Holiday spices, flavours can be good for health too – Observer
Holiday spices such as cinnamon, peppermint and cranberries appear throughout the aisles of Peter’s Cornucopia in New Hartford.
Spices are used, of course, as flavourings in some of the foods for sale, but they also factor heavily in the aisles of the natural food store that carry health supplements, healing teas and other health-related products.
That’s because, while often full of unhealthy fat, sugar and salt, traditional holiday treats such as gingerbreads, fruitcakes and candy canes also feature spices that have been used for centuries by people looking to care for their health naturally.
When spices are added to healthy foods, taken as supplements, brewed into teas or used as essential oils, these products are believed by many to help people stay healthy, or feel better when they’re sick.
At Peter’s Cornucopia, some of the most popular products contain the spices cinnamon, peppermint or ginger, said employee Char Faga. The store’s customers most frequently use cinnamon to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, she said. Peppermint is supposed to help the stomach, digestion, colds and headaches.
And customers use certain spices, for example ginger for nausea – including from motion sickness and morning sickness – intestinal problems, arthritis pain and headaches, Faga said.
“Ginger is, like, wicked useful,” she added.
Cranberry supplements also are popular for treating urinary tract infections and yeast infections, Faga said.
Science has yet to catch up with users’ faith in these herbs and spices and other natural products, though: There simply haven’t been enough studies to prove or disprove their value.
And when taken in large quantities or mixed incorrectly with medications or other supplements, they can make existing health conditions worse. So always ask your doctor before taking them.
Here’s a rundown on the healthy side of seasonal spices and flavors and what science has to say about them:
CINNAMON
Used for: Diabetes, cholesterol, loss of appetite, muscle and stomach spasms, bloating, gas, vomiting, diarrhea, colds, impotence, bed wetting, menstrual problems, chest pain, high blood pressure, kidney problems or cancer.
Science says: There’s conflicting evidence on whether it helps diabetes, and not enough evidence to draw a conclusion on other uses.
Nutrition: Excellent source of manganese and a very good source of fiber and calcium.
CLOVES
Used for: Toothache, vomiting, upset stomach, nausea, gas, diarrhea, hernia, pain and swelling, and cough.
Science says: There’s evidence suggesting cloves help prevent premature ejaculation when combined with other natural ingredients in a topical cream.
Nutrition: Excellent source of manganese, a very good source of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and omega 3 fatty acids, and a good source of magnesium and calcium.
CRANBERRIES
Used for: Urinary tract infections, wounds, diarrhea, diabetes, stomach ailments, liver problems, cancer.
Science says: Studies have found cranberries useful for preventing urinary tract infections (but not treating them). There’s some evidence it helps reduce the amount of plaque on teeth. Studies suggest it is not helpful in treating Type 2 diabetes.
Nutrition: Excellent source of vitamin C, a very good source of fiber and a good source of manganese and vitamin K.
GINGER
Used for: Nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness, chemotherapy nausea, post-surgery nausea, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and joint and muscle pain.
Science says: Evidence suggests that ginger is effective for treating morning sickness, post-surgery nausea and dizziness. Mixed evidence on whether it helps motion sickness.
Nutrition: Good source of potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, vitamin B6
NUTS
Used for: Lowering cholesterol, preventing arrhythmias, preventing plaque in the arteries.
Science says: Studies suggest eating nuts does support heart health.
Nutrition: Many nuts contain omega 3 fatty acids, fiber and vitamin E and plant sterols. The downside is they’re high in calories.
PEPPERMINT OIL
Used for: Nausea, indigestion, cold symptoms, headaches, muscle and nerve pain, stomach and bowel problems including irritable bowel syndrome.
Science says: The FDA banned the sale of peppermint oil as an over-the-counter drug used as a digestive aid in 1990 due to lack of proof of its effectiveness. But the ban does not apply to supplements.
Studies suggest it can be helpful for irritable bowel syndrome when taken orally or tension headaches when applied topically. Some evidence suggests it could help with indigestion when paired with caraway oil. It has not been found to help with post-surgery nausea.
Nutrition: Not a good source of any nutrients.
Sources: Medline Plus, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, World’s Healthiest Foods website, Mayo Clinic, WebMD
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