I use many spices to add flavor without salt or added fat.  I often season meat or fish with tumeric, because I like the taste.

Wikipedia suggests some potential health benefits of tumeric (and cumin):

Turmeric is currently being investigated for possible benefits in Alzheimer’s disease,[6] cancer, arthritis, and other clinical disorders.[7]

In the latter half of the 20th century, curcumin was identified as responsible for most of the biological effects of turmeric. According to a 2005 article in the Wall Street Journal, research activity into curcumin and turmeric is increasing, with supplement sales increased 35% from 2004. The U.S. National Institutes of Health currently has registered 19 clinical trials underway to study use of dietary turmeric and curcumin for a variety of clinical disorders (dated February 2010).[8]