In March 2020 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to assess the postprandial effect of a blend of spices in a high-saturated-fat, high-carbohydrate meal on inflammatory cytokine responses. A total of 12 non-smoking men, aged 40-65 years, who were overweight/obese with a BMI of between 25-35 kg/m2, a waist circumference of over 94 cm and had at least 1 risk factor for cardiovascular disease, were involved in the study which lasted for a 3-month period. The individuals received either (1) a high-saturated-fat, high-carbohydrate meal (approximately 1000 kcal, 33% kcal from saturated fat and 36% kcal from carbohydrate), (2) a high-saturated-fat, high-carbohydrate meal containing 2 g spice blend, or (3) a high-saturated-fat, high-carbohydrate meal containing 6 g spice blend and then rotated in turn to receive the remaining two study meals. The spice blend consisted of basil, bay leaf, black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, ginger, oregano, parsley, red pepper, rosemary, thyme, and turmeric. Blood was collected before, and hourly for 4 h after the high-saturated-fat, high-carbohydrate meal and inflammatory cytokines assessed. Results showed that there was a significant spice-by-time interaction regarding the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α. In fact the secretion of the inflammatory cytokine, IL-1β, was significantly reduced (1314%) 4 hours following the consumption of a high-saturated-fat, high-carbohydrate meal containing 6 g spice blend, when compared with the 2 g or 0 g spice blend. The researchers therefore concluded that adding 6 g spice blend to a high-saturated-fat, high-carbohydrate meal reduced the postprandial effect of the meal regarding the secretion of the inflammatory cytokine, IL-1β, in overweight/obese men.
Oh ES et al. Spices in a High-Saturated-Fat, High-Carbohydrate Meal Reduce Postprandial Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion in Men With Overweight or Obesity: A 3-Period, Crossover, Randomized Controlled Trial. J Nutr. 2020 Mar 25;nxaa063. [Epub ahead of print]