Za'atar is a spice blend that is common in Middle Eastern cuisine. It typically includes herbs such as thyme, oregano, and marjoram, as well as spices like sumac and toasted sesame seeds. Za'atar can be used in a variety of ways, including as a rub for meat or poultry, sprinkled on top of salads or vegetables, or mixed into dips.
Sumac, thyme, and oregano, the herbs that make up Za'atar, are all full of flavonoids, which are organic compounds that are important sources of antioxidants that can protect cells from damage.
Zaatar has a number of outstanding health benefits, like being able to boost the immune system, improve skin health, build strong bones, improve circulation, clear out the airways, ease inflammation, give you more energy, improve your mood, help you remember things, and treat chronic diseases.
Many people consider Zaatar as a medicine because it has been used to treat grippe, eczema, period cramps, colds, nerves, stomachaches, and a lot more. History and tradition are there to support it. The idea that za'atar is a healthy food goes back a long time as well. It is said that the great Spanish-Jewish philosopher Maimonides gave it to his patients in the 12th century to improve their health and treat a wide range of illnesses. Al Kindi was an Arab scientist and philosopher who lived from 800 to 870. He used thyme in a medicine called St. Anthony's Fire to treat bacterial infections or rashes (erysipelas). Al-Razi, an Islamic doctor who lived from 865 to 925, thought that rhyme made people hungrier, cleaned their stomachs, and helped with flatulence.
Table of Contents
- Nutritional Value of Zaatar:
- How to eat Zaatar?
- Health benefits of Zaatar:
Nutritional Value of Zaatar:
The common mix of za'atar has vitamins A, C, E, and K in it. Sumac is a dried berry that tastes like lemon and is full of flavonoids, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids. It is also a very powerful antioxidant. Sesame seeds are thought to be one of the healthiest foods because they are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and nutrients that are good for your health. Sesame seeds are a great way to get minerals like copper, magnesium, iron, calcium, and zinc. Sesame seeds are full of high-quality protein and have a lot of fibre. They are also a good source of flavonoid phenolic antioxidants and omega-6 fatty acids.
It is often used as medicine to treat coughs and other things. New research on Za'atar proves the following: It has vitamins A, C, E, and K and has been shown to have a lot of healthy antioxidants, antiseptic properties, and anti-fungal agents. Za'atar has been shown to help people with bronchitis stop coughing fits, and dried sumac, which is one of the main ingredients, has been shown to lower blood pressure and help people with type 2 diabetes.
How to eat Zaatar?
The spice mix can be used in different ways. It is often used to make salad dressings and season vegetables and meat. Depending on the exact combination, the taste is usually described as sour, bitter, or toasty. It can be found in bread and olive oil, as well as in dips for vegetables. The spicy mix of seeds is great for your overall health because it has flavonoids, minerals, and other important nutrients all in one place.
Health benefits of Zaatar:
Za'atar is good for your health. It is a mix of different spices, and each one has its own healing properties. This makes the mix a healthy addition to your meals. Let's take a closer look at the benefits below.
Packed with antioxidants
Sumac is a big part of za'atar, and the amount of quercetin in it is good for you. It protects the body from free radicals, which can cause a wide range of health problems, by acting as an antioxidant.
Rich in iron
Zaatarhigh iron content helps improve the flow of oxygenated blood all over your body. Za'atarhas about 11% iron per tablespoon, which is 10 grams. Hemoglobin, which carries white blood cells all over the body, can't work without iron.
Helps clear the airways.
Thyme can help make you cough less, especially when it's made into tea. Thyme is a great herb for cleaning the airways, which can cause the body to cough up mucus and phlegm. When you have a coughing illness, this potent spice mix is a great thing to put in your food.
Enhances memory
People have strong ideas about how za'atar affects the brain. These ideas could be a reason why it might help people remember things. People who slept with za'atar on their pillows did so because they thought that the high mineral content could make the brain work better and increase neural activity. But there isn't a lot of scientific evidence to back up this claim, so more research is needed.
Adds glow to skin
The anti-inflammatory properties of this spice mix are great for making the skin look better, speeding up the healing of wounds, and even reducing the look of blemishes, age spots, and other skin flaws because za'atar has a lot of antioxidants.
Alleviates swelling
It can be made into a paste or salve that can be used to treat bug bites or joint pain by putting it on the affected area. Minerals are the only thing these Za'atar all have in common. A study published in the Journal of Saudi Chemical Society found that the high amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium, and copper in za'atar have important effects on bone mineral density. When you eat the spice, it could have similar anti-inflammatory effects, especially if you have gout, arthritis, or any other condition that causes inflammation and affects your lungs or stomach. But more proof is needed to show that the benefits are real.
Boosts immune system
Some of the organic compounds in za'atar, which comes from herbs like thyme and oregano, have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. This makes the spice mix a powerhouse for boosting your immune system.
Helps in depression
Research and evidence from the past show that za'atar makes people happier and less depressed. The phenol in oregano and thyme may have an immediate effect on mood by changing the hormones that are released and control how the body works all over. Carvacrol is linked directly to more energy and better brain function.
