Condiments That Benefit Your Health

The things you sprinkle on your meals may be the key to good health, and in many cases, just a little bit goes a long way. So let’s take a look at four beneficial condiments that you probably already have in your pantry that can improve your health.
• The first one is rosemary: Sometimes when certain foods are cooked, cancer causing compounds can form. One in particular is beef – especially when it’s grilled. The char on the meat can be extremely carcinogenic. That’s where the rosemary comes in. Scientists at Kansas State University found that seasoning beef with rosemary before grilling could reduce cancer-causing substances by 30 percent. It’s the anti-oxidants in rosemary that are doing all the work – they “scavenge” the harmful compounds.
• The second condiment that can benefit your health is horseradish, because it can detox your body: There are compounds in the roots and leaves of the horseradish plant that can increase your liver’s ability to detoxify carcinogens and suppress the growth of existing tumors. All you need is a-quarter of a teaspoon! In fact, horseradish is 10 times more powerful at detoxifying your liver than broccoli, the next best source.
• The third condiment that can improve your health is sauerkraut, because it eases digestion: It’s full of good bacteria that can help relieve gas and stomach distension. Up to 95 percent of people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome have said horseradish has improved their quality of life. Use fresh sauerkraut – it has more probiotic material than the canned or jarred kinds.
• The last spice that could benefit you is black pepper: Doctors at the University of Michigan say it guards against cancer — because it blocks cancerous stem cells from multiplying.