Spice up your chilly days – autumn tips for spices with epigenetic effects

While the cuisine of other countries spares no spices, the Czech cuisine uses them only in pinches. And this is a big mistake. Spices can not only enhance the taste of food, but also enhance its digestibility. And many types can even influence the activity of our genes and improve our health! So what to spice up your food (not only) in autumn?

Ginger

Few things warm you up on chilly days as perfectly as ginger. The rhizome of the ginger plant has been used as a spice since ancient times, and the oldest surviving record of its medicinal effects was written almost five thousand years ago. And its amazing powers have been confirmed by modern science.

Ginger has a significant positive effect on the digestive system: it helps to relieve nausea and diarrhoea, and it also helps to prevent ulcers and inflammation in the gut. It significantly supports immunity and also has a direct effect against many viruses, bacteria and yeasts. It is strongly anti-inflammatory, will help lower blood sugar levels, support mental performance and the liver’s ability to break down toxins. It has beneficial effects on the heart and blood vessels (for example, it effectively helps to lower blood pressure), and even anti-cancer effects.

However, the content of active substances in ginger varies considerably depending on the method of cooking. Fresh ginger, for example, is virtually free of one of the most potent substances called 6-shoagol, which is produced by heat or drying. Therefore, classic ginger tea is much less beneficial to our body than if we boil fresh ginger. Dietary supplements with 6-shoagol are a possible alternative.

Turmeric

The root of long turmeric contains the yellow dye curcumin, which is one of the most powerful epigenetically acting natural substances. It has strong anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects, supports immunity, helps with autoimmune diseases, increases mitochondrial activity, promotes longevity and athletic performance, reduces hair loss and prostate enlargement. It is also suitable for arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

However, the medicinal effects of curcumin are complicated by its limited absorption. This can be solved, for example, by combining it with black pepper, which is also commonly used in dietary supplements. The combination of turmeric and pepper is also typical of curry spices.

Rosemary officinalis

This traditional Mediterranean herb not only effectively supports digestion (it is particularly suitable in combination with meat), but also contains several substances with strong epigenetic effects. As a result, it also has wide-ranging positive effects on health.

For example, it is excellent for its effects on the brain, mental performance, concentration and memory, and is also suitable for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer, helps regulate blood pressure (high and low), kills viruses, bacteria and yeast, relieves allergies, supports liver and gallbladder function and is also good for tinnitus.

Saffron

The sight of its deep yellow colour can brighten the mood of many, but it is even better inside our body. In fact, crocus seed mucilage is probably the most effective natural remedy for depression – according to some studies, saffron is similarly effective for moderate depression as several different types of antidepressants, including the often-prescribed drug Prozac.

In addition, it is also effective in reducing anxiety, helps with insomnia, has a positive effect on cardiovascular health, mental performance and Alzheimer’s disease. It supports sexuality and fertility, as well as weight loss, for example by reducing appetite and insulin resistance quite effectively (for this reason it is also suitable for diabetics).

Cinnamon

The scent of apple strudel brightens every autumn day and caresses the soul. Cinnamon, which is responsible for this aroma, is not only good for baking, but also has a number of healing properties.

For example, it is very effective in reducing insulin resistance and blood glucose levels, making it suitable for diabetics. It has anti-inflammatory effects, kills a number of viruses and bacteria, and effectively lowers LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. It also promotes weight loss, relieves menstrual pain and premenstrual syndrome, and slows skin aging.

There are positive health effects from consuming 120 mg of cinnamon powder daily, which is about one tenth of a teaspoon. Water with cinnamon and honey is often recommended.

Oregano

Oregano, Czech dobromysl, is a popular herb in Mediterranean cuisine, used for healing in the form of tea (infusion) or as oregano oil.

It is a very powerful natural antibiotic against a number of viruses and bacteria, and is particularly popular in the treatment of fungal and yeast infections. It is anti-inflammatory, helps lower cholesterol and relieve pain, promotes weight loss and has anti-cancer effects.