Spices can play numerous roles—but we usually think first about their culinary charm. Traditional French cooking may not be the most adventurous when it comes to spice usage. Eastern cuisines, on the other hand, have long embraced spices as essential ingredients.
Indeed, Europe too has discovered over centuries how spices can transform dishes, add fragrance, and even deliver health benefits.
The Power Behind the Spice
Constantly highlighted for their unique health properties, spices are making a stronger entry into our daily routines. They don’t just add flavor; in many cases, they are believed to help boost overall well-being.
Effects vary greatly from one spice to another, and rigorous scientific research about these benefits is still limited. Yet modern science is now paying careful attention to what traditional medicine has long utilized.
A Spice Like No Other: The Golden Secret of Saffron
You’ve probably heard of ginger, valued globally for its energizing and antiseptic qualities. And turmeric, a natural anti-inflammatory and potent antioxidant known widely for helping digestion, is also currently enjoying its moment as a wellness superstar.
But there’s another spice prized for millennia—especially in Indian and Persian cuisines—for its manifold benefits, some scientifically proven, others still speculated upon: saffron.
This tiny dried pistil, derived from the flower Crocus sativus, can sell at dizzyingly high prices. Why? Because cultivating saffron demands meticulous, labor-intensive harvesting and processing. Premium quality saffron (yes, even excellent French saffron exists!) can reach an astounding €30,000 (approximately $32,000) per kilogram.
Saffron: A Cholesterol-Fighting Spice?
Fortunately, saffron is potent enough to deliver powerful results in very small doses. Lower-quality saffron can also cost slightly less (though still expensive, ranging from about $11 to $27 per gram). As an article in France’s Journal des Femmes points out, scientists worldwide are taking a keen interest in its possible health impacts—particularly regarding fat absorption and cholesterol control.
Recent research, such as a 2022 Malaysian study published in The Malaysian Journal of Science, investigated saffron extract’s ability to manage “bad” fats involved in cholesterol imbalance. The results are promising: the saffron compounds could positively influence cholesterol levels, achieving effects closely comparable to medications prescribed to manage cholesterol in humans.
A Promising Area for Further Studies?
An active ingredient in saffron, crocin, may have hypolipidemic effects—potentially making it particularly helpful in fighting harmful cholesterol buildup. Its use could support cholesterol management, thus decreasing associated cardiovascular risks.
Of course, we aren’t suggesting eating spoonfuls of the spice—that would bankrupt you and likely harm rather than boost your health. Moderation is key.
Supporting these findings, a 2020 Spanish study published in Applied Science Functional Foods and Human Health demonstrated positive impacts after consuming saffron infusions daily for three months, significantly reducing bad cholesterol levels. The required amounts were minimal: quality saffron diluted in water.
While encouraging, larger-scale studies are necessary for more definitive claims. Most importantly, saffron supplementation doesn’t replace the need for adopting fundamental dietary and lifestyle habits to restore balance sustainably.
Cinnamon: From Grandma’s Baking to Your New Daily Ritual
For many of us, cinnamon evokes cozy memories of grandma’s apple pies. However, this warm, sweetly-spicy ingredient is returning grandly—finding its way into our kitchens, cups, and skincare rituals.
Rich in antioxidants, fragrant cinnamon has all the traits of the ultimate “super ingredient.” Why limit yourself to just a sprinkle in baked goods?
Perhaps the easiest way to incorporate cinnamon into your life is through infusions. A cinnamon stick steeped gently in hot water—add a slice of orange or a few drops of honey—and voilà—a comforting, mood-boosting drink that warms your spirit as much as your body. Consider it the liquid equivalent of being wrapped in your softest blanket on a stressful day.
Cooking-wise, cinnamon works wonders everywhere. Sprinkle it generously in porridge, mix it into homemade compote, or surprise your palate by blending it lightly into vegetable curries or carrot soups. For added sophistication, elevate your morning cappuccino with a dash of cinnamon—or enhance the pleasure of hot chocolate with this little twist.
Cinnamon doesn’t stop at your kitchen. It’s also making waves in beauty routines: mixed into homemade masks to stimulate circulation, added gently with honey for a natural lip plumper, or blended with sugar and oil to create a gentle exfoliating scrub. Be cautious though; cinnamon can irritate sensitive skin, so start gently.
Whether you’re a fan of cozy lattes, spicy cooking, or DIY skincare, cinnamon deserves a place in your daily life. It warms, stimulates, scents… and has that little sensory touch that makes everything feel softer. We told you: it’s got it all.
**Cette Épice, Excellente pour les Artères, Ferait Baisser le Cholestérol en 3 Mois**
This article first appeared on bibamagazine.fr – Author: Laura Guiguo
