Spices are incorporated into our meals everyday. They give our foods a flavor and aroma that can bring even the pickiest of eaters to the table. Spices not only peak our smell and our taste buds but certain spices can also help us fight off a down to bone winter chill. This is just a short list of spices that can warm the toes and tickle the taste buds.

Cinnamon is a winter spice often used for its distinctive taste and smell. Ground cinnamon is great for topping toast, oatmeal and fruit. Cinnamon can be found in many baked foods as well as chili and soup. Add a cinnamon stick to a hot beverage such as tea. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on a bowl of applesauce to give it a naturally sweet taste. Diabetics can use this winter spice to help reduce blood sugar levels along with triglycerides and cholesterol.

Ginger warms a cold body as well as being quite healthy for us. Ginger can be added to soups, sprinkle on vegetables or used on meats to give them a tangy flavor. It can also give tea a zesty bite. Many use this spice to help elevate nausea and migraine headaches and in relieving the pain of arthritis. This spice is known for having powerful anti-inflammatory agents.

Cloves have a distinctive taste. They are often used when roasting meats, such as ham, to give it a full flavor. This spice can be found in those delicious baked foods as well as in many types of tea. Cloves are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Turmeric is an Indian spice most often found in powder form. It adds flavor to soups, stews and chili as well as in pasta sauce. It can be used when roasting meats to give them a distinct flavor. Scientific studies have shown that turmeric not only warms the body but can also help in protecting the body against cancer. Turmeric has been used for treating stomach ulcers and relieving free radical stress in people suffering inflammation.

In experimental studies cardamom has been shown to prevent cancer and help in detoxifying the liver. Cardamom is often used in concurrence with cinnamon. Teas, ciders and flavored hot waters are enhanced by cardamom. Cardamom can be added to foods that also contain cloves to enhance the flavor and aroma of the dish.

Just the sound of pepper warms a body. Pepper is a strong spice often used when cooking bland dishes. This spice gives a pungent flavor to almost any food. Adding a little extra pepper instead of salt to your foods can be both a warming and healthy benefit. Pepper is also said to be helpful to those who have asthma.

Adding these spices to winter meals will not only help fight off the cold but can also be a healthy benefit to any diet. These are just a few of the many spices that can enhance the flavor and aroma of your meals. Add them to any of your favorite foods. The taste and smell are sure to warm the body and comfort the soul.