Cloves were once considered one of the most valuable spices in the world. Cloves are the clove tree’s dried blossoms. Cloves originated in the Spice Islands near China and expanded throughout Europe and Asia as a significant feature of local cuisine throughout the late Middle Ages. Today, cloves are still a popular spice, adding a unique flavor to various meals.
Cloves can be ground or used whole. People use whole cloves in recipes and ground cloves in spice mixes to add depth and flavor to dishes. These little dark brown pods are used to flavor curries, season meats, and enrich sauces like Worcestershire sauce. They also have several health advantages.
Cloves Nutrition Facts
Cloves’ Health Benefits
Cloves are high in beta-carotene, which contributes to their rich brown color. The pigments in the carotene family are potent antioxidants and vitamins. Carotene pigments can be converted into vitamin A, essential for eye health.
Reduced Inflammation
Cloves include several chemicals with anti-inflammatory effects. The most important of these chemicals is eugenol. Eugenol has been demonstrated to lessen the inflammatory response in the body, which can help control symptoms and minimize the risk of diseases like arthritis.
Fewer Free Radicals
Eugenol is an antioxidant as well. Antioxidants abound in cloves, and these molecules aid in the battle against free radicals, which cause cell damage and disease. The antioxidants in cloves can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain malignancies by eliminating free radicals from your system.
Reduced Ulcers
Cloves can assist in preventing stomach ulcers. The weakening of the mucus layers that protect your stomach lining is the most common cause of ulcers. Cloves have been shown in preliminary research to thicken this mucus, lessening your chance of getting ulcers and aiding the healing of existing ulcers.
Improved Liver Function
Cloves may also help the liver operate better. Clove eugenol has been proven in several studies to help lessen the symptoms of liver cirrhosis and fatty liver disease, and it may also help with liver function in general.
High in Antioxidants
Cloves are high in antioxidants and contain several vital vitamins and minerals. Antioxidants are substances that minimize oxidative stress, which can lead to chronic disease development. Cloves also contain eugenol, a chemical that has been found to work as a natural antioxidant. In a test tube research, Eugenol was five times more effective than vitamin E at preventing oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Cloves and other antioxidant-rich foods can help you achieve better overall health.
May Help Protect Against Cancer
According to certain studies, the chemicals present in cloves may assist in preventing cancer. In a test tube investigation, clove extract was discovered to help inhibit tumor development and cause cell death in cancer cells. Another test-tube investigation found that concentrated quantities of clove oil killed 80 percent of esophageal cancer cells. Cloves contain eugenol, which has been demonstrated to have anticancer effects.
Eugenol enhanced cell death in cervical cancer cells in a test tube research. Keep in mind that the clove extract, clove oil, and eugenol employed in these test-tube investigations were quite concentrated. Eugenol is poisonous in high doses, and taking too much clove oil might harm the liver, especially in children. More research is needed to see how lower levels might harm humans.
Can kill Bacteria
Cloves have been demonstrated to have antibacterial qualities, which can help stop bacteria from growing. Clove essential oil was found to destroy three common types of bacteria in a test tube investigation, including E. coli, a germ that can cause food poisoning. Furthermore, cloves’ antimicrobial qualities may aid in promoting oral health. In a test tube investigation, the chemicals isolated from cloves were found to inhibit the growth of two types of bacteria that cause gum disease.
Another 40-person trial looked at the effects of a herbal mouthwash that included tea tree oil, cloves, and basil. They saw improvements in gum health and the amount of plaque and germs in their mouth after using the herbal mouthwash for 21 days. The antibacterial properties of cloves may assist your oral health when combined with frequent brushing and adequate oral hygiene.
May Improve Liver Health
Cloves’ beneficial components have been shown in studies to aid liver health. The chemical eugenol is thought to be particularly advantageous to the liver. In one experiment, rats were given fatty liver disease mixtures, including clove oil or eugenol. Both mixes enhanced liver function while lowering inflammation and oxidative stress. Another animal study discovered that the compound eugenol in cloves helped reverse the indications of liver cirrhosis or scarring. Unfortunately, human research on cloves and eugenol’s liver-protective properties is scarce.
However, a small study indicated that taking eugenol supplements for a week reduced glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), a family of detoxifying enzymes frequently used as a marker of liver illness. Cloves are also high in antioxidants, which may aid in the prevention of liver disease by reducing oxidative stress. Nonetheless, excessive doses of eugenol are hazardous. In one case study, 5–10 mL of clove oil caused significant liver damage in a 2-year-old boy.
May Help Regulate Blood Sugar
According to research, cloves include chemicals that may help keep blood sugar under control. Clove extract was discovered to help mice with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels in animal research. Another study looked at clove extract and nigericin, a chemical present in cloves, on human muscle cells and diabetic mice in test tubes and animals.
Cloves and nigericin were discovered to boost sugar uptake from the circulation into cells, increase insulin secretion, and improve the function of insulin-producing cells. Insulin is a hormone that transports sugar from the bloodstream to the cells, and insulin’s appropriate function is critical for maintaining stable blood sugar levels. When combined with a healthy diet, Cloves may help keep blood sugar levels in check.
How Many Cloves Should you Eat a Day?
Eat two cloves with warm water before sleeping to enhance immunity and achieve other health benefits. If you have shaky hands and feet, drink 1-2 cloves with lukewarm water before night. In a few days, you will reap the benefits. Cloves should be consumed regularly to treat colds, coughs, viral infections, bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, and other respiratory problems. Antioxidants abound in cloves, and these molecules aid in the battle against free radicals, which cause cell damage and disease.
The antioxidants in cloves can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain malignancies by eliminating free radicals from your system. Cloves have several possible health benefits, including lowering blood sugar and preventing microbial growth. They’re most beneficial when eaten as part of a healthy and balanced diet, as are many other healthful foods. Try including a few cloves into your meals once a week.
Can we Eat Cloves Every Day?
Cloves are high in flavonoids, manganese, and eugenol, all known to help with bone and joint health. Cloves aid in enhancing bone density when consumed. You can gain a lot of benefits by chewing two cloves every morning. Chewing cloves has several health benefits, including improving bone health. When we eat cloves first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, our digestive power increases. Immune system deterioration invites disease if we begin to eat cloves in our food.
As a result, we can boost our immunity. To be safe, limit your food intake, and clove oil is probably not safe to take by mouth by children. Even tiny doses of clove oil can cause seizures, liver damage, and fluid imbalances. Clove oil includes a molecule called eugenol, which has been shown to reduce blood coagulation.
Is Clove Water Safe to Drink?
Every morning, drink clove water to enhance your immune system and protect yourself from illnesses and flu. Clove water is high in vitamins and minerals that might help to improve your health and immunity. Manganese, vitamin K, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium are all abundant. Constipation, acidity, and diarrhea can be alleviated by eating cloves at night. Furthermore, the digestive system is in good working order. Cloves have antibacterial and antioxidant effects. Seizures, liver damage, and fluid imbalances are all possible side effects.
Clove is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in meal levels during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, there isn’t enough trustworthy information about the safety of ingesting cloves at therapeutic doses. Desserts, curries, and chutneys will benefit from their warm, unique flavor. To make a calming cup of clove tea, simmer whole cloves in boiling water for 5–10 minutes. Cloves are tasty and may provide a variety of health advantages.
Is Clove Beneficial to the Lungs?
Clove oil treats respiratory problems such as colds, bronchitis, cough, asthma, and other upper respiratory problems. Clove oil’s germicidal characteristics make it an excellent treatment for dental pain, toothaches, sore gums, and mouth ulcers. Because of its anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and antibacterial qualities, clove oil treats bronchitis, colds, sinusitis, and asthma. Cloves are a natural remedy for various respiratory disorders, including bronchitis.
Add a few drops of honey and a garlic clove to three to five drops of clove oil. Before retiring to bed, drink this concoction. Cloves: Cloves include many anti-inflammatory components that can help with sore throats, coughs, colds, and sinusitis. You can eat raw cloves, combine them with hot water and drink them in the morning.
Conclusion
Cloves are the flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, which is an evergreen. This versatile spice comes in whole and ground forms and can be used to season pot roasts, flavor hot beverages, and lend spicy warmth to cookies and pastries. Cloves are common in gingerbread-baked items and an essential spice in Indian cuisine. Cloves are most famous for being a sweet and aromatic spice, but they’ve also been employed in ancient medicine. Indeed, animal studies have discovered that the chemicals in cloves may have various health benefits, including supporting liver health and helping to balance blood sugar levels.
