Cloves have been a culinary miracle, used for their ability to add freshness, warmth, and a hint of sweetness to different kinds of foods and drinks since time immemorial. Dating back to 200 BCE when the Chinese used cloves to perfume the breath, they have been constantly studied over the years. Over time, they have proven to be more than an aromatic spice and have earned the reputation of being medicinally and nutritionally rich.
The health benefits of cloves result from their vitamin and mineral-rich composition. In the subsequent sections, the various benefits of cloves and their use have been elaborated to help you incorporate them into your diet and cooking to maximise their benefits.
What are Some Nutritional Benefits of Cloves?
A single teaspoon of cloves can offer you 0.7 grams of fibre, 0.27 grams of fats, 1.38 grams of carbohydrates, 0.13 grams of protein, and around 6 kilocalories. When ground, the same quantity of cloves can provide 1.26 mg of manganese, which helps regulate hormone secretion and the production of enzymes responsible for bone repair.
Cloves are also rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins K, E, and B6, potassium, and folate, supplementing various bodily functions. While vitamin K regulates bone health and the production of proteins that promote blood clotting, vitamin E plays a crucial role in regulating immunity, skin health, and eye health. Further, vitamin B6 is associated with a healthy nervous system.
The optimal amounts of potassium your body receives through clove intake can help balance fluid levels in your cells and support muscle contraction to maintain healthy blood pressure. Likewise, folate is a critical vitamin responsible for red blood formation and the healthy growth and functioning of the cells.
Beta-carotene in cloves bestows antioxidant properties on it, which help guard your body against free radical damage, known to cause various illnesses through oxidative stress. The oil derived from clove, known as eugenol, is known to remediate toothache and give foods a subtle yet pleasant flavour.
5 Important Health Benefits of Cloves
Cloves are preferred among numerous spices in various cultures and countries primarily because of their health benefits. With that said, here’s what cloves are good for-
Oral Health Benefits
With several major toothpaste brands adding clove oil as one of the active ingredients in their toothpaste, it is evident that clove has oral health benefits. Further, studies have shown that clove oil has anti-bacterial properties and can help prevent gum diseases, improve poor breath, and reduce tooth pain.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Clove comprises anti-inflammatory agents, such as eugenol, which can help improve the symptoms of arthritis. Therefore, using clove oil as a topical treatment or consuming cloves regularly can offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
Anti-Cancer Properties
Clove consists of certain bioactive components that can potentially be used as a therapeutic agent against cancer. Several studies indicate that clove works by curbing the growth of tumours and promoting the death of cancerous cells.
Digestive Health Benefits
A common Ayurvedic remedy for better digestion, adding cloves to your food can effectively regulate your gut health. It can ease certain symptoms of digestive discomforts, such as nausea, vomiting, and gas, by relaxing the gut lining.
Immune System Boost
The wonder spice can guard against infections with its antiviral, anti-bacterial, and antiseptic properties. Additionally, vitamin E and other antioxidants in cloves help boost your immunity and prepare your body to fight foreign agents that might cause certain diseases.
Different ways to Consume Cloves
Clove is a versatile therapeutic spice that can be easily added to a variety of foods and drinks. If you wonder how to eat cloves, incorporating them into cooking can be done in several ways. You can grind 2 to 3 clove buds and mix them in the batter for baked goods, which adds warmth to your muffins and pies and delivers all its health benefits.
You can add cloves to your smoothie before blending it to elevate its flavour and nutritional value. And if you like your smoothie spice-free, you can never go wrong with adding a couple of cloves to your chai tea and enjoying a rich aroma, refreshing flavour, and the many health benefits that come along.
If you like Indian cuisine, you can also occasionally make biryani — an aromatic and spicy rice dish. Since it is a melange of spices, you can derive the health benefit of cloves, cinnamon, saffron, cumin, and anise every time you have this Indian dish.
Cloves can also be directly consumed. However, it may taste bitter, and the flavour may be too intense for some. Irrespective of how you decide to add cloves to your diet, optimal intake is the key to benefitting from clove uses and medicinal properties. Therefore, have 2.5 mg of clove oil per kilogram of body weight or 1 to 2 cloves daily to avoid side effects.
Understand the Risks and Considerations
Like other herbs and spices, cloves should be consumed in moderation. When using clove essential oil, a concentrated form of clove oil (eugenol), it is best to dilute it, as it may have a stinging sensation due to its astringent properties. Eugenol may also be associated with delayed blood clotting, making it undesirable for those with bleeding disorders. It is also best to avoid consuming clove oil or clove in medicinal doses two weeks before surgery.
Since cloves in medicinal doses may also interact with certain medications, such as ibuprofen, warfarin, naproxen, and aspirin, it is best to avoid adding high amounts of clove or clove oil when cooking as you have these medicines. And if you have any health conditions, you should consult a health professional before integrating them into your diet. Further, children and pregnant women should refrain from consuming cloves in medicinal doses.
Clove has been around as a flavour enhancer, medicinal spice, and a fresh-smelling agent for bad breath for many years. It can promote good immunity, help with inflammation, and regulate digestive health. Its documented use has also led to various scientific studies that affirm its multifold health benefits. However, the health benefits of clove are accessible only when you consume them in moderation, so keep the dose in mind and add clove to your food, drinks, and desserts to make your food palatable and healthy.
