5 Spices That are Good for Digestion This Holiday Season
Witten by: Barb Bagioli
Tis’ the season for…slow digestion? With fall festivities entering their peak season and the holidays approaching at a steady speed you may be experiencing slower than normal digestion, sluggishness or just feel…off. Maybe it’s from the abundance of apple cider donuts you’ve been consuming, maybe it’s the impending holiday induced stress, or a slower than usual seasonal adjustment.
No one can stop the days from advancing into the thick of the holiday rush, but you can control your diet. I know, one of the best parts of the holiday season is the abundance of great food. But, don’t let sugar and other highly processed foods get in the way of a healthy digestive tract!
You can avoid bloating, cramping and gas by choosing foods, herbs and spices that promote digestion and support a healthy gut microbiome.
As far as the best spices for digestion, my top five include:
Ginger
Cinnamon
Turmeric
Mint
Fennel
They all have their own special health benefits in addition to promoting gut health and they are terrific ways to spice up your seasonal dishes. That’s what we call a win-win.
Of course, none of these spices are cure-alls. So, if you are frequenting fast food joints and snacking on candy, cookies and leftover pie no spice is going to “fix” an already compromised gut and immune system.
However, these spices are a wonderful addition to a diet that is high in plant-based foods like – vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes and beans, nuts and seeds. Do yourself a favor and prioritize these plant foods on your plate to optimize gut function, promote healing, and support your digestion this season.
Spice things up for better digestion!
Utilize these spices to flavor and fortify your regular meals.
Ginger
One of my favorite ways for beating bloat is ginger tea. Ginger is a root that can be eaten fresh, dried or pickled and is touted for soothing gas pains, metabolizing fats and relieving stomach ailments. Ginger is also known to reduce nausea and vomiting (hello, first trimester morning sickness, pregnant ladies) and enhances digestion by stimulating the breakdown of food particles and promoting motility in the gastrointestinal tract. Keep things running smoothly by adding in a few cups of ginger tea to your daily rhythm.
Ginger is also a popular holiday spice, and can be used in seasonal favorites like gingerbread, gingerbread cookies and of course gingerbread men!
Cinnamon
The ideal spice for sweetening up your baked goods and breakfasts, cinnamon is known for its ability to stabilize blood sugars while also supporting healthy digestion. Much like the other spices on this list, cinnamon has been medicinally used around the world for thousands of years and provides a punch of protective antioxidant levels among other antibacterial, antifungal and anti-diabetic properties. Its powerful antifungal properties may be effective in treating and preventing the overgrowth of yeast and candida in the digestive tract.
Cinnamon is also a perfect complement to some of your favorite holiday treats like hot chocolate, snickerdoodles and cinnamon rolls. You can also try this homemade pumpkin spice coffee recipe which incorporates both ginger and cinnamon.
Turmeric
Turmeric is great for reducing inflammation and boosting your immune system. Used in ayurvedic medicine as a digestive healing agent, turmeric is a gut health God. When incorporated into your healthy home cooking, turmeric can improve digestion, and reduce gas and bloating by stimulating bile production in the liver and encouraging excretion of bile via the gall bladder, which improves the body’s ability to digest fats. It is anti-inflammatory, improves the intestinal flora and is now being explored and utilized as a treatment for IBS related diseases.
Use turmeric with seasonal staples like pumpkin pie or try it in something new like vegan turmeric eggnog.
Mint
This well-known mouth freshener has been used for hundreds of years for its medicinal properties. Mint is also widely used for its ability to aid in digestion. It activates the salivary glands and promotes the secretion of digestive enzymes that help to facilitate optimal digestion. It soothes the stomach of indigestion and inflammation and can also relieve IBS symptoms.
Of course, mint is a holiday classic typically in the form of peppermint everything, and while peppermint flavor doesn’t have the same health benefits of mint leaves, mint and chocolate combos like mint chocolate mini cakes or vegan mint chocolate smoothies. You can also make DIY mint extract to use in your recipes or give as a gift!
Fennel
Don’t forget the fennel! A long standing remedy for constipation and digestive troubles, fennel tea or fennel seeds can work wonders on your digestion. Fennel can support a healthy digestive tract by decreasing bloating, reducing cramps and warding off diarrhea. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and immune boosting benefits. Try it as a tincture or tea, or use the seeds as an addition to casseroles or give them a featured role in cookies, as a side dish or pair them with olives and orange zest to give as a present.
The holidays are the perfect time to integrate these spices into your recipes, because the flavors lend themselves so well to both classic and modern seasonal dishes. Spend some time thinking about your digestive health now and get ready for a healthier new year!
