3 minute read
SUPER FOOD
By Christian Dischler Vanilla Vanilla
One of the most popular flavors and fragrances in the world, vanilla has been putting smiles on faces for centuries. Whether it’s flavoring your favorite ice cream or wafting through the house from a novelty candle; its deliciousness cannot be overstated. But something that often gets overlooked is vanilla’s health benefits. How does something so popular, versatile and unmistakably its own ingredient stack up in the world of super foods? Vanilla is a spice that’s harvested from long, flat pods produced by a specific orchid. It’s comprised of over 200 compounds, and is considered one of the world’s top 3 most expensive spices. The most important compound, and the one we’ll be looking into, is vanillin. Vanillin gives vanilla its recognizable flavor and scent, but it also helps our bodies against inflammation, cancer and offers us antioxidant properties. While inflammatory responses are normal in the human body, chronic inflammation is a dangerous condition in which our bodies overcompensate a response, and do more harm than good. Thankfully, recent studies have
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shown promising result in the effects vanillin has as an anti-inflammatory. It has been linked to inhibit nitric oxide, reducing the effects of inflammation, and giving us even more reason to load up on vanilla this holiday season.
Recent studies have also shown vanillin to have an impact on cancerous cells. It’s been linked to helping mediate certain damage to our DNA, and provide us antimutagenic support. What this means is that on a molecular and cellular level, vanillin is acting as a sort of inhibitor to a certain set of carcinogens that would otherwise wreak havoc on our systems. Ranging from reducing metastatic spread, to inhibiting excessive apoptosis, vanillin may help give us the best fighting chance.
And of course, would it even be a super food if it wasn’t loaded with antioxidants? Vanillin is a phenolic plant compound, and pairs with vanillic acid to provide a one-two punch of antioxidants in this world-renowned sugar substitute, protecting against cell damage.
As if you needed anymore excuses to start using vanilla and vanilla extract more, now you know it might be your little helper this holiday season in more ways than one. Use it in cakes, pies, custards, and even savory items to give them a subtle balance of sweetness and depth. Stock up on some vanilla scented candles or essential oils, and surround yourself with vanilla. Because if its popularity is any indication, you can never get enough! Vanilla is a spice that’s harvested from long, flat pods produced by a specific orchid.
MA GAZINE
executive publishers Hal G. Fox & Suzanne Polk Fox
managing editor Suzanne Polk Fox
copy editor Christian Dischler
contributing writers Quentin Arthur Feltman Brothers Patricia Danflous Christian Dischler John Dunnery Chandler Forrest Trinity Edwards Nellie Palmer Rick Porter Peter Swift J. L. Thompson Summer Tularosa Bridget Weber design Suzanne Polk Fox Claire Thomas
The information contained in Inspire Health is intended for educational purposes only. A reader should never substitute information contained in Inspire Health for the advice of a health care professional. Jumpstart Publishing, LLC and publishers of Inspire Health, do not endorse or promote any of the products or services described in the pages of Inspire Health and the publishers do not verify the accuracy of any claims made in the editorial or advertisements contained in Inspire Health. Readers should not use the information in Inspire Health for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. Readers should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or have or suspect they have a health problem.
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