One of the 'world's healthiest herbs' is 60p staple that can stave off cancer

The cheap herb is a staple in many people's kitchens (Image: Getty)

A very popular herb that you may already have in your kitchen has been hailed as one of the world's most nutritious - as it's packed with goodness and tastes delicious too.

Scientists have determined the healthiest foods out there, from types of fruits and vegetables to meats, fish, nuts and seeds, and ranked them based on how good they are for you.

More than 1,000 foods were examined and a shortlist of 100 was shared by the BBC.

Each one was assigned a nutritional score, too - the higher the score, the more likely each food would meet, but not exceed, your daily nutritional needs when eaten in combination with others.

And one food on the list is 60p staple that's often associated with Italian cooking.

The versatile herb can promote heart health and even stave off types of cancer (Image: Getty)

The humble basil plant - a key ingredient in pasta sauces, salad dressings and marinades - could be the key to improving your health, the experts say.

It placed 26th on the list of 100 most nutritious foods. The spicy, sweet herb was traditionally used to protect the heart, but it's also thought to have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Even better, it costs as little as 60p from Asda - so it's affordable too and can be used in a vast array of different dishes.

The type of basil that we're probably all most familiar with is called sweet basil, renowned for its uses in Italian cooking and very widely grown.

Aside from promoting heart health, the experts at the Cleveland Clinic say that it's also a good source of vitamin K, which helps to strengthen bones and plays a 'big role' in your blood's ability to clot.

As well as this, several studies have shown that sweet basil essential oil has the potential to ward off certain cancers.

In one lab study, sweet basil stopped the growth of human colon cancer cells in test tubes. In another study, scientists found that leaf extracts from six different types of basil all had anticancer properties.

Basil is a great way to elevate your meals and boost your health too (Image: Getty)

Basil leaves are also rich in antioxidants, which are natural compounds that help to protect cells in the body.

According to the experts, they act as a shield against 'free radicals' - which our bodies produce in response to stress and inflammation. However, these can also come from other sources like cigarette smoke and UV radiaton.

But by eating antioxidant-rich foods, like basil, you can protect yourself against free radicals and they problems they might cause such as inflammatory issues and cardiovascular disease.

And interestingly, eating basil could also end up improving your mental health as well as your physical health.

Research shows that daily basil consumption can influence many aspects of your mental health. In four different human studies, another variety known as holy basil was shown to boost cognitive function, including short-term memory and attention.

It was also found to improve mood, as well as reduce stress and anxiety.