Health benefits of herbs and spices in aging adults

Evidence from the literature suggests that herbs

and spices and their components, such as cinna-mon, garlic, curcumin, and capsaicin, may have

beneficial effects on health and behavioral outcomes. These outcomes characterize age-related

chronic diseases, and the effects reported here may

be mediated by the antioxidant actions of herbs

and spices. The inclusion of herbs and spices in protective dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean

and Okinawan diets, may play a role in contributing

to their effects.

Conversely, a paucity of herbs and

spices may be linked to the detrimental health outcomes associated with the Western diet. The food

or meal vehicle providing the herb or spice should

also be considered when translating to dietary

advice to preserve the beneficial role within a specific dietary pattern.

Encouragement of a diet rich

in herbs and spices may also improve acceptability

of protective dietary patterns, suggesting that the

impact of herbs and spices on healthy aging may

be multifaceted.