Do you ever want to increase your antioxidants but maybe aren’t ready for eating a ton of kale & broccoli?
Herbs and spices are a nice easy option to increase antioxidants and even improve the taste of your meals! You probably already have some in your pantry already.
- Cocoa or Raw Cacao – Cocoa (especially raw cacao) is rich in antioxidants and minerals like copper & magnesium. If you are able to- opt for raw cacao over cocoa so that you can maximize your benefits with this powerful food. Raw cacao or cocoa is one of my favorites because it’s super easy to integrate and is super enjoyable to add to your regimen. I love having a hot cocoa (2 tsp raw cacao + hot water/soy milk) or our chocolate tahini muffins
- Fresh Herbs (Cilantro, Oregano, Basil, Mint, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme) – Fresh herbs are typically a really well tolerated way to level up your antioxidant support and cooking game. Cilantro and Parsley especially are very supportive of our livers process in eliminating things our bodies don’t need. Cilantro is the sprout from the coriander seed which has a long history of use in digestive disorders, for which it is used as a carminative (relieves gas) and antispasmodic (pain/cramping relief). I love making cilantro lime rice on a regular basis as a way to bring in some fresh herbs that are also super tasty!
prevent griping, flatulence, dyspepsia, and constipation - Ginger – Ginger is rich in antioxidant supportive phytochemicals and volatile oils like gingerols, shogaols & terpenes. Ginger is super helpful as a bitter to help with gastric motility, gas, and promote better fat absorption. It is also an anti-inflammatory herb and can help with nausea. You can easily mix ginger into dressings, sauté in a stir fry, add in baking or steep into a tea.
- Spices (Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Cayenne, Clove, Nutmeg) – Spices are super easy to add in with baking and soups. Sweet herbs like cardamon or cinnamon go great in oatmeal or sprinkled on to fruits. My personal favorite is cardamom in a mango smoothie. I often use cardamom to help with nausea for people also.
- Turmeric – Turmeric is rich in a variety of compounds that are well researched. Remember turmeric is quite different than Curcumin in terms of absorption. Turmeric doesn’t absorb as well as Curcumin in supplements, however this isn’t a bad thing either. Turmeric can be helpful for helping to support the microbiome- because it is poorly absorbed it is able to become consumed by gut bacteria in the gut. I love using turmeric in turmeric tea, in smoothies, dressings and soups.