And then you have the food. Every food you cook or every beer you drink during the fall seems to have some sort of spice or flavor in it that define the season. We've all seen them or tasted them, but do we really know what they are or how they can benefit us? Some will be familiar, while others may seem new. Take a look and don't be afraid to try some of these spices in your favorite fall spices--
Cinnamon
We've all seen it and tasted it, but what does it actually do? Well, aside from making bland food taste better (oatmeal, anyone?) it can help lower cholesterol, aid in digestion, and balance blood sugar. Try adding cinnamon to the aforementioned oatmeal, sliced apples, or tea.
Nutmeg
Try sprinkling some nutmeg on your soup to reduce nausea, indigestion, anxiety, and even toothaches. Be sure to only sprinkle the nutmeg though as it is known to be toxic if consumed in large amounts. Not to mention you can also find nutmeg, along with cinnamon, in many fall beers.
Ginger
We've all enjoyed ginger ale at one point, perhaps when we're sick or have a stomach ache? That's because ginger has the ability to eliminate gastrointestinal gas while relaxing the intestinal tract. Studies have actually shown that ginger is superior to the over-the-counter drug Dramamine when combating motion sickness. Ginger is also an excellent anti-inflammatory, which has been shown to lead to a reduction in arthritic pain and swelling and an increase in mobility in arthritic joints. Not to mention one teaspoon of ginger has been shown to have similar antioxidant levels as a cup of spinach. Available in several different forms from several different markets, ginger is a common ingredient in apple pie, apple sauce, Asian stir-fry, and of course, gingerbread.
Cloves
While cloves are available throughout the year, they tend to be more widely used during the holiday seasons. They offer a sweet, warm taste to pumpkin pie, gingerbread, curries, marinades, and even certain types of soups. Cloves offer many health benefits such as reduction in joint inflammation and a decrease in the risk for digestive tract cancers. Clove oil has even been known to relieve toothaches!
Tumeric
Probably lesser known than the four mentioned above, tumeric is full of antioxidants and is great in stews, chilis, and soups. Not only is tumeric a cancer fighter, especially within the digestive system, but it can also help treat respiratory illnesses, liver illnesses, and arthritis.
