SPICE UP YOUR LIFE

We have all heard the phrase “you are what you eat”, understandably so as it’s an old one. In fact it’s thought to have originated back in 1826 when Anthelme Brillat-Savarin wrote “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are.” Ultimately, what we consume has a significant impact on our bodies and the way in which they function. If we nourish them, our bodies have a better chance of performing optimally. The nutrients in the food that we eat help formulate the foundation of the function and structure of all the cells within our bodies, it’s what fuels us and also what helps us grow and heal. They are essential for sustaining our everyday lives and the actions that come from living. We also know though, is some foods are better for us than others; some are even thought to have ‘healing’ properties themselves.

Spices such as chillies and turmeric have long been thought to be amongst the group of foods with major health benefits. There are firm believers in their ability to boost the immune system and ward off the seasonal flu. Outside of the supposed health benefits, spices are a part of the vast majority of the foods we eat on a daily basis whether it’s a simple crack of salt or pepper on dinner, vanilla essence in our baking mixes or a more complex combination of cardamom, star anise and coriander seeds in a curry spice mix, we’ve become used to food with flavour. Besides these fabulous flavour benefits, what else do spices add to our lives?

Of course the spiciest of the spices – the chilli pepper is the most prominent ingredient in home healthcare fixes and diets. Celebrities have touted the benefits of chilli peppers including Beyoncé’s misinformed ‘cayenne pepper’ diet, and Hilary Clinton swore by her ‘chilli pepper a day’ while on the campaign trail. The true benefits of peppers is as hotly contested as the spice itself though with some studies indicating that the key ingredient in peppers, capsaicin, has been linked to living longer. According to a study done in China in 2015 “The major findings were that higher intake of spicy foods is related to a lower risk of mortality, particularly deaths due to cancer, heart disease, and respiratory diseases.” That being said, no amount of chilli pepper eating can undo what has already been done. It is also important to note though, that the consistent consumption of chillies also can have adverse effects too.

Turmeric is another household remedy staple that’s thought to help with inflammation and immune-support too amongst other health benefits. Unlike its spicy counterpart however, there isn’t quite as much robust research to back up the theory. Also, it’s always important to note that most things only work well when consumed as part of a balanced diet inclusive of exercise and sufficient sleep and hydration too. What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another and that’s okay too – whether you use spices to tickle your taste buds of to treat a tickle in your throat.