Oregano

If you crave Italian food, chances are you have a diet that contains a healthy amount of oregano - and that’s good news for you. One teaspoon of dried oregano contains significant amounts of both fiber and vitamin K, and packs as many antioxidants as three cups of spinach. This spice is also rich in carvacrol and thymol, two compounds known for their antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral qualities. So chowing down on pizza or pasta with sauce can help you fight intestinal parasites, kill the bacteria that cause food poisoning, and aid in your digestion. This spice is also rich in a range of minerals and omega-3 fatty acids.

Turmeric

Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is rich in antioxidants, and has been shown to provide healing and protective benefits for nearly every organ in the body. Its health benefits are far reaching. It can help ease arthritis pain and manage diabetes, and has shown benefits in managing everything from heart disease to Alzheimer’s, cystic fibrosis. It may even help fight against certain kinds of cancers. A daily intake of two teaspoons of turmeric gives you significant amounts of your daily recommended values for both iron and manganese. As if this isn’t enough of a reason to incorporate turmeric into your diet, a study by Tufts University has shown that turmeric may help stop weight gain.

Curry

Curry is actually a spice blend, most commonly comprised of some combination of turmeric, ginger, and coriander, along with several other spices, including chili, cardamom, cinnamon (many of the spices listed individually in this article), and up to 20 others. It brings together a rich blend of health benefits. This spice blend is rich in the antioxidants carbazole alkaloids, may help protect against cell damage, which can stop premature aging. This spice is also used in India as a treatment for diabetes, heart disease, senile dementia, and infection.