Spices and herbs: improving public health through flavorful eating

Spices and herbs have a strong history of use across

cultures. This use is linked to a fundamental appreciation

of the health benefits of food and of the

flavor it delivers. The contribution of herbs and spices to

the public health effort is represented today through an

exciting blend of science, culinary art, and translation to

practice. This supplement reports on an important meeting

in which leaders from across these domains shared their

knowledge and experience. As Dr Dwyer states in the introductory

address, health professionals, researchers, and

policymakers have a great opportunity towork together to

improve consumer eating patterns. This supplement outlines

how this opportunitymay be realized, enlightened by

the study of spices and herbs.