Cloves are the flower of the clove tree, an evergreen known as ‘Syzygium Aromaticum’. They are a staple of Indian cuisine and have for millennia been sought after for their aroma and their many health benefits. In ancient times, a rich trade existed between the South Indian kingdoms and the Roman Empire. Cloves were part of the traded goods and fetched their weight in gold from the West. It wouldn’t be entirely unfair to say that European colonization of India and most of South-east Asia was a direct result of the Europeans’ desire to control the spice trade. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the Health Benefits of Cloves, a super-spice rich in antioxidants and other medicinal properties.
1. High in Manganese
Manganese is one of the trace minerals required by the body for its normal functioning. Manganese is beneficial to brain and bone health. One teaspoon or 2 grams of crushed cloves contains 55% of the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) of manganese. This makes it quite an important source of the mineral.
2. Cloves are high in antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that help alleviate oxidative stress, which is responsible for the development of chronic diseases. One of the compounds found in cloves, known as eugenol, is said to combat oxidative stress five times more effectively than Vitamin E. Consequently, doctors recommend including cloves in your meals, along with other antioxidant-rich foods, to significantly improve your health.
3. Health Benefits of Cloves in Fighting Cancer Cells
Clinical trials suggest that compounds found in cloves could aid in the fight against cancer cells. Among these compounds is the aforementioned eugenol. Eugenol is apparently very effective in accelerating the death of cancer cells. Scientists are hopeful for more encouraging results on research on the use of clove and its compounds in cancer treatment.
4. Powerful anti-microbial properties
Cloves have always been known as a powerful antimicrobial agent. This means that it hinders the growth of parasitic bacteria in food. Some of the microbial strains that Clove is effective against include E. coli and Salmonella. Notably, both of these are incredibly common causes of food poisoning and dysentery.
5. Cloves play an important role in oral health
Clove oil and whole cloves are staples in any Indian home. The pungent, fragrant oil has been used as a salve for a wide variety of oral problems. From halitosis (bad breath) to bleeding gums, from alleviating root canal pain to effective cleaning of one’s teeth, cloves play an important role in oral health.
6. Can help in regulating blood sugar and blood pressure
Nigericin, a compound found in cloves, helps in the regulation of blood sugar. Both cloves and nigericin not only assist in the uptake of sugar from the blood into the cells, but also significantly improve the secretion and tolerance of insulin. Insulin is the hormone responsible for breaking down sugar and maintaining an ideal blood glucose level.
Cloves are a wonderful, versatile ingredient. Not only does it impart flavour and aroma to food, but as explained in this post, it also has a plethora of health benefits. We at Chenab Gourmet are proud of our Isvaari brand of whole cloves. Do check our shopping page to find out more.
