What Are Cloves?
Dried clove tree flowers are used to make the aromatic spice known as cloves. Cloves were one of the spices that were once valued at their weight in gold. Cloves originated in the Spice Islands, which are close to China. In the late Middle Ages, cloves became widely used in local cuisine and spread throughout Europe and Asia. Cloves are still a common spice today, adding a subtle sweetness and warmth to many dishes.
Cloves are also a great source of:
- Eugenol
- Vitamin K
- Potassium
- Beta-carotene
Nutrients per serving
One teaspoon of cloves has:
- Calories: 6
- Fat: Less than 1 gram
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: Less than 1 gram
- Sugar: Less than 1 gram
- Carbohydrates: 1 gram
They're an excellent source of beta-carotene, which contributes to the deep brown hue of cloves. A family of pigments called carotenes serves as a significant provitamin and antioxidant. Carotene pigments have the ability to convert into vitamin A, which is necessary for maintaining the health of your eyes.
Health Benefits of Cloves
Oral Health
Since clove oil reduces plaque, gingivitis, and oral bacteria, researchers are looking into it as a natural way to keep teeth healthy.
Researchers evaluated the potency of a commercially available essential oil mouth rinse against a herbal mouthwash infused with clove, basil, and tea tree oil.
The effectiveness of both mouth rinses against plaque and gingivitis suggests that they may have a role in reducing oral bacteria and inflammation. Additionally, the researchers discovered that the clove-containing mouthwash reduced the quantity of dangerous bacteria more than the store-bought version.
Diabetes
According to a study conducted on mice, nigericin, a component of clove extract, and clove extract itself decreased insulin resistance in mouse muscle cells.
Nitric acid supplementation resulted in less insulin resistance, and improved glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, and beta cell function in diabetic mice.
An additional study involving animals a rat model of diabetes, examined the impact of clove bud powder on laboratory markers. Researchers discovered that the rats in the clove powder-treated group had lower blood sugar levels than the rats in the control group.
Obesity
Obesity Researchers have also looked into cloves' possible impact on obesity. Researchers discovered that clove extract decreased the incidence of obesity brought on by a high-fat diet in a study using mice
Compared to mice in the control group, mice given clove extract had reduced body weight, liver fat, and abdominal fat.
Cancer
Antioxidants, which are substances that help lessen cell damage that may result in cancer, are abundant in many herbs and spices. A mere 1/2 teaspoon of ground clove is said to have more antioxidants than 1/2 cup of blueberries, according to Today's Dietitian.
Researchers discovered that clove extract could inhibit the growth of several kinds of human cancer cells in a lab experiment. Additionally, colon cancer cells' cell death was enhanced by clove extract.
The impact of clove extract on the growth of tumours in mice was also examined in the same study. When compared to the mice in the control group, the mice treated with clove extract had noticeably smaller tumours.
Researchers examined the impact of various forms of clove extract on human breast cancer cells in a different study. They discovered that breast cancer cells were poisoned by both clove essential oil and clove ethanol extract.
The authors noted that because cloves can stop cell division and induce cell death, they may play a positive role in cancer treatment in the future.
Uses of Cloves
Cloves are dried flowers, you can find them year-round in health food stores, grocery stores, and spice shops.
Since ground cloves quickly lose their potency, it's best to purchase whole cloves and store them in an airtight container. If you need ground cloves, you can grind them just before using them in a mortar and pestle or pepper mill.
Cloves give your diet an extra healthy boost. Here are a few uses for this tasty spice:
- Cloves can be used to season meats in rubs.
- Add cloves to curries.
- For chai lattes, add cloves.
- Relief for Sore Throats and Coughs
- Aromatherapy
Among the many possible health advantages of cloves are their ability to regulate blood sugar and inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Like many other healthful foods, they work best when incorporated into a diet that is both balanced and healthful. Consider including a few servings of cloves in your meals each week.
Ground cloves are a simple addition to a lot of recipes. They will give chutneys, curries, and desserts a hearty, unique flavour.
For a calming cup of clove tea, you can also simmer whole cloves in boiling water for five to ten minutes. In addition to being delicious, cloves may offer numerous health advantages.
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