The Fantastic Health Benefits of Fall Spices — Compass Rose Nutrition & Wellness
Fall is officially here and once again my kitchen has that warm inviting smell of spices. Beside these spices being so comforting, some of our favorite fall spices also have fantastic health benefits. Make sure to include these spices in your fall dishes for some brilliant flavors and extra health kicks.
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the healthiest spices on the planet. It contains an active compound known as curcumin, whose long list of proven health advantages includes fighting off unhealthy cells and slowing down the signs of aging. Curcumin is beneficial in reducing inflammation and alleviating symptoms of inflammatory diseases. As a bonus, turmeric also adds a beautiful golden color to your dishes. Whenever you use turmeric, make sure to add some black pepper as it significantly improves the body’s absorption of curcumin.
Cinnamon
This famous fall spice contains a vast number of various antioxidants. Antioxidants are key for fighting off those damaging free radicals that can cause chronic diseases.
Cinnamon is a beneficial spice for people with insulin issues. Studies have shown that cinnamon helps control blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity. Insulin is the principal hormone involved in blood sugar regulation.
Nutmeg
What would our staple fall dishes, like apple and pumpkin pie or eggnog, be without nutmeg? This powerful spice also contains many important nutrients. It’s rich with manganese, copper, and magnesium, but it also contains many other essential vitamins and minerals. Some studies have shown that nutmeg can relieve pain, such as the joint pain experienced by people with arthritis. It’s often used as a natural relief for insomnia because it helps you fall asleep easier and get good-quality, uninterrupted sleep.
Ginger
Ginger is well-known for its digestive health benefits but also has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial characteristics that can help your body fight against infections while also controlling inflammation.
Ginger is popularly used for treating nausea and other digestive issues, such as an upset stomach and acid reflux. Adding ginger to your meals or making a ginger tea after a big fall feast can help your digestive system process all that food with ease. If you’re experiencing morning sickness or nausea for any other reason, ginger will ease some of these systems.
Clove
Cloves high a high level of antioxidants, which help the body fight off disease-causing free radicals. They are also well-known for their health benefits for the liver. One of the main functions of the liver is to break down unwanted or old molecules and prepare them for elimination. However, sometimes in the process of breaking down unwanted molecules, damaging free radicals are produced as a by-product. These free radicals can build up in the liver and undermine its function. Cloves and other antioxidant-rich foods can help clear away these free radicals from the liver and keep you healthy.
Now that you have the list of benefits of our delicious Fall spices, let’s make some comforting Fall drinks that will spice up your day!
Healthy Fall Drinks Ideas
Lemon Turmeric Water
Lemon and turmeric are the super ingredients in the health world. Combine them in hot water, with red chili powder to help give your metabolism a boost. It’s super tasty and a healthy drink to enjoy all autumn long. You can even try it with a pinch of both coarse sea salt and raw honey, the flavor is splendid and unique.
Apple Cinnamon Cider
A simple warm glass of apple cider with a real cinnamon stick is something you can enjoy often. Try to avoid any brands that add heaps of sugar. Stick to natural stuff, and you’ll get plenty of vitamin C and pectin.
Ginger Tea
Create your ginger tea by slicing fresh ginger root thinly and adding them to boiling water. Strain out the ginger, and you’ve got the perfect ginger tea that helps digestion, encourages bone health, and even can relieve coughing. While it’s delicious as it is, if you need sweetness, add in some raw organic honey, which has plenty of benefits of its own.
A Healthier Pumpkin Spice Coffee
At home, you can make it in a flash. Simply brew your favorite coffee with pumpkin pie spice added to your coffee grounds. Then, add nonfat almond milk to get that creamy and rich feeling. Top this with some ground nutmeg and you have a deliciously healthy version.
To make your own pumpkin spice, add the following ingredients to an airtight container:
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
Personally my favorite warm drink in fall is my Ginger and Turmeric Tea Recipe …what’s yours?
For more Fall related recipes, head over to my Nutrition and Resource Library. Sign up and get FREE access to these recipes and more.
Originally published at https://www.compassrosenutrition.ca on September 22, 2020.