Season(ings) Greetings: Clove, Cumin, Fennel

Next up in the Season(ings) Greetings spotlight: Clove, Cumin, and Fennel Seeds... 

Clove is among the top spices in terms of antioxidant concentration, and has been shown to aid in lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and subsequent risk of atherosclerosis. Studies suggest additional value as an antiseptic, anti-parasitic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and digestive aid. Containing calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, B₁, B₂, and C, clove helps to relieve nausea, stimulate appetite, and reduce flatulence. 

Tip: These benefits do not transfer to clove cigarettes. 

Associated recipe: Election cake with clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg

Cumin is a key component in curry powder, and packs a nutty and peppery punch. Cumin seeds have been shown to aid digestion, stabilize blood sugar, fight colon, stomach, and liver cancers, and improve metabolic abnormalities in diabetes. Cumin seeds are high in iron, manganese, calcium, and magnesium, which are important for energy production and immune function. 

Tip: Spice up brown rice with cumin, coriander seeds, almonds, and dried apricots. 

Associated recipe: Lady Bird Johnson’s Pedernales Chili Recipe

Fennel seeds taste similar to anise (with a licorice-like flavor), and contains the anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting agent, anethole. Fennel stimulates bile acid production in the liver, prominent in fat digestion and absorption. This spice is also useful as an appetite suppressant, eye wash, digestive aid, and flea repellant. The broad value of fennel is due to the amino acids, calcium, choline, essential fatty acids, fiber, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and vitamins C, K, E and B₁, B₂, B₃ it contains. 

Tip: Chew fennel seeds after meals to freshen breath and aid digestion. 

Associated recipe: Oysters Rockefeller

To move along to the spice duo of Ginger and Garlic, click here. 
For a full archive of my nutrition articles for OKRA Magazine, click here.