Much has been written recently about the role of certain foods in helping arthritis. One interesting take on this is the role of spicy foods in helping arthritis.
Regardless of whether you’re a gourmet chef or not, if you enjoy good food, then you know one of the appealing aspects of ethnic cuisine is the spices.
A number of studies have documented the role of various spices in blocking inflammation. The one drawback to studies of this kind is that generally the amount of spice used or studied is many times the amount one would use for an average meal.
Nonetheless, the evidence is compelling.
Garlic is probably the best known and most used of the “exotic” spices. It is available fresh in the produce section of supermarkets or it is available already chopped or minced in a jar. Garlic can be used for just about any dish. It is great in marinades, in pasta dishes, in stews, and in stir-fries. Garlic has been shown to lower cholesterol. It has anti-oxidant properties and helps reduce inflammation.
Ginger root is available fresh in the produce section and also in jars minced. Ginger can be used for stirfries, causes, marinades, or stews. It stores best when refrigerated. Ginger has been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory effects. It appears to inhibit both COX-2 as well as TNF-alpha, both of which are potent inducers of inflammation.
Curcumin (also known as cumin or turmeric) is a common ingredient found in South Asian cooking. It is one of major ingredients in curry powder. Curcumin can be used for stews, curries, soup, and stews. It can be found as a powder in most supermarket spice shelves. Curcumin has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It is used as a digestive aid in India.
Cayenne pepper is used in many cultures to spice up dishes. It is probably most widely used for Asian and Hispanic cooking. Cayenne pepper can be used for almost any type of dish including stews, salads, soups, vegetables, meat dishes, and even pastas and pizza. The active ingredient is capsaicin. Capsaicin has been used for topical arthritis remedies. It has been shown to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Capsaicin has, like ginger, been found to block the effects of TNF-alpha.
So… regardless of whether you take a prescription medicine for your arthritis or not, you should be aware of the potential benefits that come from eating spicy foods. Enjoy!!!
