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List of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Spices

Most people are familiar with spices for culinary uses and the distinctive and often strong flavorings they give to a wide variety of dishes. But not many people are aware of the many health benefits of using spices. It has long been known in scientific circles that spices possessed various antioxidant and antibacterial qualities for warding off disease or alleviating certain health conditions but more recently it has emerged that many of these benefits may be even more significant than originally thought.

List of Healthy Spices

Below is a list of the best antioxidant and antibacterial spices.

List of Antioxidant Spices

Spices have actually been used in traditional medicines and folk cures for centuries for conditions ranging from coughs and colds to chronic diseases such as arthritis. It has also been widely accepted that many spices have antibacterial properties.

However, more recent findings strongly indicate that the levels of anti-oxidants present in spices is significantly higher than previously thought and in many cases is actually higher than in equivalent portions of fruit and vegetables. As a result, many official government bodies are adding spices to their lists of accepted nutrient rich and health benefit foods.

Anti-oxidants are substances that retard deterioration by oxidation. Put in simple terms they help to protect our body in many essential ways from harmful effects of the environment, the food we eat and the water we drink by breaking a chain reaction which leads to damaged cells.

Antioxidants are thought to play a significant role in preventing heart disease and inhibiting the growth of certain cancers.

The healthy spices considered the most potent for their antioxidant content are:

1. Allspice
2. Chilli
3. Cinnamon
4. Cloves
5. Cumin
6. Curry mixes
7. Garlic
8. Mustard
9. Paprika
10. Turmeric

Other spices not listed here also contain varying antioxidant levels.

List of Antibacterial Spices

Again, most healthy spices contain some ability to fight bacteria but there are varying levels. The spices known to have the most powerful antibacterial properties are:

1. Allspice
2. Black pepper
3. Cayenne
4. Cinnamon
5. Cloves
6. Garlic
7. Mustard – this spice was once used as a disinfectant in medical establishments due to its antimicrobial properties.

Other Health Benefits of Spices

The many health benefits are far too numerous to mention here. However, here are a few more spices and their properties.

Cardamom – helps with trapped wind and bloating and has been used for asthma relief

Cayenne – soothes sore throats and can use cold and flu symptoms

Chilli – helps to clear airways, boost immunity and inhibit mucous secretion. Has also been used in pain relief

Cinnamon – anti-inflammatory, can combat nausea, cinnamon can also help in weight loss.

Cloves – a powerful natural antihistamine

Garlic – it is thought that garlic may also have antiviral as well as antibacterial properties

Nutmeg – can help with digestion, induces relaxation, indicative for relieving menstrual problems

For once, the scientific communities, dietitians, nutritionists and medical professionals are all in agreement on the many health benefits of including spices in the diet. Although there isn’t conclusive evidence for all the benefits listed here, there is certainly enough to make spices one of the few foods extolled for its virtues without any controversy attached.

If you are unsure how to use various healthy spices in your cooking there are many resources available. Libraries and book stores stock books with titles such as cooking with spices and as always the Internet abounds with recipe ideas and advice.

This article on the list of healthy spices that contain antioxidant and antibacterial properties has been written by expert author ‘Deneice Arthurton’.