Medicinal Properties of Persian Spices with Dr. Mahtab Jafari

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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!  </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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).</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr. Jafari does research in a lab studying fruit flies.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fun factoid:  we share 75% of our disease genes with fruit flies!</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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!</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The spices, herbs and fresh produce, beans, and legumes used in Persian foods provide great health benefits.</span></p> <p> </p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Saffron - from the stigmas crocus statimus, in the crocus family</span></li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Fun Factoid:  Need 4,500 flowers to make one ounce of saffron!</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Medicinal properties include possible anti-cancer properties (preliminary studios done in vitro)</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties and positive impact on mood - studies done in Iran, showing that sa