Scientists have found that spices such as paprika can protect your body from effects of fatty foods.
Previously we reported on thermogenic foods such as chilli and garlic and how they can speed up your metabolism. Now, a team of scientists from Penn State University in the US have found that spices such as paprika and cinnamon can cut the stress that that high-fat foods can place on the heart.
To test this theory the scientists prepared meals on two separate days for six overweight men aged between 30 and 65. They had two separate meals that were made identically but to one they added two tablespoons of spices such as turmeric, black pepper and oregano as they had potent antioxidant activity.They found that when the men ate the meals which contained a blend of antioxidant spices, antioxidant activity in the blood was increased by 13% and insulin response decreased by about 20%.
Study leader, Sheila West, said: "Normally, when you eat a high-fat meal, you end up with high levels of triglycerides, a type of fat, in your blood. If this happens too frequently, or if triglyceride levels are raised too much, your risk of heart disease is increased. We found that adding spices to a high-fat meal reduced triglyceride response by about 30%, compared to a similar meal with no spices added."
MSN Life & Style
12 August 2011
