Spices can radically change the taste of any dish. But, in addition to culinary benefits, they also have a more important advantage: when used correctly, spices can strengthen the immune system. How to use them? What do you need to know to get the maximum effect and not harm your health? Lyudmila Kamlenok, a hygienist from the Vitebsk Zonal Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology, helped the VV correspondent figure this out.

– The main advantage of spices, which was discovered only recently, is that they contain more antioxidants than any other product. It is these substances that are known to resist the destructive effects of free radicals and help us live longer and stay young. In particular, American scientists analyzed the antioxidant properties of about 300 foods and drinks. As a unit of measurement, they took the degree of neutralization of oxygen radicals. It turned out that spices contain even more antioxidants than berries, which were previously considered absolute champions in this sense.

– And which spices top the list of fighters against free radicals?

– Cinnamon and cloves shared first place. A teaspoon of these spices contains more antioxidants than half a glass of blueberries or cranberries. And dried oregano and turmeric turned out to be healthier than strawberries and pomegranate.

- Those are the times! It turns out that you don’t have to chase expensive fruits and berries, just eat a teaspoon of healthy spices - and you’re protected from the negative effects of radicals, viruses and other misfortunes?

– You don’t have to take everything so literally! Spicy teas and drinks, aromatic gingerbread, soups with all kinds of spices... We do everything we can to not only keep warm in the cold autumn and winter, but also improve our immunity and mood in the absence of constant sunlight. That's what spices are for. Therefore, it is important to know how they work, in what form and how much you need to use them.

– Then please start with the characteristics of the “main culprits” – cinnamon and cloves. What is their strength?

“In addition to the fact that they make food taste richer, replace salt, speed up metabolism, they are good for health. Cinnamon is rich in minerals - potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. Contains vitamins C, A, PP, group B. It also contains tannins, essential oils, and fiber. In addition to the fact that cinnamon increases overall tone and strengthens the immune system, the spice is actively used in medicine as an antiseptic, antimicrobial and antiparasitic agent. For both adults and children, cinnamon will help relieve colds and flu. Warm drinks with cinnamon will ease headaches, increase sweating, ease breathing, and help relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa. The overall tone of the body will noticeably increase, weakness will disappear. Cinnamon treats chronic cough and severe sore throat.

As for cloves, its composition is comparable to a complete multivitamin complex (beta-carotene, B vitamins, ascorbic acid, vitamins E, K, not counting macroelements - potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper , selenium, zinc). Adding cloves to food has a beneficial effect on the functioning of all organs of the digestive tract. And during cold exacerbations, they remember cloves due to its antiseptic and bactericidal properties.

– Let’s clarify: spices are spices, and medicines are medicines.

– Of course, spices do not replace treatment, but only enhance the healing effect, as well as help strengthen the immune system to resist viruses and bacteria.

– The more spices, the better?

- In no case! The immutable rule also applies here: do no harm. The quantity of spices consumed does not equal quality in terms of the effect they can have on a person. Spices are a strong thing in every sense. If you consume them in too large volumes - from 5 -

10 g or more - you can present your body with a very unpleasant surprise. For example, cloves have sedative properties and cause severe drowsiness. Cinnamon, nutmeg and sage can trigger cramps. Saffron and rosemary are strictly prohibited during pregnancy. It must be remembered that some spices are not compatible with medications. These include curry and aspirin - the properties of the first neutralize the effect of the second. One cannot help but recall red pepper, which is given such a fiery pungency by capsaicin. If this alkaloid gets into the eyes, damage to the retina can be severe. We should also not forget that spices and seasonings in most cases serve as a strong irritant that can awaken all sleeping “sores”. Those who have ulcers, gastritis, cystitis, bronchial asthma and allergic reactions need to, if not completely eliminate aromatic seasonings from their diet, then at least limit their use to the maximum.

– Recently, many ladies have been relying on turmeric, attributing to it incredible properties: it adds beauty, youth, and promotes weight loss. Is it so?

– This spice is considered a natural antibiotic, it is based on curcumin. Thanks to this component, turmeric strengthens the immune system, improves cognitive function and even helps you lose weight, it’s true. It’s not for nothing that health professionals love this spice so much: they use it to prepare vegan decaffeinated coffee and add it to smoothies and homemade face masks.

– We buy spices mainly imported. Nutmeg, saffron, cardamom, and ginger do not grow here. Often a mixture of certain spices is offered. What pitfalls await consumers here?

– In order to protect yourself from glutamates and other harmful substances that are unnecessary for the body, you should carefully read the composition of the mixture. It should contain only the names of components of plant origin and nothing more. There should be no salt in these seasonings either. And options under common names, such as “Mushroom seasoning,” do not contain anything at all except flavor enhancers. But such “joy” is of no use to our body.