Think back on the best meal you’ve ever had. The aromas, the texture, the flavour, all held together by our favourite kind of ingredient—spices. Here at Galloway’sWholesome Foods®, we take the phrase ‘spice up your life’ very seriously. A meal isn’t the same without the rich flavours and aromas fresh spices can add to your dish. But it’s not all just for taste, spices can have some fantastic health benefits as well. We call them ‘super spices’, and they will not only pack your meals with flavour but also benefit your body. Here are the top five super spices we’re excited about right now.

1. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is most known for its blood-sugar-lowering properties. Because of this, it’s popular amongst those struggling with insulin resistance, including patients with diabetes. But that’s not all—cinnamon is also loaded with antioxidants, evening more than other super spices such as garlic and oregano. Cinnamon also has anti-inflammatory properties which can help your body repair tissue damage. And on top of all that? This warm, delicious spice is incredibly versatile and works well in both sweet and savoury dishes. So, whether you spice up that morning latte or your evening root vegetables, your body will thank you for it.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric is known for its vivid orange hue that can add a pop of colour to any curry or soup, but did you know it has also been used as a medicine for centuries? In India turmeric was used in many ways, such as an inhalant to alleviate congestion, or as a paste to treat skin conditions. Countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh also prepared turmeric in a variety of ways to treat coughs. Now turmeric is being hailed as a natural wonder capable of helping treat cancer and Alzheimer’s.

3. Cayenne

For those who really like to spice up their life, you’ll be happy to hear that this spicy pepper is hot in more ways than one. Originally from Central and South America, cayenne peppers have been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of health concerns. Most famously, cayenne is known to boost your metabolism. This means cayenne can help your body burn more calories per day than it would have without the spice. Cayenne is also known to reduce hunger, helping you stave off unhealthy binges between meals. And just in case that still isn’t enough to sway our most spice-wary readers, check out this list: cayenne may help lower blood pressure, prevent stomach infections, and relieve joint and muscle pain. Adding a little heat your dish never felt so good.

4. Ginger

Ginger is an extremely versatile spice that can be prepared fresh, dry, powered, as an oil, tea, or even juice. Originating from the southern parts of China, ginger has long been known for its digestive properties, mainly for its ability to help reduce nausea. This makes ginger an effective tool to help fight the flu and is said to be particularly effective against morning sickness. For newer found benefits, ginger is recently being investigated for its ability to lower blood sugar to fight against diabetes, as well as a method to reduce cholesterol

5. Cardamom

Originally found in Middle Eastern and Arabic foods, cardamom is steadily gaining popularity around the world, and we are all for it. Not only is cardamom a delicious addition to many recipes, it also has some incredible health benefits that are hard to pass up. As an oil, cardamom has been shown to have antibacterial properties that may be able to kill bacteria and fungi. Along these same lines, it only makes sense that people have also been using cardamom as a breath freshener. By helping fight oral bacteria that cause bad breath, cardamom is your new best friend for a fresh, and healthy smile. Finally, Cardamom may also help improve heart and liver health, so what have you got to lose!

If flavour wasn’t enough of a reason to spice up every meal, then the added health benefits are impossible to say no to. At Galloway we stock a variety of spices, including all five above, to pack your dishes with flavour from the healthiest seasonings. Check out our product page for more information.

We also have plenty of recipes to help you incorporate each spice into a healthy, and delicious meal. For something packed with spice, check out our vegetarian Indian food recipes. And while each of the spices listed above can be safe and healthy additions to your diet, make sure to talk to your doctor before introducing anything new into your health routine.

Questions for us? Don’t hesitate to reach out on our contact page, we love to hear from you!