10 Health Benefits of Cloves

Health benefits of cloves. Like garlic, cloves have been used in natural medicine for centuries and even today they’re used to treat everything from stomach bugs to canker sores to sore throats. But if you’re like most people, you probably don’t eat them on a regular basis (even though they’re delicious.

In this blog post, we’ll cover five health benefits of eating cloves that you may not know about and show you how to use them to make your favorite dishes healthier and tastier.

Most people cook with cloves, but many don’t know the health benefits of eating cloves and incorporating them into their daily diet.

Cloves are typically used in cooking to add flavor, but they have other health benefits that you might not know about. If you’re looking to incorporate these pungent buds into your diet, here are five health benefits of eating cloves you didn’t know about.

When it comes to flavor, cloves are one of the most useful seasonings out there from adding it to savory dishes like meat and stews, to including them in your favorite treats like cookies and cakes, cloves make everything taste better.

But that’s not all they’re good for! Cloves also have numerous health benefits that you should take advantage of if you want to stay healthy and fit into your favorite pair of jeans! If you need some convincing on why you should add more cloves to your diet, read on for 4 health benefits of eating cloves (plus how to add them to your diet).

Like garlic, cloves have been used in natural medicine for centuries and even today they’re used to treat everything from stomach bugs to canker sores to sore throats. But if you’re like most people, you probably don’t eat them on a regular basis (even though they’re delicious). In this blog post, we’ll cover five health benefits of eating cloves that you may not know about and show you how to use them to make your favorite dishes healthier and tastier.

1) Rich in Antioxidants

One of the most beneficial compounds found in cloves is eugenol, a phenolic compound with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are thought to combat oxidation damage that occurs naturally as part of aging; antioxidants may also support healthy brain function.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4285960/

While scientists are still trying to identify exactly how antioxidants impact health, many people use them as part of their anti-aging skin care routine. The good news is that you don’t have to spend hundreds on fancy creams and lotions eating cloves will give your body a boost too!

2) Improves Immune System

While cloves are traditionally used for stomach ailments and to kill off tooth pain, they’re also known to help boost immune system function and fight off bacteria in our bodies. In a study conducted at Temple University School of Medicine, allicin, the active ingredient in cloves was shown to help kill off Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), a pathogen that causes fatal lung infections and is one of the hardest bacteria to treat.

Along with boosting immune system health, recent research has shown that consumption of garlic helps lower blood pressure. To top it all off, clove oil may be useful as an anti-microbial agent against several different strains of staphylococcus infection.

3) Good for diabetes control

Research shows that cloves can help lower blood sugar, which means they may be a great natural remedy for people who suffer from diabetes. This effect is due to compounds called eugenol and methyl eugenol, both of which slow down stomach emptying and speed up insulin activity.

These compounds also lower triglycerides in diabetics and have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression as well. Eugenol can also help with weight loss when it’s used topically on your skin or taken internally one study found that those who applied clove oil twice daily for 8 weeks lost about 5 pounds!

4) Keeps bad breath at bay

Did you know that black pepper the most popular variety is actually made from dried flower buds? The problem is, fresh peppercorns lose some flavor in transit, so it’s always best to buy them whole. Either way, eating or chewing on a clove can help to battle halitosis by killing off bacteria in your mouth and freshening breath quickly.

https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171321/nutrients

In addition to making bad breath go away, you also might find that these tasty buds reduce acid reflux and help ward off headaches. So don’t be afraid to add cloves as a special ingredient in your next meal, they could be just what you need to fight some pesky health issues!

5) Protects against cancer

Those who often use garlic, either by ingesting it or rubbing it on their skin as a mosquito repellent, have been found to have an array of health benefits. Among them is a lower risk for certain cancers. One study showed that eating just one clove per day can reduce a person’s risk for colorectal cancer by 40%.

Another study found that garlic can help slow skin cell growth which means it could reduce your chances of developing skin cancer. Yet another study found that those who eat more garlic are at lower risk for both stomach and lung cancers than those who do not regularly eat garlic.

6) Flavonoids

Aside from their pleasant flavor, cloves are notable for being rich in natural plant compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants, which means they have potent anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. In fact, several studies suggest that flavonoids may be helpful in reducing cancer risk.

While more research is needed on exactly how much clove is appropriate for health benefits and preventing disease, it’s believed that 1 gram per day less than a teaspoon, could make a difference. As an antioxidant powerhouse and potential cancer fighter, one easy way to add more cloves into your diet is by using them in your cooking or baking as a substitute for cinnamon.

7) Antioxidants

It’s true that garlic is packed with antioxidants. Aged garlic extract was found to have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, in addition to its antibacterial and antiviral properties. Cloves are full of essential oils that provide powerful anti-inflammatory benefits and reduce inflammation throughout your body.

1. These essential oils can help boost heart health by reducing blood pressure and improving circulation, both major risk factors for heart disease.

2. The blood thinning effect may also be helpful for those who struggle with hypertension or arthritis.

3. Antioxidants in cloves also help prevent cell damage that leads to cancer and other diseases like Alzheimer’s, making it a potential brain booster as well.

8) Improved Brain Function

A study published in a 2002 issue of Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that cloves and garlic oil were effective at killing bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica. Not only does that mean cloves help protect against food poisoning, it also means they can boost brain function. According to another study in Neurochemistry International, clove consumption enhances mental capacity by stimulating neural growth. Researchers found that injecting rats with eugenol.

The main component of clove increased their brain’s cell production significantly after just two weeks.

Cloves can help protect your stomach from stomach ulcers. Most stomach ulcers are caused by thinning in the layers of mucus that protect your stomach lining. Preliminary research shows that cloves can thicken this mucus, lowering your risk of developing ulcers and helping existing ulcers heal.

9) Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The health benefits of cloves come from their active ingredient, eugenol, which has been shown to have a number of potent anti-inflammatory properties. When applied topically, eugenol acts as an effective painkiller and can help relieve joint and muscle aches.

Eugenol is also a natural blood thinner, helping reduce bleeding from wounds and stop cuts from bruising. Scientists are looking into using eugenol as a possible treatment for heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

Cloves can help protect your stomach from stomach ulcers. Most stomach ulcers are caused by thinning in the layers of mucus that protect your stomach lining. Preliminary research shows that cloves can thicken this mucus, lowering your risk of developing ulcers and helping existing ulcers heal.

How to Use Cloves

Cloves are dried flowers or leaves, so they can be found all year long in spice shops, grocery stores, and health food stores worldwide.

Cloves come in both whole and ground forms. However, their performance quickly fades once they’ve been ground. In order to keep their flavor strong, you have to purchase whole cloves and keep them in airtight containers until you want to use them. In order to get ground cloves, you can grind them with a pepper mill so they remain as fresh as possible.

You can equally make clove tea if you’re interested in getting a stronger dose of cloves:

Grind a tablespoon of whole cloves.
Steep the powder in boiling water for three or four minutes.
Strain the spice out and you’ll be left with a rich spicy tea that’s good for winter months.
Cloves are a soothing, healthy addition to your diet. Here are some other ways to use this flavorful spice:

Add ground cloves to pumpkin pie
Add cloves to chai lattes
Use whole cloves in a pickling mix for spicy pickles
add cloves as an essential spice in curry
Make mulled wine with a heavy sprinkle of cloves
Use cloves in rubs to season meats