The Unexpected Health Advantages of Cloves You Most Likely Were Aware Of

Cloves, the small, dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, are a popular spice known for their intense aroma and strong, pungent flavor. They are often associated with rich holiday baking or the warming fragrance of mulled wine, but cloves offer much more than just a delicious addition to your culinary repertoire. From promoting digestive health to providing powerful antioxidant benefits, cloves have an impressive array of hidden health benefits that may surprise you.

Here’s an in-depth look at the commonly overlooked health advantages of cloves that you likely never knew existed.

1. A Natural Painkiller
One of the best-known advantages of cloves is their analgesic effect, which is due to eugenol, a chemical that is present in high quantities in clove oil. Eugenol is known to have analgesic properties, which is why clove oil is commonly used for toothaches, headaches, and muscle aches.

For toothaches, clove oil is commonly used in dentistry because it has the power to numb the pain and reduce inflammation in the infected area. Placing a few drops of clove oil on the sore spot can temporarily alleviate the pain, thus making it a natural over-the-counter painkiller.

2. Promotes Digestive Health
Cloves have been employed in traditional medicine for centuries to alleviate digestive issues, such as bloating, indigestion, and nausea. They stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes, facilitating the improvement of gastrointestinal motility and alleviation of discomfort from indigestion.

Furthermore, cloves can also fight intestinal parasites because they have anti-parasitic effects. Research has proven that cloves, when used on a daily basis, will aid the digestive system in staying healthy by enhancing nutrient absorption and alleviating indigestion symptoms.

3. Highly Active Antioxidants
Cloves contain high levels of antioxidants, which play a crucial role in neutralizing harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals are known to be the causative agents of oxidative stress, which is implicated in causing chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

The combined amount of antioxidants present in cloves—i.e., eugenol, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds—is helpful in the battle against free radicals in the body, inhibiting the process of aging, and increasing general immunity. Under regular consumption, cloves are capable of boosting your body’s resistance to oxidative damage and keeping your body in a prime state.

4. Fights Infections
Cloves have been shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity, rendering them effective against most bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Clove oil, in particular, has been studied for its effectiveness against a wide range of pathogens, including foodborne pathogenic bacteria.

Cloves can prevent infections by inhibiting the growth of harmful microorganisms and by being an immune system stimulant for your body. Topically or as a nutrient, cloves can keep you healthy by enhancing your body’s natural defense mechanisms.

5. Keeps Oral Health
Cloves have been utilized for centuries in oral care. Cloves’ antibacterial property is lethal to disease-causing bacteria in the mouth, and thus they are incorporated into oral care products like toothpaste and mouthwash. Clove oil has been found to fight effectively bacteria that cause plaque, cavities, and gum disease.

In addition to combatting bacterial growth, cloves also aid in removing bad breath by eliminating odor-producing molecules in the mouth. To incorporate natural dental hygiene, you can use a diluted clove oil solution mouth wash or merely chew raw cloves to keep your breath fresh and your teeth and gums healthy.

6. Enhances Liver Health
The liver cleanses the body and breaks down harmful substances. Research shows that cloves play a protective role with regard to liver function due to their antioxidant properties, particularly eugenol. Tests have proven that cloves reduce liver toxicity and enhance liver cell regeneration.

While additional research is needed to understand fully the extent of the impact of cloves on liver function, initial research indicates that cloves hold promise in detoxifying the liver and in the prevention of liver damage due to exposure to toxins or alcohol consumption.

7. Regulates Blood Sugar
For diabetics or those who are at risk of developing the disease, cloves can be an excellent addition to your diet. Studies have established that cloves can regulate blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity.

In a study, individuals who took clove extract experienced notable decreases in blood glucose levels postprandially. Cloves can also increase insulin secretion, allowing the body to better metabolize glucose and keep blood sugar levels in check. This makes cloves a useful spice for individuals who want to prevent or manage diabetes naturally.

8. Enhances Immune Function
Cloves are a potent immune-boosting spice. Cloves contain vitamins and minerals that are known to boost immunity like vitamin C, vitamin A, and manganese. These nutrients help the body’s defense mechanism ward off prevalent diseases like colds, flu, and infections.

The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of cloves make them an excellent dietary addition to help support overall immune function. Daily consumption of cloves can help reduce the incidence of illness and increase your body’s ability to combat infection.

9. Supports Weight Management
Cloves can also aid in weight loss by stimulating metabolism and encouraging fat burning. Certain studies have indicated that the active ingredients found in cloves, especially eugenol, enhance the metabolic rate of the body, enabling you to burn extra calories during the day.

Furthermore, cloves can potentially regulate appetite by triggering the secretion of digestive enzymes that digest food more effectively, resulting in better digestion and less craving. Adding cloves to your diet, together with a healthy lifestyle, could be part of a more successful weight management program.

10. Improves Skin Health
The benefits of cloves extend to skin health as well. Due to their antibacterial and antifungal properties, cloves can help treat skin conditions like acne and eczema. The antioxidants in cloves also protect the skin from signs of aging by reducing the damage caused by free radicals.

Clove oil can be applied topically to acne-prone skin to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. However, be sure to dilute the oil before applying it to your skin to avoid irritation. Consuming cloves can also promote clear, youthful-looking skin from the inside out by supporting your body’s overall health.

Conclusion
Cloves are more than a sweet-smelling spice—they are a nutritional powerhouse. From the maintenance of oral health and enhanced digestion to enhanced immunity and even possible weight loss assistance, cloves have established their value as a helpful addition to your diet.