Spice up your health

Toss these spices into your salad or sauce and get a whopping dose of disease-preventing antioxidants

Spices. Wars have been fought over them, great explorers have sailed in pursuit of them and gifting history was made by three wise men bearing them. Turns out that the ancients were on to something. Research is now showing that five spices we've long savoured just for their flavour are also nutritional power houses. Toss these over achievers into your salad or sauce and get a whopping dose of diseasepreventing antioxidants along with a flavourful punch.

• Cinnamon: This natural germ-fighter also helps lower blood sugar, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels -- onequarter teaspoon a day is a healthy goal. Sprinkle a little of the powder on freshly ground coffee beans when making your morning java, or try these irresistible cinnamon baked apples for a low-cal dessert.

• Thyme: It makes it into recipes for marinades, grilled poultry, and fish by virtue of its minty, lemony flavour; it makes it onto the RealAge list of healthy herbs by virtue of its anti-cancer potency. It's also long been used as an antiseptic -- yep, that could be thyme oil in your mouthwash. If you've got a fresh bunch, mince some into your vinaigrette. Yum.

• Cumin: Concealed in your humble chili powder is one of the world's most popular spices (it's a key ingredient in Indian curries, too) and another anti-cancer soldier. Go exotic and add cumin to rice, grain salads, and marinades or try this hearthealthy ultimate beef chili made with chunks of fattrimmed meat.

• Oregano: Thank our GIs for bringing oregano home from Italy after WWII. A food-world superpower, leaves of the herb boast 42 times more antioxidants than apples. Wow! Use oregano to add a delicate flavour to salad dressings, garlic bread, and omelets, as well as your favourite pastas.
    
• Turmeric: Called the
    "Queen of the Kitchen"
    by Indian cooks, turmeric (and its active ingredient, curcumin) has earned its crown. Studies show promise in fighting cystic fibrosis, colon cancer, arthritis, and even Alzheimers — is there anything this golden gal can't do? For an earthy flavour and yellow colouring, add a pinch of turmeric to rice, stew, or lentils.

ALL FOR SPICE: Apart from their savoury value, spices are a nutritional powerhouse

Casey Stengel  - "All right everyone, line up alphabetically according to your height."