In today’s episode we’re uncovering the medicines hiding in your kitchen. Molecular biologist Kanchan Koya joins Jonathan and Sarah to explore the incredible health benefits of spices. From controlling blood sugar to soothing a sore throat, we’ll discover what the latest research says about household favorites including ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Kanchan Koya is a food scientist, founder of the spice-centric food blog Chief Spice Mama and author of the cookbook ‘100 Recipes with Healing Spices for Your Family Table’. She will show us how to get the most out of spices, with simple cooking tips and delicious recipes. Want to make Kanchan’s show stopper spice dish? Find the recipe here.🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune systemLearn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% offFollow ZOE on Instagram.Timecodes:00:00 Introduction01:26 Quickfire questions03:08 What are spices?03:43 Polyphenols in spices07:25 Spices and your health11:01 Cinnamon and blood sugar control14:49 Anti-inflammatory benefits of spices21:08 A practical guide to using spices31:40 Reviving old spices33:11 The wonders of ginger: from morning sickness to gut health35:56 Spiced cooking tips37:41 Breakfast ideas: add spices to start your day39:44 Simple spicy snacks42:05 Dinner delights: spicing up main meals44:11 Spices for kids46:24 Spiced drinks: from chai to golden milk48:24 The ultimate spice dishStudies related to today’s episode: Safety and efficacy of curcumin versus diclofenac in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized open-label parallel-arm study published in Trials Analgesic effect of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of clove, published in Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine Effect of cinnamon spice on continuously monitored glycemic response in adults with prediabetes published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Star anise (Illicium verum): Chemical compounds, antiviral properties, and clinical relevance published in Phytotherapy Research Ginger-Mechanism of action in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, published by Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know hereEpisode transcripts are available here.