Abstract
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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.