Cayenne Pepper

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If you love spicy food you’ll be pleased to know that cayenne pepper is one beneficial spice. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which aids weight loss by enhancing fat burning and reducing appetite. It also has strong cleansing properties and helps soothe the digestive system.

How to Use It:  add half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper (or a whole one if you dare) to your dinner each night. You won’t notice the difference in taste too much, but your body will certainly feel a change.

Tumeric

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This yellow spice has a ton of amazing qualities. Tumeric contains the compound curcumin, which is a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Turmeric aids in the treatment of arthritis, calms the digestive system and can improve brain function. On top of all that, it has an anti-cancer component.

How to Use It:  I have a glass of warm water with one teaspoon of tumeric and a squeezed lemon every morning. It’s quick to make, doesn’t taste terrible and is packed full of goodness!

Cinnamon

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Cinnamon contains antioxidant and antiseptic properties that cleanse the body of harmful bacteria. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties and has been proven to aid cholesterol and reduce risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. If that’s not enough, cinnamon boosts the metabolism and regulates blood sugar levels, aiding in weight loss.

How to Use It:  Eating just half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily can have enormous health benefits. Add it to your morning muesli, hot chocolate or smoothie. It’s also a delicious addition to muffins and cakes. Yum!

Cumin

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Cumin seeds are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. They aid digestion and provide vital minerals including phosphorus, thiamine and potassium. Cumin also improves bone strength and eyesight, and lowers blood pressure. It helps manage the heart rate and has anti-cancer properties. Even better, it reduces appetite and boosts the metabolism, increasing weight loss.

How to Use It:  add a teaspoon of cumin to hotpots like soup or stew. Sprinkle it over nachos, burritos and potato and mix it into hummus as a healthy snack.

Ginger

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Ginger is a delicious spice which can easily be added to your diet. Like many of our other ‘super spices’, ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used as a treatment for nausea and as a natural form of pain relief.

How to Use It:  I love adding ginger to smoothies and juices. Combine a teaspoon with beetroot, banana and sunflower seeds for a scrumptious mid-morning drink.

Cardamom

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Cardamom has many health benefits, from decreasing blood pressure to boosting the metabolism. It contains many essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium and niacin. It also has helps digestion and increases circulation.

How to Use It:  cardamom has a more mild flavour than other spices, so is great for adding to smoothies, biscuits, muesli and porridge along with cinnamon.