{"id":6899,"date":"2023-06-10T19:12:47","date_gmt":"2023-06-10T19:12:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fitolympia.com\/?p=6899"},"modified":"2023-06-10T19:12:48","modified_gmt":"2023-06-10T19:12:48","slug":"8-surprising-health-benefits-of-cloves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fitolympia.com\/na\/8-surprising-health-benefits-of-cloves\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Surprising Health Benefits of Cloves"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cloves are the flower buds of the clove tree, an evergreen also known as\u00a0Syzygium aromaticum<\/em>\u00a0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Found in both whole and ground forms, this versatile spice can be used to season pot roasts, add flavor to hot beverages, and bring spicy warmth to cookies and cakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may know cloves as one of the main ingredients in gingerbread baked goods or a staple spice in Indian cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cloves are best known as a sweet and aromatic spice, but they have also been used in traditional medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, animal studies have found that the compounds in cloves may have several health benefits, including supporting liver health and helping stabilize blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article reviews 8 of the most impressive health benefits of eating cloves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cloves<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.\u00a0Here\u2019s our process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Contain important nutrients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cloves contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals, so using whole or ground cloves to add flavor to your food can provide some important nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One teaspoon (2 grams) of ground cloves contains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Calories:<\/strong> 6<\/li>
  • Carbs:<\/strong> 1 gram<\/li>
  • Fiber:<\/strong> 1 gram<\/li>
  • Manganese:<\/strong> 55% of the Daily Value (DV)<\/li>
  • Vitamin K:<\/strong> 2% of the DV<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Manganese\u00a0is an essential mineral for maintaining brain function and building strong bones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Apart from being a rich source of manganese, cloves are only used in small amounts and do not provide significant amounts of nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    SUMMARY<\/strong><\/p>

    Cloves are low in calories but a rich source of manganese. They\u2019re otherwise an insignificant source of nutrients.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    2. High in antioxidants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In addition to containing several important vitamins and minerals, cloves are rich in antioxidants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Antioxidants are compounds that reduce\u00a0oxidative stress, which can contribute to the development of chronic disease .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cloves also contain a compound called eugenol, which has been shown to act as a natural antioxidant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In fact, a test-tube study found that eugenol stopped oxidative damage caused by free radicals five times more effectively than vitamin E, another potent antioxidant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Including cloves in your diet along with other\u00a0antioxidant-rich foods\u00a0can help improve your overall health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    SUMMARY<\/strong><\/p>

    Cloves are high in antioxidants, including eugenol, which can help reduce oxidative stress.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    3. May help protect against cancer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Some research suggests that the compounds found in cloves might help protect against cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One test-tube study found that clove extract helped stop the growth of tumors and promoted cell death in cancer cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Another test-tube study observed similar results, showing that concentrated amounts of clove oil caused cell death in 80% of esophageal cancer cells .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The eugenol found in cloves has also been shown to have anticancer properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A test-tube study found that eugenol promoted cell death in cervical cancer cells .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, keep in mind that these test-tube studies used very concentrated amounts of clove extract, clove oil, and eugenol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Eugenol is toxic in high amounts and overdosing on clove oil may cause liver damage, especially in children. Further research is needed to determine how lower amounts may affect humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    SUMMARY<\/strong><\/p>

    Test-tube studies show that the compounds in cloves may reduce cancer cell growth and promote cancer cell death. More research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    4. Can kill bacteria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Cloves have been shown to have antimicrobial properties, meaning they can help stop the growth of microorganisms like bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One test-tube study showed that clove essential oil killed three common types of bacteria, including\u00a0E. coli<\/em>, which is a strain of bacteria that can cause food poisoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What\u2019s more, the antibacterial properties of cloves could even help promote\u00a0oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Another study in 40 people tested the effects of an herbal mouthwash consisting of\u00a0tea tree oil, cloves, and basil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In combination with regular brushing and proper oral hygiene, the antibacterial effects of cloves may benefit your oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    SUMMARY<\/strong><\/p>

    Studies show that cloves may promote oral health, thanks to their antimicrobial properties, which may help kill harmful bacteria.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    5. May improve liver health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Studies show that the beneficial compounds in cloves could help promote liver health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The compound eugenol may be especially beneficial for the liver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One animal study fed rats with\u00a0fatty liver disease\u00a0mixtures containing either clove oil or eugenol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Both mixtures improved liver function, reduced inflammation, and decreased oxidative stress .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Another animal study showed that the eugenol found in cloves helped reverse signs of\u00a0liver cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Unfortunately, research on the liver-protecting effects of cloves and eugenol in humans is limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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\u2019s often a marker of liver disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cloves are also high in antioxidants, which may help prevent liver disease due to their ability to help decrease oxidative stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Nevertheless, eugenol is toxic in high amounts. One case study in a 2-year-old boy showed that 5\u201310 mL of clove oil caused serious liver damage .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    SUMMARY<\/strong><\/p>

    Some studies show that cloves and the compounds they contain may help reduce oxidative stress and protect the liver.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    6. May help regulate blood sugar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Research shows that the compounds found in cloves may help\u00a0keep blood sugar under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    An animal study found that clove extract helped moderate blood sugar increases in mice with diabetes .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Insulin\u00a0is 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In combination with a balanced diet, cloves could help keep your blood sugar levels in check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    SUMMARY<\/strong><\/p>

    Test-tube and animal studies have shown that the compounds in cloves may help promote insulin production and lower blood sugar.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    7. May promote bone health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Low bone mass is a condition that affects an estimated 43 million older adults in the United States alone<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It can lead to the development of\u00a0osteoporosis, which may increase the risk of breaks and fractures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some of the compounds in cloves have been shown to help preserve bone mass in animal studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, an animal study found that clove extract high in eugenol improved several markers of osteoporosis and increased bone density and strength .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cloves are also rich in manganese, providing an impressive 30% of the DV in just 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of ground cloves .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Manganese is a mineral that\u2019s involved in the formation of bone and incredibly important to\u00a0bone health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    An animal study found that taking manganese supplements for 12 weeks increased bone mineral density and bone growth .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    SUMMARY<\/strong><\/p>

    Animal studies show that clove extract and manganese may help increase bone mineral density. More research is needed to confirm these effects.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    8. May reduce stomach ulcers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Some research indicates that the compounds found in cloves could help treat\u00a0stomach ulcers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Also known as peptic ulcers, stomach ulcers are painful sores that form in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    They\u2019re most commonly caused by reductions in the protective lining of the stomach, which are due to factors like stress, infection, and genetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In one animal study, essential oil from cloves was shown to increase the production of gastric mucus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Gastric mucus functions as a barrier and helps prevent erosion of the stomach lining from digestive acids .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Another animal study found that clove extract helped treat stomach ulcers and exhibited effects similar to those of several anti-ulcer medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Though the anti-ulcer effects of cloves and their compounds may be promising, further studies are needed on their effects in humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    SUMMARY<\/strong><\/p>

    Some animal studies show that clove extract and clove oil may increase the production of gastric mucus and help protect against stomach ulcers. More research in humans is needed.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    The bottom line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Cloves have many potential health benefits, including keeping blood sugar in check and helping block the growth of bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As with many healthy foods, they\u2019re most effective when included as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Try integrating a few servings of cloves per week into your meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can easily incorporate ground cloves into many dishes. They\u2019ll bring a warm, distinctive flavor to desserts, curries, or chutneys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can also simmer whole cloves in boiling water for 5\u201310 minutes to make a soothing cup of clove tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cloves are delicious and may provide many important health benefits.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Cloves are the flower buds of the clove tree, an evergreen also known as\u00a0Syzygium aromaticum\u00a0. Found in both whole and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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