Table of contents:
Indonesia is known as a country rich in spices. It is known that the production of spices in Indonesia in 2013 reached around 310 tons consisting of cloves, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Not only is it useful for adding flavor to food, it turns out that the use of spices in food or drinks has a good impact on health. What are the benefits?
1. Cinnamon (cinnamon)
Cinnamon is a spice that is very often used to add flavor to various dishes and drinks. Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde which is used for medical purposes as an anti-bacterial or anti-fungal drug. In addition, cinnamon also contains antioxidants which can help treat inflammation in the body and reduce levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. From studies looking at the relationship between cinnamon consumption and heart health, it is known that consuming cinnamon at least 120 mg per day can increase levels of good cholesterol in the blood.
A study states that cinnamon is good for diabetics because it can reduce blood sugar levels. The study proved that diabetics who consumed cinnamon experienced a decrease in fasting blood sugar by 10 to 29 percent. A good size of cinnamon to consume a day is as much as half to two tablespoons or about 1 to 6 grams. Cinnamon can be a flavor enhancer in the food and drinks you consume.
2. Turmeric
Turmeric is a type of rhizome plant with a distinctive yellow color. Because of this dense yellow color, turmeric is often used as a colorant for various foods. Turmeric also has antioxidant properties that can protect the body from the effects of free radicals and reduce the risk of developing cancer. In addition, turmeric also contains anti-inflammatory substances, which are substances that reduce histamine levels and increase natural cortisone in the body. This can help the body deal with inflammation and infection in the body.
This yellow rhizome can also maintain liver health, consuming turmeric can help metabolize fat and increase the excretion of bilirubin by the bile glands. This is good for preventing gallstones and can help treat gallstone sufferers. Turmeric has a good impact on heart health, a study conducted on rabbits with atherosclerosis showed that consumption of turmeric in these rabbits can lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
3. Ginger
Ginger is often used as an alternative medicine to treat various ailments. Many studies have shown that ginger is good for treating symptoms of nausea, including symptoms of nausea that appear in pregnant women, cancer sufferers who are undergoing chemotherapy, and seasickness. Ginger is also useful as an anti-inflammatory and can reduce pain that appears in the body. A study has shown that ginger has the same role as aspirin when there is inflammation in the body. Even in other studies it is stated that combining ginger, cinnamon, and sesame oil is useful for reducing pain and muscle tension, just as aspirin or ibuprofen are used to reduce pain.
4. Cloves
Cloves are dried flower stalks that come from the tree family Myrtaceae . Many say that cloves have various health benefits, but indeed there is little research on the benefits of cloves for health. Some say that cloves are useful for treating toothaches and gums, and even mouth sores. Based on research reported in the Journal of Dentistry, shows that cloves can be a substitute for painkillers, such as benzocaine. In addition, the Journal of Medical Microbiology states that cloves can inhibit fungal growth. In fact, several other studies say cloves can prevent premature ejaculation in men.
5. Nutmeg
Nutmeg, which is often used as an additional spice in cooking, is found to be useful for reducing pain or aches in the body, as an anti-inflammatory agent, and helps cure arthritis. In addition, nutmeg is also useful to help stimulate peristaltic movements in the intestines and trigger the release of stomach acid which can help the digestive process run faster. In nutmeg, there is a content myristicin and maceligan which is thought to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's and slow the decline in memory. If you are not confident about bad breath, then consuming nutmeg can be one solution. Eating foods that contain nutmeg is considered to prevent bad breath because it contains anti-bacterial substances. Therefore, nutmeg is also sometimes used to mix toothpaste and mouthwash.
The use of spices in food and beverages can also prevent hypertension and control body weight. By adding lots of spices in food, the taste of these foods will be richer, so you don't need to use too much salt, which can lead to hypertension and heart disease. Foods that are rich in taste will also tend to cause a sense of satisfaction compared to tastes that are not too diverse, this also affects one's appetite.
