Fall spices
Thanks to intern Regan Collora for her work on this blog and associated social posts.
Ahhh Fall. A season for the senses.
It’s time to crunch through a pile of plum colored leaves and cozy up to a crackling bonfire. It’s also the perfect setting for a cup of warm pumpkin soup. Or, hop a hay-ride, pick apples and finish the day with fresh cider or a piece of fragrant cinnamon ginger apple crisp.
Yum. Count me in!
What’s better than fall spices that enhance recipes? Their nutritional benefits!
What are the benefits of fall spices?
Fall spices offer an array of benefits that promote health and fight illnesses of the heart, brain, reproductive and digestive systems. Their antioxidant qualities also help protect cells from cancer.
Cinnamon can be used as both a sweet and savory spice. It’s also been shown to reduce:
total cholesterol
LDL cholesterol
blood pressure
Reducing all three of these things can help lower the risk of heart disease.
Nutmeg is another versatile spice that can be used in sweet or savory recipes. It can be used to:
ease stress
boost mood
protect cells with it’s antioxidant properties
Ginger has a spicy fresh flavoring to it. It helps to:
ease chronic indigestion and nausea
reduce menstrual pain
lower blood sugar
reduce inflammation
Cloves are used both whole and ground to incorporate sweet and savory components to baked goods, sauces, and chai or mulled drinks. Cloves provide a beneficial source of vitamin K, potassium, beta-carotene and eugenol (an aromatic compound). They’re best known for their strong antioxidant benefits and may:
reduce inflammation
improve the immune system
reduce oxidative stress
Pumpkin spice is a combination of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and allspice. It has many of the nutritional benefits listed above, so throw it in everything this fall!
Don’t delay, start your delicious, nutritious fall recipes today.
Sweet Recipe Inspiration
Savory Recipe Inspiration
Resources:
Learn more about fall flavors here- Falling for flavor
Can’t get enough pumpkin spice? Check out this article on the benefits of pumpkin spice
Top 10 benefits of cinnamon, from Healthline
The health properties of ginger, from Healthline