A healthy heart is essential for a happy existence since it reduces depression, balances blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduces fat in the body. All of this, however, is only possible if you maintain a heart-healthy diet and lifestyle. Everyone now understands the importance of green vegetables and fruits in a balanced diet. However, many people are unaware that there are various herbs and spices that, when ingested on a regular basis, can help you achieve a healthy heart. They are low-cost sources of antioxidants and other possibly beneficial chemicals. Even in the old Indian medical system Ayurveda and the South Indian medicinal system Siddha, different spices and herbs are stated as having medicinal properties such as being anti-thrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, and so on. Here is a list of several common spices that can help keep your heart healthy.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric is an essential spice as well as medicine employed in ancient traditional medicinal systems such as Siddha and Ayurveda, which date back over 5000 years. Turmeric was employed as an anti-inflammatory substance in Indian and Chinese medicine to treat gas, colic, toothaches, chest pains, and menstruation troubles. It lowers LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels while raising HDL cholesterol. Because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, turmeric and curcumin have been shown to help with a variety of conditions including heart disease, chronic inflammatory lung disease, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegenerative diseases, hepatic and lung damage, muscle injuries, cystic fibrosis.
2. Ginger
According to research, ginger may help keep your heart healthy. Ginger has anti-inflammatory qualities that help to reduce oxidative stress, which is harmful to the heart. Ginger has also been proven in multiple studies to lower cholesterol levels, increase liver function, and lower blood pressure, all of which are associated with healthy heart function. Using dry ginger as a spice in any cooked food and fresh ginger in tea preparations are great methods to incorporate this spice into your diet for heart health benefits.
3. Coriander
Coriander has a long history of usage in traditional medicine and is often found in Asian, Mediterranean, and Mexican cuisines. Coriander seeds have a great hypolipidemic effect. Coriander seeds have been shown to have a significant lipid-lowering effect, resulting in lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels and higher HDL levels.
4. Garlic
It is used as a flavouring agent, traditional medicine, and functional food to improve physical and mental health worldwide. Garlic is said to be effective in the prevention of numerous aspects of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and dyslipidemia, in addition to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-fungal qualities. Garlic functions as a heart tonic by keeping blood fluid and strengthening the heart. Considerable evidence from the literature supports garlic's crucial function in the treatment of high cholesterol by inhibition of cholesterol manufacture in the liver as well as inhibiting low-density lipoprotein oxidation.
5. Black Pepper
Black pepper, one of the most commonly used spices for seasoning, is also a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory booster, with positive connections with lipid-lowering benefits. Its primary ingredient, piperine, is responsible for lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Black pepper is also high in vanadium, which may aid in the rehabilitation of cardiac function after a heart attack.
