"The spice turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory," Dr. Schneider says. "It contains curcumin which lowers inflammation—a major cause of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries." A 2009 study found that curcumin helps reduce the fatty deposits in arteries by as much as 26 percent. Sounds like a good reason to try some in this delicious recipe for spicy chicken soup from pop star Rihanna.

Did you know that spices are one of the "BEACH foods" in The Bikini Body Diet? Learn more about the bikini body program here!