(22-01-13) Top 10 Herbs and Spices to Help You Lose Weight

1. Ginseng

Ginseng is valued for its ability to boost energy levels and speed metabolism.
Panax ginseng, in particular, has been linked to weight loss benefits, with one
study showing obese, diabetic mice given panax ginseng extracts not only had
improvements in insulin sensitivity, but also lost a significant amount of
weight after 12 days.1

2. Cayenne Pepper

Capsaicin, the compound that gives peppers their heat, may help fight obesity
by decreasing calorie intake, shrinking fat tissue, and lowering blood fat
levels, as well as fight fat buildup by triggering beneficial protein changes
in your body.2

Part of the benefit may be due to capsaicin's heat potential, as it is a
thermogenic substance that may temporarily increase thermogenesis in your body,
where your body burns fuel such as fat to create heat, with beneficial impacts
on metabolism and fat storage. Research suggests that consuming thermogenic
ingredients may boost your metabolism by up to 5 percent, and increase fat
burning by up to 16 percent.3 It may even help counteract the decrease in
metabolic rate that often occurs during weight loss.

3. Cinnamon

This spice may help to boost your metabolism, and it also has impressive
benefits for blood sugar regulation, making it an ideal seasoning for people
with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Cinnamon has been found to significantly reduce
blood sugar levels, triglycerides, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and total cholesterol
levels in people with type 2 diabetes, as well as increase glucose metabolism
by about 20 times, which would significantly improve your ability to regulate
blood sugar.4

4. Black Pepper

Black pepper contains a substance called piperine, which not only gives it its
pungent flavor, but also blocks the formation of new fat cells.5 When combined
with capsaicin and other substances, black pepper was also found to burn as
many calories as taking a 20-minute walk.6 As an aside, black pepper also
increases the bioavailability of just about all other foods -- herbs and other
compounds ? making it a healthy choice for virtually any meal.

5. Dandelions

Every part of the dandelion is edible and full of nutrition. And because they
help slow your digestion, they can make you feel full longer, helping you
maintain a healthy weight. Dandelions have antioxidant properties and contain
bitter crystalline compounds called Taraxacin and Taracerin, along with inulin
and levulin, compounds thought to explain some of its therapeutic properties.
Along with being full of dietary fiber, dandelions also contain beta carotene,
vitamin K1, vitamins and minerals, and are known for being beneficial for
normalizing blood sugar and cholesterol, as well as cleansing your liver.

6. Mustard

The mustard plant is actually in the cruciferous family of vegetables (along
with broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, for instance). Mustard seeds have
been shown to boost metabolic rate by 25 percent, which means you'll burn
calories more efficiently. In fact, just 3/5 teaspoon of mustard seeds daily
may help you burn an extra 45 calories an hour.7

7. Turmeric

If you're a fan of curry, you're probably also a fan of turmeric, as this is
the yellow-orange spice that makes the foundation of many curry dishes.
Curcumin, one of turmeric's most thoroughly studied active ingredients, reduces
the formation of fat tissue by suppressing the blood vessels needed to form it,
and therefore may contribute to lower body fat and body weight gain.8

Curcumin may also be useful for the treatment and prevention of obesity-
related chronic diseases, as the interactions of curcumin with several key
signal transduction pathways in the body result in improvements in insulin
resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and other inflammatory symptoms
associated with obesity and metabolic disorders.9

8. Ginger

Ginger is another warming spice that has anti-inflammatory properties and is
known to help soothe and relax your intestinal tract. Research also suggests
that ginger may have thermogenic properties that help boost your metabolism, as
well as have an appetite-suppressant effect when consumed, suggesting a
"potential role of ginger in weight management."10

9. Cardamom

Cardamom, an aromatic spice with a spicy-sweet flavor, is another thermogenic
herb that helps boost your metabolism and may boost your body's ability to burn
fat. Cardamom is a popular herb used in Ayurveda, an ancient holistic system of
medicine and natural healing from India.

10. Cumin

Cumin is useful for digestion and energy production, and may improve glycemic
control in people with type 2 diabetes. The spice has a long history of
medicinal use, and has also been found to enhance memory and provide potent
anti-stress benefits.

What Else are Spices Good For?

Far more than you might imagine ?Herbs and spices are actually some of the
most potent antioxidants in your food supply; in many instances surpassing
other more well-known sources of antioxidants. For example, spices such as
cloves and cinnamon have phenol levels that are 30 percent and 18 percent of
dry weight, respectively. Compare that to blueberries, which are widely touted
for their antioxidant capabilities; they contain roughly 5 percent phenol by
dry weight...

Another example is oregano, which has 42 times more antioxidant activity than
apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges, and four times
more than blueberries! One tablespoon of fresh oregano contains the same
antioxidant activity as one medium-sized apple.

While each spice has a unique set of health benefits to offer, one study,
published in the Journal of Medicinal Foods,11 found a direct correlation
between the antioxidant phenol content and the spice's ability to inhibit
glycation and the formation of toxic advanced glycation end products, making
them potent preventers of heart disease and premature aging. According to this
study, the top 10 most potent herbs and spices are:

Cloves (ground)
Cinnamon (ground)
Jamaican allspice (ground)
Apple pie spice (mixture)
Oregano (ground)
Pumpkin pie spice (mixture)
Marjoram
Sage
Thyme
Gourmet Italian spice

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