Herbs and spices are staple part of every dishes or meals. But did you know that aside from adding taste and flavor to your food, they also have many health benefits?
Let’s get to know these herbs and spices that have cancer-preventive properties. Scroll down below to find out.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, which gives curry powder its yellow color. This compound contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, that can help protect against cancer development.
Due to its mild flavor, turmeric can be used as a dry rub on vegetables and even chicken. It can also be added to sauces, soups, and stews to help prevent cancer.
2. Parsley
Parsley contains apigenine, a natural oil that prevent the growth of blood vessels that supply cancerous tumors, which is known as angiogenesis. Apigenine cuts off the blood supply to a tumor. That is why this green herb has been gaining attention from the medical community.
3. Garlic
Garlic is an allium vegetable that is known to help prevent cancer, most especially of the stomach. Allium vegetables contains organosulfur compounds, the chemical responsible for causing eye-tearing when it is being chopped. Organosulfar are known for its anti-carcinogenic and immune-strengthening qualities.
Garlic can be sauteed in a tablespoon of olive oil and served with whole grain bread or added into meat and vegetables dishes.
4. Rosemary
Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb and a good source of antioxidants. Its leaves contain fatty acids of terpenes, a natural substance that prevents the cancer cells in tumors to stop reproducing and eventually die.
You can use rosemary to add flavor to tomato-based sauces, soup, bread and even high-protein foods such as beef, lamb and poultry.
5. Chile Pepper
Chile pepper contains capsaicin, known to be a powerful antioxidant, toxic to cancer cells. Capsaicin hinders the growth of prostate cancer cells and even had the power to let them die.
Chile pepper can add a tasty kick to a number of dishes as well. You can even mix it with other spices for that smoky-heat taste.
6. Black Pepper
Black pepper contains the substance piperine, a compound with strong antioxidant properties. Pepper has been found to inhibit the growth of cancerous stem cells of breast tumors. But this spice do not destroy healthy cells.
Pepper can add flavor to many dishes, from casseroles to soups. Additionally, it is a healthful alternative to table salt.
7. Mint
Mint contains phytochemical, that is known to cut off the blood supply to cancer tumors, thus resulting to their death.
