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Soothe Yourself with This Pizza Topper

Rating: 4 out of 5
For a little bit of cell-soothing nutrition, add an extra sprinkle of these zingy flakes to your slice: oregano.

That’s right -- oregano doesn’t just add pizzazz to your pizza sauce. It may have the power to prevent tissue-damaging inflammation, too.

It’s Essential
The essential oils in oregano are rife with a substance called (E)-beta-caryophyllene -- or (E)-BCP for short. These compounds bind to certain cell receptors in a way that could mean less inflammation, according to mouse studies. Good news, since inflammation has been fingered in a bunch of bad health outcomes, from heart disease to cancer. Researchers suspect (E)-BCP may have a similar inflammation-fighting benefit in humans.

A Little Dash Will Do Ya?
It’s not clear how much (E)-BCP is in oregano, but surprisingly, the lowest dose of the compound was often the most effective in a recent study. Black pepper, rosemary, and cinnamon all have the compound, too. When your spice shakers are on E, try these other inflammation-fighting foods, too: Recipe Corner
Toss the boring pepperoni and cheese standby and impress your guests with this extra-healthy, extra-oregano-y Caramelized Onion and White Bean Flatbread.

Video: Find out how to grind and toast your own medicine cabinet of spices.
RealAge Benefit: Eating foods from a variety of sources can make your RealAge 1 year younger.

References Published on 08/18/2008.
Beta-caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid. Gertsch, J. et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2008 Jul 1;105(26):9099-9104.

EDITOR'S PICK
Gourmet Herb Seed Kit


Two ways to get the most flavor from your herbs and spices:

  • Love fresh-from-your-garden herbs in the summer? Grow your own year-round with this indoor garden.
  • Dried spices are best when freshly ground.                     Make your own blends and rubs with this                     handy grinder.

Got a favorite product or invention of your own? Tell us: Products@RealAge.com

 
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Tips from the RealAge Community MemberTipsIcon
What’s your favorite healthful pizza topping?
Sort by:
Ringo1
18 of 20 people found this helpful.
8/22/2008 7:31:41 AM

adding baking soda to dried beans destroyes b vitamines
curlygirl37
9 of 13 people found this helpful.
8/21/2008 8:40:09 AM

Smoked Salmon on Pizza is great with a white or red sauce, fresh basil, white cheese like gorgonzola or extra sharp cheddar, portabella mus [Show More]
MillieB
108 of 111 people found this helpful.
8/18/2008 12:21:17 PM

Be sure to keep tooth brush bristles free from germs, dip or soak
overnight in a vessle of peroxide, esp. if you have a cold or sore
throat
[Show More]
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