Doctors often warn people about the dangers of eating high fat diets because it increases the risk for heart disease and other conditions. Unfortunately for most people, high fat meals are also the most delicious. Researchers may have found a way to help combat some of the risks in fatty foods. They’ve discovered that adding spices that are high in antioxidants may give some protection against fatty foods.
Antioxidants and Triglycerides
When a person eats a meal, the body takes the carbohydrates found in the food and converts them to energy. Not all the calories from the carbohydrates are converted, and what is left gets turned into triglycerides. These triglycerides then are kept in fat cells, in case they can be used later.
Triglycerides present in the blood are essentially fat in the blood, and having too much of them increases the risk for heart disease and heart attacks. When a person eats fatty foods, the triglycerides levels increase.
Researchers have found that adding spices that are high in antioxidants to fatty foods may help in keeping the triglyceride levels down.
Antioxidants in High Fat Meals
Researchers from Penn State University have found that adding spices rich in antioxidants may combat foods rich in fat. The researchers worked with participants that were fed high-fat foods for 2 days. The participants were men between 30-65 years old, and were slightly overweight, but otherwise in good health.
One high fat meal was served with certain selected spices, like oregano, rosemary, cinnamon, turmeric, cloves, garlic powder, paprika and black powder. These ingredients were used because they were rich in antioxidants. The participants were also served the same high-fat meal, but without the spices.
When the antioxidant rich spices were added, the researchers found that triglyceride levels had decreased by 30%. Combating the triglyceride levels is believed to help reduce the risk for heart disease.
Other Antioxidants that Combat Heart Disease
While adding spices rich in antioxidants may help in combating fatty foods, there are also vitamins and herbal supplements that a person can take to help combat the risk of heart disease.
Studies show that Vitamin E is effective because of its ability to access fatty membranes of cells that other antioxidants are not able to reach. Vitamin C is known to be able to work well with Vitamin E by combating oxidation of lipoprotein found in the blood. Less oxidation may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, which often leads to heart attacks.
Gingko biloba is known as a blood thinner and improves blood circulation. Better circulation can lead to less blood clots and formation of plaque.
Sources:
Antioxidants and Heart Disease: Curry and Other Spices On Fatty Foods
Antioxidants and Heart Disease: Triglycerides
Antioxidants and Heart Disease: Antioxidant Rich Vitamins and Herbs