Cloves are a multipurpose spice that contributes flavour as well as health advantages. They are high in antioxidants, can destroy bacteria, and have other benefits.
Cloves are the flower buds of the evergreen clove tree, Syzygium aromaticum.
This versatile spice, available in both whole and ground forms, can be used to season pot roasts, flavour hot beverages, and lend spicy warmth to cookies and cakes.
Cloves are well-known as a key ingredient in gingerbread baked items and a traditional spice in Indian cuisine.
Cloves are most commonly associated with sweet and aromatic spices, but they have also been employed in ancient medicine.
According to animal studies, the chemicals in cloves may have a variety of health benefits, including boosting liver health and helping to stabilise blood sugar levels.
This post will go over the top eight health benefits of eating cloves.
1. Contain important nutrients: Cloves contain fibre, vitamins, and minerals, so using whole or ground cloves to add flavour to your food can provide some important nutrients.
One teaspoon (2 grams) of ground cloves contains Calories: 6, Carbs: 1 gram, Fiber: 1 gram, Manganese: 55% of the Daily Value (DV) and Vitamin K: 2% of the DV,
Manganese is an essential mineral for maintaining brain function and building strong bones.
Apart from being a rich source of manganese, cloves are only used in small amounts and do not provide significant amounts of nutrients.
2. High in antioxidants: In addition to containing several important vitamins and minerals, cloves are rich in antioxidants.
Antioxidants are compounds that reduce oxidative stress, which can contribute to the development of chronic disease.
Cloves also contain a compound called eugenol, which has been shown to act as a natural antioxidant.
A test-tube study found that eugenol stopped oxidative damage caused by free radicals five times more effectively than vitamin E, another potent antioxidant.
Including cloves in your diet, along with other antioxidant-rich foods, can help improve your overall health.
3. It may help protect against cancer: According to some research, the chemicals present in cloves may help protect against cancer.
One test-tube investigation discovered that clove
Another test-tube investigation found that concentrated quantities of clove oil caused cell death in 80% of the oesophageal extract. Clove eugenol has also been demonstrated to have anti-cancer effects.
In a test-tube investigation, eugenol was discovered to cause cell death in cervical cancer cells.
Keep in mind, however, that these test-tube investigations used extremely concentrated concentrations of clove extract, clove oil, and eugenol, which inhibited tumour growth and accelerated cell death in cancer cells.
Eugenol is toxic in high doses, and using too much clove oil can cause liver damage, especially in children. More research is required to establish how lower levels may harm humans.
4. Can kill bacteria: Cloves have been shown to have antimicrobial properties, meaning they can help stop the growth of microorganisms like bacteria.
One test-tube study showed that clove essential oil killed three common types of bacteria, including E. coli, which is a strain of bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
What’s more, the antibacterial properties of cloves could even help promote oral health.
In one test-tube study, the compounds extracted from cloves were found to stop the growth of two types of bacteria that contribute to gum disease.
Another study of 40 people tested the effects of an herbal mouthwash consisting of tea tree oil, cloves, and basil.
After using the herbal mouthwash for 21 days, they showed improvements in gum health as well as the amount of plaque and bacteria in the mouth.
In combination with regular brushing and proper oral hygiene, the antibacterial effects of cloves may benefit your oral health.
5. May improve liver health: Studies show that the beneficial compounds in cloves could help promote liver health.
The compound eugenol may be especially beneficial for the liver.
One animal study fed rats fatty liver disease mixtures containing either clove oil or eugenol.
Both mixtures improved liver function, reduced inflammation, and decreased oxidative stress.
Another animal study showed that the eugenol found in cloves helped reverse signs of liver cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver.
Unfortunately, research on the liver-protecting effects of cloves and eugenol in humans is limited.
However, one small study found that taking eugenol supplements for 1 week decreased levels of glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), a family of enzymes involved in detoxification that’s often a marker of liver disease.
Cloves are also high in antioxidants, which may help prevent liver disease due to their ability to help decrease oxidative stress.
Nevertheless, eugenol is toxic in high amounts. One case study in a 2-year-old boy showed that 5–10 mL of clove oil caused serious liver damage.
6. May help regulate blood sugar: Research shows that the compounds found in cloves may help keep blood sugar under control.
An animal study found that clove extract helped moderate blood sugar increases in mice with diabetes.
Another test-tube and animal study looked at the effects of clove extract and nigericin, a compound found in cloves, both on human muscle cells and in mice with diabetes.
Cloves and nigericin were found to increase the uptake of sugar from the blood into cells, increase the secretion of insulin, and improve the function of cells that produce insulin.
Insulin is a hormone responsible for transporting sugar from your blood into your cells. The proper functioning of insulin is essential for maintaining steady blood sugar levels.
In combination with a balanced diet, cloves could help keep your blood sugar levels in check.
7. May promote bone health: Low bone mass is a condition that affects an estimated 43 million older adults in the United States alone.
It can lead to the development of osteoporosis, which may increase the risk of breaks and fractures.
Some of the compounds in cloves have been shown to help preserve bone mass in animal studies.
For example, an animal study found that clove extract high in eugenol improved several markers of osteoporosis and increased bone density and strength.
Cloves are also rich in manganese, providing an impressive 55% of the DV in just 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of ground cloves.
Manganese is a mineral that’s involved in the formation of bones and is credibly important to bone health.
An animal study found that taking manganese supplements for 12 weeks increased bone mineral density and bone growth.
However, current research on the effects of cloves on bone mass is mostly limited to animal and test-tube studies. More research is needed to determine how it may affect bone formation in humans.
8. May reduce stomach ulcers: Some research indicates that the compounds found in cloves could help treat stomach ulcers.
Also known as peptic ulcers, stomach ulcers are painful sores that form in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or oesophagus.
They’re most commonly caused by reductions in the protective lining of the stomach, which are due to factors like stress, infection, and genetics.
In one animal study, essential oil from cloves was shown to increase the production of gastric mucus
Gastric mucus functions as a barrier and helps prevent erosion of the stomach lining from digestive acids.
Another animal study found that clove extract helped treat stomach ulcers and exhibited effects similar to those of several anti-ulcer medications.
Though the anti-ulcer effects of cloves and their compounds may be promising, further studies are needed on their effects on humans.
Conclusion
Cloves have many potential health benefits, including keeping blood sugar in check and helping block the growth of bacteria.
As with many healthy foods, they’re most effective when included as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Try integrating a few servings of cloves per week into your meals. You can easily incorporate ground cloves into many dishes. They’ll bring a warm, distinctive flavour to desserts, curries, or chutneys.
You can also simmer it in boiling water for 5–10 minutes to make a soothing cup of clove tea.
Cloves are delicious and may provide many important health benefits.
