“Let food be thy medicine” said Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, around 400 BC. He was way ahead of his time: Plenty of research today shows that a diet rich in whole foods like fruits, vegetables, beans and nuts does a body good. And it’s time to add spices to that list, as more studies tout their healing properties, too.

To learn more, we talked to physician and chef Linda Shiue, M.D., cookbook author of Spicebox Kitchen: Eat Well and be Healthy with Globally Inspired, Vegetable-Forward Recipes.

Here are some of the super-healthy spices she highlights, and which we proudly use here at Hodo:

Photo Credits (Left to Right): Joe Green, Abhishek Hajare, and Valentin Balan on Unsplash

Turmeric 🟠

Turmeric contains curcumin, “the most potent naturally occurring anti-inflammatory substance,” according to Shiue. “It has been shown to be beneficial against arthritis, heart disease, [and] Alzheimer’s disease,” as well as some autoimmune diseases and cancers.

Get your turmeric fix with our Thai Curry Nuggets, or whip up one of our many recipes with turmeric.

Cumin 🌱

Ancient Greeks loved cumin so much they kept a container of it at the dining table. According to Shiue, it “aids digestion and is a good source of iron,” which supports healthy red blood cells, energy metabolism, and immune function.

Try our Moroccan Cubes and Thai Curry Nuggets, which both feature cumin—as does our recipe for Cajun 3-Bean Chili.

Coriander 🌿

A relative of parsley, coriander is packed with antioxidants and nutrients. The potent spice is “thought to help manage diabetes and cholesterol” says Shiue, and studies have shown it to be protective against infection, memory loss, and even skin aging. 

Delight in the flavor of coriander with our Harissa Cubes, which make a satisfying meal in Harissa Skillet Pot Pie.

Cayenne 🌶️ 

Turn up the heat for your health. Shiue says “chiles are thought to reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing cholesterol levels.” Research has shown chiles help control weight and blood pressure—and that eating spicy foods may even help you live longer.

Get your kick of cayenne with our Cajun Burger or Thai Curry Nuggets, or fix up a big pot of Vegan Jambalaya.

Garlic 🧄

A real powerhouse spice, “garlic’s sulfur compounds, including allicin, have been shown to lower cholesterol as well as blood pressure,” says Shiue. It’s also thought to be an antimicrobial, an anti-inflammatory, and have potential in fighting cancer.

Embrace garlic in our Veggie Burger, Thai Curry Nuggets, or Dr. Shiue’s Kung Pao Tofu recipe!

Watch 🎥 Hodo’s Founder Minh Tsai and Linda Shiue, M.D. talk more on the health benefits of tofu and spices.

For more ideas on how to (literally) spice up your life, check out all of our delicious recipes and Linda Shiue’s cookbook, Spicebox Kitchen!