As hot August turns into cooler September, hauling out my crockpot also means sliding open the spice drawer. I don't know about you, but I simply use more spices in the fall and winter.

Nutrition research backs the health benefits of a variety of spices. Pinch, dash and teaspoonful your way to flavorful health with the following power spices:

• One tsp cinnamon wields the antioxidant punch of a full cup of pomegranate juice or a half-cup of blueberries. A cheap way to get your polyphenols, cinnamon can help regulate blood sugar and fight inflammation.
• Potential metabolism boosters and appetite suppressors include cayenne pepper, chili powder and paprika. Cayenne works for me -- it fries my mouth so I can't go back for seconds.
• New research on ginger is examining its anti-inflammatory properties -- similar to aspirin or my sore muscle best friend, ibuprofen.
• Oregano is the antioxidant powerhouse of dried herbs, capable of fighting bacterial growth and possibly the bacteria associated with ulcers.

Read more to discover the health benefits of yellow curry, curcumin and red peppers, too.

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