Great Spices and Herbs for Improved Senior Health

Senior Care in Hampton Bays NY

As seniors grow older, their taste buds often don’t work like they used to, making foods taste bland. The good news is that you can add some delicious herbs and spices to foods to boost the flavor for your loved one requiring in-home care. Not only will herbs and spices improve flavor, many of them offer some great health benefits as well. Here’s a look at some great spices and herbs you can add to foods to improve the health of your elderly loved one.

1 – Ginger

Ginger has the ability to decrease nausea and may also help to relieve the inflammation, swelling, and pain that comes with arthritis. Other health benefits of ginger include its ability to relieve heartburn, prevent colds, and prevent certain cancers. Sprinkle ginger onto cooked vegetables, add it to fresh fruit, or consider adding candied ginger to a senior’s diet.

2 – Garlic

Adding garlic to a senior’s dishes is sure to please their taste buds, but garlic does more than add great flavor to favorite dishes. It also boosts the immune system, lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, reduces inflammation, and may lower blood pressure. Garlic is best used fresh, so mince it up in pasta dishes, add it to steamed veggies, or use in homemade dressings.

3 – Cinnamon

Another spice superstar to consider giving seniors requiring home care is cinnamon. Cinnamon helps fight bacteria, reduces inflammation, controls appetite, and lowers blood sugar levels. It’s even known to help lower cholesterol and triglycerides, improving overall heart health. Add cinnamon to your loved one’s diet by sprinkling a bit over fresh fruit, adding some to cooked oatmeal, or using just a bit with some butter on toast.

4 – Cayenne Pepper

The capsaicin found in cayenne pepper gives the pepper that hot burn, but it also works to boost metabolism, helping seniors maintain a healthy weight. Eating cayenne pepper may also help lower the risk of heart attack, reduce arthritis pain, lower blood pressure, and lower levels of bad cholesterol. Add this spice to hummus, sprinkle on chocolate, or use it to spice up tacos or other types of Mexican foods.

5 – Turmeric

Turmeric contains curcumin in it, which has been found to help reduce the risk of cancer. This spice also helps to reduce pain, lower inflammation levels, and prevent heart attacks. It tastes wonderful when added to rice, imparting a bit of Indian flavor to this delicious dish. You can also add it to chicken, use it in a salad dressing, or sprinkle a bit on eggs for extra flavor.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional senior care in Hampton Bays, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.

Source

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/nutrition/health-benefits-of-spices-herbs/

http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/8_of_the_worlds_healthiest_spices

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/superfoods/healthy-spices/