Want to boost nutrition, health and up your culinary game at the same time? Fresh herbs are the perfect prescription. They’re packed with nutrients that have been shown to boost brainpower, increase your inner organ functionality, and protect you against diseases like asthma and arthritis. The best part is that knowing how to wield them well guarantees a super flavor boost to any meal you make. Delicious!
Basil-
The Benefit: Basil is rich in antioxidants that mop up cell-damaging free radicals inside the body. This can help prevent a host of unwanted conditions, such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and high cholesterol. Basil also contains oils that prevent bacteria growth and inflammation.
The Blueprint: Make fresh pesto by blending 2 cups fresh basil leaves with 2 tablespoons pine nuts, ¼ cup Parmesan, and ¼ cup olive oil.
Peppermint-
The Benefit: Thank the menthol in peppermint for the plant’s ability to clear phlegm and mucus from the bronchial tract to facilitate easy breathing. And also for soothing indigestion, gas, menstrual cramps, and irritable bowel syndrome.
The Blueprint: Brighten up a batch of fruit salad with a squeeze of lime and handful of chopped mint leaves.
Sage-
The Benefit: Like rosemary, sage is known to strengthen memory. The rosemerinic acid in these plants also works to preserve your body by protecting your cells from oxidative damage and alleviating the effects of asthma and arthritis.
The Blueprint: For a quick pasta sauce, melt a pat of butter in a pan until it bubbles and turns light brown, then add a handful of whole sage leaves. Toss with store-bought cheese or pumpkin ravioli.
Rosemary-
The Benefit: Call it the smart spice. Many people swear by rosemary’s ability to increase cognitive functioning, and researchers in California have identified carnosic acid as an active ingredient in rosemary that can offset cognitive degeneration, protect against Alzheimer’s, and prevent stroke.
The Blueprint: Mix together minced rosemary, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Use as a marinade for chicken, steak, pork, and vegetables.
Thyme-
The Benefit: This tiny herb is extremely rich in iron, which is crucial to your body’s ability to transport oxygen. Just 2 teaspoons contain 20 percent of your daily intake. Plus, seasoning with thyme helps protect food from bacterial contamination.
The Blueprint: Thyme is the ultimate utility player, pairing great with roasted meat and vegetables, tomato sauce, and scrambled eggs.
Cilantro-
The Benefit: In mice studies, coriander seeds, from the cilantro plant, encouraged the pancreas to produce more insulin-the hormone that helps shuttle glucose into the cells to be burned as energy. This prevents excess blood sugars from being stored as fat. Cilantro leaves have the same benefits.
The Blueprint: Chop up a few tomatoes, an onion, and a jalapeño and mix with a heap of cilantro for a versatile fresh salsa.
Tarragon-
The Benefit: By increasing the secretion of bile and acids into the stomach, tarragon improves gastric efficiency and whets the appetite. Because of this, it’s best used early in the meal as an appetizer.
The Blueprint: Grill up a mixture of vegetables-onions, peppers, squash, asparagus-and sprinkle them with fresh goat cheese, tarragon, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Oregano-
The Benefit: A USDA study found that when adjusted for weight, it had four times the antioxidant activity of blueberries. That means big cancer-fighting potential for your next pizza or pasta sauce.
The Blueprint: Add equal parts fresh parsley and oregano to a blender and, with the motor running, slowly drizzle in olive or canola oil. Strain and use the infused oil to top grilled fish or chicken or as a dip for toasted bread.
Parsley-
The Benefit: These dainty leaves are highly concentrated with luteolin, a powerful flavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers at the University of Illinios found that luteolin decreased inflammation in the brain, which helps prevent decline in cognitive functions.
The Blueprint: Chop a bushel and mix it with bulgur wheat. Add olive oil, lemon juice, and mint and you have a tasty tabbouleh salad to pair with grilled fish or meat.
Ref: Eat This, Not That! from Mens Health News
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