Can we live better, healthier lives, and in some cases, maybe even extend our lives by enjoying the medicinal properties of Persian spices in foods?  Maybe!  

 

Join the Beats as they explore the depths of knowledge in an insightful chat with Dr. Mahtab Jafari and explore  Persian spices highlighted for medicinal health benefits include saffron, turmeric, cinnamon and rose.  Dr. Mahtab is a doctor, a professor, a research scientist, an author, and a director… and so much more.  She currently teaches Life 101 in the School of Pharmacy at UCI (see complete bio here in the reference section of the show notes).

 

Dr. Jafari does research in a lab studying fruit flies.

Fun factoid:  we share 75% of our disease genes with fruit flies!

 

Philosophies - as long as there are no inherent dietary deficiencies, you can get what you need in terms of vitamins and minerals from proper nutrition in fresh, healthy food sources!

 

The spices, herbs and fresh produce, beans, and legumes used in Persian foods provide great health benefits.

 

• Saffron - from the stigmas crocus statimus, in the crocus family

• Fun Factoid:  Need 4,500 flowers to make one ounce of saffron!
• Medicinal properties include possible anti-cancer properties (preliminary studios done in vitro)
• Antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties and positive impact on mood - studies done in Iran, showing that saffron can work as well as drugs such as prozac, and similar drugs
• Saffron has 150 compounds in it including antioxidants and vitamins
• No conclusive evidence, however the studies are promising

• Turmeric - curcumin

• Testing on fruit flies
• Medicinal properties - anti cancer and anti inflammatory
• Challenge - right dose and high standard properties
• Fresh turmeric root is preferable for medicinal properties
• No conclusive evidence, however the studies are promising

• Cinnamon

• Currently testing on fruit flies - improving health span and increasing life span
• Cinnamon has thermogenic properties - can help keep us warm!
• The data is not conclusive on claims that cinnamon aids with weight loss

• Rose

• Studying on fruit flies - increases life span, potentially from the scent of rose!
• Medicinal properties - the scent of rose oil can improve mood and decrease signs of anxiety and depression
• Conclusion:  stop and smell the roses!

 

References:

Dr. Mahtab Jafari

• Doctor of Pharmacy with residency at clinical pharmacy from UCSF
• Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UCI
• Botanical Sciences. The focus of her research lab at UCI is on the impact of botanicals and dietary supplements on lifespan and healthspan
• Author - newly published award winning book, “The Truth about Dietary Supplements: An Evidence Based Guide to a Safe Medicine Cabinet”.
• • Book has received 3 awards: Firebird Award, Royal Dragon, and a runner up at Southern California Book Festival
• Director of UCI’s Center for Healthspan Sciences

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines a spice as an “aromatic vegetable substance, in the whole, broken, or ground form,” whose significant function in food is “seasoning rather than nutrition” and from which “no portion of any volatile oil or other flavoring principle has been removed” (Food and Drug Administration 2007:205-208).

 

 

All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes

Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food!

Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes

Bita’s recipe for Tahcheen

Bita’s recipe for Adas Polo

Bita’s recipe for Loobia Polo

Bita’s recipe for Yazdi Cakes

 

Beata’s Recipe Links:

Persian Jeweled Tahchin – BeatsEats

Giti Joon's Famous Tacheen Recipe – BeatsEats

Lubia Polo for the Persian New Year Sezdeh be Dar Picnic

 

Podcast production by Alvarez Audio