Spice Up Your Health: 15 Fragrant Recipes with Health-Boosting Powers

  • By Jennifer Mulder
  • 16 October 2017
  • 3 minute read
Spice Up Your Health: 15 Fragrant Recipes with Health-Boosting Powers | The Health Sessions

On crispy days, with the leaves falling from trees, there’s nothing cozier than warming up with fragrant Fall flavours. But seasonal favourites like cinnamon, cardamom and ginger are not just for seasoning, they spice up your health too.

Throughout history, spices have been used for their health-boosting powers. Garlic is known for its antibacterial benefits, while ginger reduces nausea and cinnamon lowers your blood sugar levels. One of the most widely studies spices, turmeric, has strong anti-inflammatory effects, which benefits your health in multiple ways. Other culinary staples with disease-fighting compounds are cayenne pepper, vanilla beans and cumin seeds.

So stock your spice cabinet and get creative! Make your own spice blends so you can easily whip up a warming curry, fajita or Asian flavored stir fry. Get cozy with a homemade pumpkin spice latte or anti-oxidant rich Chai tea. Or take inspiration from these 16 spice-packed recipes with flavors from all around the world.

Spice Up Your Health: 15 Fragrant Recipes with Health-Boosting Powers | The Health Sessions

15 Fragrant Recipes to Spice Up Your Health

Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte with Warming Spices from The First Mess

Level up your naturally sweetened latte with antioxidant-packed cinnamon and nutmeg.

Warm Spiced Cashew Coconut Milk from Gourmande in the Kitchen

This dairy-free beverage with flavonoid-rich star anise and cinnamon makes a soothing bedtime drink.

Chai Teff Porridge with Coconut Milk from Will Frolic For Food

Start your day strong with this warming porridge full of anti-inflammatory cardamom, clove and ginger.

Maple Buckwheat Crepes with Spiced Apple + Chestnut Relish from Happy Hearted Kitchen

This Fall, why not make some spiced chestnut relish that supports your digestion and immunity to go with your pancakes?

Creamy Thai Carrot Sweet Potato Soup from Cookie + Kate

This Thai soup packs a punch in the flavor and the nutritional department, with heart-healthy garlic and metabolism-boosting cayenne.

Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup) from The Woks of Life

Packed with immune-supporting coriander seeds, ginger, cloves and cardamom, this pho will warm you up on chilly evenings.

Moroccan Quinoa Patties with Cucumber, Yoghurt and Mint from Happy Hearted Kitchen

Improve your digestion with both the spices (cumin and paprika) and fresh herbs (parsley and mint) in this dish.

Spice Up Your Health: 15 Fragrant Recipes with Health-Boosting Powers | The Health Sessions
All photos by Maria van Doorn, used with permission.

Lebanese Shish Taouk from The Spice Kit Recipes

Marinade your chicken breast in garlic, cayenne and black pepper to boost your antioxidants levels with a tasty meal.

Crispy Salmon Burrito Bowl from Cook Republic 

With these Mexican-flavored spices like cumin, paprika and garlic, your salmon rice bowl becomes even tastier and healthier.

Bombay Potatoes from Cook Republic

This classic Indian take on ‘chips’ is packed with health-boosting turmeric and curry powder.

The Best Healthy Turkey Chili from Ambitious Kitchen

This turkey chili is perfectly spiced with chili powder, cumin and cayenne pepper for a warming bowl of food.

Curried Roasted Eggplant with Smoked Cardamom and Coconut Milk from The Bojon Gourmet

A veggie curry full of antioxidant-rich spices that support your digestion, what’s not to love?

Vegan Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate and Walnuts from The Awesome Green 

Looking for a guilt-free dessert? This naturally sweetened, gluten-free pumpkin bread is loaded with turmeric and pumpkin spice.

Baked Apples with Spiced Oatmeal from Green Kitchen Stories

Cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla go well together in this healthy dessert.

No-Churn Cardamom Nice Cream with Almond Butter Caramel Ripple from Cashew Kitchen

No ice-cream maker? No problem, with this vegan ice cream spiced with cinnamon and cardamom.

Spice Up Your Health: 15 Fragrant Recipes with Health-Boosting Powers | The Health Sessions

How do you like to spice up your cooking and your health?

If you enjoyed reading this article, you might also like Recovery-Boosting Recipes: 25 Meals That Support Your Healing Process and 101 Small Things You Can Do Today to Boost Your Health & Happiness.

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