Do spices and herbs used to season our foods promote good health? Would increased use of these seasonings lead to even greater health benefits? These are intriguing questions and scientific information on the ability of everyday herbs and spices to enhance the healthfulness of our diet is accumulating rapidly.

Scientific studies supported by the McCormick Science Institute (MSI) and other organizations have already shown that spices and herbs can have beneficial physiological effects; and that use of these flavorful ingredients has the potential to improve public health by increasing the acceptability and/or consumption of healthier foods by consumers.

At the McCormick Science Institute, we are dedicated to advancing scientific understanding of the fundamental properties of culinary spices and herbs that show the potential to improve public health. We support research at leading academic and governmental institutions around the world to expand knowledge of how the human body may utilize the phytonutrients in herbs and spices to promote health. All of the published studies funded by MSI are available at this site.

MSI seeks to facilitate access to scientific findings for all stakeholders including scientists, health professionals, consumers and the food industry by disseminating information through this website and other channels, sponsoring seminars and forming partnerships with leading professional organizations. Through this work, we hope to realize the full potential of spices and herbs to improve health.

I hope you find this website to be a valuable resource. I encourage you to visit regularly to keep abreast of the many new developments in this exciting field.

Sincerely,
Hamed Faridi, Ph.D.
Executive Director
McCormick Science Institute