Herbs and Spices Help Fight Diabetes and Aging
Time to kit out your spice rack! Research say spices are loaded with antioxidant-rich compounds known as phenols that can help prevent the formation of compounds that contribute to damage caused by diabetes and aging.
Hargrove explained that when blood sugar levels are high, a process known as protein glycation occurs in which the sugar bonds with proteins to eventually form what are known as advanced glycation end products, also known as AGE compounds. The acronym is fitting because these compounds activate the immune system, resulting in the inflammation and tissue damage associated with aging and diabetes.
The researchers found a strong and direct correlation between the phenol content of common herbs and spices and their ability to inhibit the formation of AGE compounds. Spices such as cloves and cinnamon had phenol levels that were 30 percent and 18 percent of dry weight, respectively, while herbs such as oregano and sage were eight and six percent phenol by dry weight, respectively. For comparison, blueberries – which are widely touted for their antioxidant capabilities – contain roughly five percent phenol by dry weight.
In one sitting I can easily eat about a hundred grams of blueberries, but I don’t think I use more than a gram of spices and herbs in any one dish. However, I do use herbs and spices quite regularly, especially oregnao, basil, thyme, and rosemary. Any ideas for sage-recipes?
Tags: aging, diet, functional-foods, health, health benefits of herbs, health food blog, health-food, Healthy Eating, healthy-diet, healthy-food, herbs, nutraceuticals, spices, ~DiabetesRelated Stories
POSTED IN: ~Diabetes, ~Healthy Aging, ~Spices, Herbs and Condiments
2 opinions for Herbs and Spices Help Fight Diabetes and Aging
Lauren
Sep 1, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Hi Ruth: Thanks for posting all the great information on spices and featuring our SpiceStack spice organizer (photo) along with it! Our customers love the SpiceStack because it helps them get their own store-bought spices organized in less space in the kitchen cabinet. Its amazing how much more you use spices when you know what you own and where to find them! Spices ARE a fantastic way to cut down on sodium and fat without losing great flavor in your home cooked meals. We hope that the SpiceStack has inspired many cooks to keep using their spices and follow healthy eating habits at home.
Best - Lauren Greenwood, President, SpiceStack Inc.
Tom
Sep 2, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I love oregano, but I can’t imagine that I eat anywhere close to that many herb and spices. I think that reading this provides some incentive to try different recipes that use some of these spices.
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