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Spices — Nutrients, Health Benefits, and Shopping Tips

Spices photo

Listonic Team

September 4, 2024

Spices not only enhance flavor but also offer health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory properties. Discover how to choose fresh spices, learn about their health benefits, and find out how to store them to retain their potency.

Spices nutrients

Check the detailed nutritional values of spices, including information such as calories, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins per 100 grams of the product.

Nutrition facts

Amount per 100 g

Calories

🔥 251 kcal

Nutrients per: 100 g% Daily Value*
Carbs50 g18.18%
Fiber25 g89.29%
Sugars0 g-
Glycemic Index5 -
Protein10 g20%
Sodium20 mg0.87%
Total Fat3 3.85%

*The % of Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Among other things, here's what makes spices stand out:

25 g

✅ High Fiber Content

10 g

🧀 Good Protein Content

Spices facts & tips

📦
Keep spices in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. Whole spices can be stored for up to four years, while ground spices should be used within two to three years for optimal flavor.

Health benefits

Understand how spices, with their diverse flavors, can boost the taste and nutritional value of your meals.
  • Enhance flavor in dishes, making them more enjoyable and palatable, which can encourage healthy eating habits.
  • Contain antioxidants that help protect the body from free radicals and reduce inflammation.
  • May have antimicrobial properties, which can help fight off infections and improve overall health.
  • Can aid digestion by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes and improving gut motility.
  • Support overall health by providing a variety of bioactive compounds that can have numerous beneficial effects.

Health risks

Recognize the risks related to spices.
  • Potential for digestive irritation such as heartburn or stomach discomfort, particularly in individuals sensitive to spicy or strong-flavored spices.
  • Risk of allergic reactions in some individuals, particularly those allergic to specific spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or paprika, causing symptoms like itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
  • Potential for contamination with pesticides, heavy metals, or harmful bacteria if spices are not properly sourced, processed, or stored.
  • Risk of overuse leading to excessive intake of certain compounds that may cause adverse health effects, such as too much turmeric or cayenne pepper.
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How to choose spices

Spices should be aromatic and vibrant in color, which indicates they are fresh and have been properly stored. The texture should be fine and consistent, free from clumps or moisture.

Avoid spices that smell musty or look faded, as they likely won’t impart much flavor to your dishes. Spices that have hardened or caked should also be avoided, as they have been exposed to air for too long and will not perform well in cooking.

How to choose spices

How to store spices

Spices should be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. Keeping them in the pantry helps preserve their flavor and potency for up to a year. Proper storage ensures that spices remain fresh and aromatic.

Exposure to light and air can cause spices to lose their flavor. Avoid storing them near heat sources, as this can degrade their quality. Always ensure the containers are tightly sealed to maintain freshness and prevent contamination.

✅ Extra Tip

To maximize flavor, consider grinding whole spices just before use rather than storing pre-ground ones.

How long do they last?

Spices can last for 1-2 years when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. For the best flavor, use them within 6-12 months.

What to do with leftovers?

Leftover spices can be used in a variety of culinary and non-culinary ways. In the kitchen, spices are essential for adding flavor and depth to dishes like soups, sauces, marinades, and baked goods. They can be used individually or combined to create custom spice blends for specific cuisines or dishes.

Beyond cooking, spices have numerous other uses. They can be used in DIY beauty treatments, such as mixing them into face masks, scrubs, or bath soaks for their aromatic and therapeutic properties. Spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg can be used in homemade potpourri or sachets to add a warm, inviting scent to your home. Additionally, certain spices can be used in natural cleaning solutions, such as using ground cinnamon to deter ants or mixing essential oils from spices with water to create a natural air freshener. Spices can also be used in crafting to create scented candles, homemade soaps, or to dye fabrics and papers.

👨‍⚕️️ Medical disclaimer

The content on this website is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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