There are three key spices that Brits can add to our diets to lower our risk of joint pain in later life, experts have claimed.
Spices are often an afterthought in many British kitchens, but it is vital not to overlook the health benefits adding spice to your meals may have. Kim Larson, a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, says there is an unsung positive to having anti-inflammatory ingredients in your diet.
She went on: “I think people are often surprised at what a great anti-inflammatory source spices can be. But the more anti-inflammatory foods and spices you eat, the more you are tamping down on chronic inflammation.” With a condition such as arthritis, joints can become become inflamed and some spices block certain inflammatory pathways in the body. But a dash of cinnamon can pack punch when added to food throughout the day.
Beth McDonald, a nutritionist at The Center for Health and Healing in the Department of Integrative Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital in New York City said: "If you do a sprinkle of cinnamon in oatmeal or a smoothie, have some ginger tea mid-morning and something with pepper and garlic for lunch and dinner, it can certainly have an additive effect.
Garlic
Garlic contains an anti-inflammatory compound and can help fight inflammation and help prevent cartilage damage from arthritis. Use fresh garlic as additions can be made in processing, which can reduce its strength.
Turmeric
A chemical in turmeric root blocks inflammatory pathways. And trials have shown an anti-inflammatory benefit which can reduce joint pain and swelling. It is hugely popular in curries and other Indian dishes, but it is best eaten with black pepper as the body is able to absorb it better.
Ginger
Ginger blocks inflammation pathways in the body but some studies have shown it can also reduce osteoarthritis symptoms It is a versatile spice but is best to use it fresh form. Ginger can be added to the diet into pot of tea.
The Mirror told earlier how regular consumption of the spice - more than four times a week - is associated with a reduction of death risk for cardiac and cerebrovascular causes.
Many people think this is an old wives tale, but a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, people who often eat chilli peppers have a mortality risk for every cause reduced by 23%, compared to those who do not.
The research examined 22,811 citizens of Molise region, in Italy, participating in the Moli-sani study. Over a follow-up period of an average of about eight years, scientists found that in people eating the sweat-inducing fruit, the risk of dying of a heart attack was reduced by 40%.