Mince pies, Christmas cake, mulled wine… It’s the season of indulgence and for using loads of spices, which give the holidays their iconic and memorable smell. But did you know that many of the spices we use at this time of year can actually benefit our health?
Here’s how.
Cinnamon: As the most common spice used during the holidays, cinnamon is used to add sweetness to many of Christmas’s signature desserts. More importantly, however, cinnamon essential oils actually help balance blood sugar levels, which help keep sugar cravings at bay. In other words, the more cinnamon you eat, the less sugar you’ll want!
Ginger: It’s an obvious one, especially since many of us add a slice of it to hot water when we’re cold. Ginger, however, is also good for aiding digestion, which is perfect considering how much many of us overindulge at this time of year. It also boosts blood flow and the metabolism, so it really is a super-spice!
Cardamom: This is one of those spices that unless you like cooking Indian food at home, you probably won’t use at any other time of year. Nevertheless, cardamom actually helps with bloating, and boosts both the digestive and metabolic processes. But that’s not all, it also helps decongest blocked noses!
So, come one, come all, and add those spices to your food this Christmas…. It’s all in the name of health!