spices themselves. Keep in mind that their blood was taken 1 hour after consumption, showing these spices have an almost instant effect on inflammation.

This finding is important. It shows that eating these spices in normal amounts can reduce body inflammation. You don’t need to take large doses or supplements. Just enjoy these spices in your everyday meals. Use them in foods like spaghetti sauces, pumpkin pies, and curries.

The Power Of Curcumin

Turmeric, especially its active component curcumin, was particularly effective. Curcumin has medicinal properties. This study supports its potential as a natural anti-inflammatory. TNF blockers are used to treat conditions like arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. They are expensive and have serious side effects. Turmeric, on the other hand, is affordable and safe, making it a great alternative.

So, What Now?

These findings are important for both individuals and healthcare systems. Healthcare costs are rising. People are concerned about the side effects of medications. Using anti-inflammatory spices in our diet offers a promising alternative.

This means individuals can add cloves, ginger, rosemary, and turmeric to meals. Doing this could reduce inflammation. It could also improve health. Simple changes can make a big difference. For example, add turmeric to a smoothie. Sprinkle ginger on vegetables. Or, use rosemary in roasted dishes.

This could help cut the burden of chronic diseases. It could also cut reliance on expensive drugs. So, healthcare providers and policymakers should promote the use of these spices. This fits a broader trend towards preventive health and natural remedies. It emphasizes diet and lifestyle changes. They are key to managing disease and promoting health.