Spices have been used for centuries to enhance food flavouring and to maintain health. Use of spices as a culinary ingredient is common amongst people of all ethnicities within South and East Asia. Spices are also one of the main sources of polyphenols in the Asian diet. Several in vitro studies and some in vivo studies, mainly in animals have shown that individual spices, including turmeric (containing curcumin), cinnamon (cinnimic acid), ginger, garlic etc. have been shown to improve glucose and lipid metabolism.However, well-controlled randomised trials, within the normal dietary context in humans are limited.