Start flavoring your food with some simple herbs and spices. Without adding any calorie, it will upgrade your food. It will add to your tastes and improve the nutrient density. You will have the feeling of fullness with lesser intakes.

Have you tried tomato soup with red pepper, as an appetizer? You will realize that your food intake is reduced by almost 15 percent. Spices help you reduce your salt intake which means lesser water retention in your body system.

Think of adding spices and herbs in your diets and enjoy the improvements in your health. Find the advantages of following spices and herbs, for specific health concerns:

• Rosemary and basil has anti-inflammatory power
• Cumin and sage can help in fighting against dementia.
• Cayenne and cinnamon has inbuilt power to fight obesity.
• Coriander and cinnamon for their sugar regulating powers
• Lemon grass, nutmeg, bay leaves and saffron for their calming effects on your mood
• Turmeric for its cancer fighting power
• Oregano for its fungus-beating power
• Garlic, mustard seed and chicory for their heart-pumping power
• Basil and thyme for their skin-saving power
• Turmeric, basil, cinnamon, thyme, saffron, and ginger for their immune-boosting power
• Coriander, rosemary, cayenne, allspice and black pepper for their depression-busting power

Inputs from an article by Dr Eric Braverman, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-eric-braverman/new-year-younger-you-20-a_b_152599.html