Herbs and spices have been used for centuries to flavor food and improve health. Modern research confirms that they are powerful natural health boosters, helping to protect us from a wide range of serious conditions, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, dementia, and depression.[1]
That’s why new testing from Consumer Reports is so disturbing. It shows that some commercial herbs and spices may actually damage your health.
The magazine tested 126 herbs and spices from popular stores like Walmart and Trader Joe’s. It found that 40 had high levels of the heavy metals arsenic, lead, and cadmium.
Frequent exposure to even small amounts of these metals is dangerous. This is because it’s hard for our bodies to break them down. So they accumulate in our tissue. Arsenic, lead, and cadmium are linked to high blood pressure, kidney disorders, nervous system problems, and poor immune system function. In children, they can affect brain development, lowering IQs.[2]
How Do Heavy Metals Get into Herbs and Spices?
Dr. James E. Rogers led the testing. “When people think about heavy metals in their diet, it’s probably lead in their drinking water or arsenic in children’s fruit juices or cereals,” he said. “But our tests show that dried herbs and spices can be a surprising, and worrisome, source.”[3]
The Consumer Reports test ranked products from least to most concern. Here are herb and spice brands that ranked as moderate or high concern:
Almost all brands of basil, ginger, oregano, and thyme were found to have problematic metal levels. The exception was basil and ginger from the brand Simply Organic.[4]
Other types of herbs and spices had almost no problematic readings at all. They include:
For a full list of the test results, go HERE.
Herbs and spices get contaminated with heavy metals in different ways, Dr. Rogers said. Plants can suck up lead in the soil and groundwater where they are grown. Metals can also leach into herbs and spices during factory processing. In some cases outside the U.S., processors have actually been known to add lead to boost color to make spices look fresher and more appetizing.[5]
4 Ways to Protect Yourself and Your Family
The risk of heavy metals is real, but it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a life of bland food. Following the guidelines above allows you to minimize your risk without sacrificing flavor or the health benefits of herbs and spices.
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[2] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.643972/full
[3] https://www.consumerreports.org/food-safety/your-herbs-and-spices-might-contain-arsenic-cadmium-and-lead/
[4] https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/food-drink/a38413337/heavy-metals-found-in-herbs-spices/
[5] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190924101446.htm
[6] https://www.thespruceeats.com/harvesting-and-drying-leafy-herbs-1327541
This content was originally published here.
