Cloves are simply the dried flowers of the clove tree. This plant is native to the Spice Islands near China. Clove plants were widely consumed in Europe and Asia during the late Middle Ages as an important part of local cuisine.
Cloves can be used whole or ground. People often include ground cloves in spice mixes and whole cloves in recipes to add depth and flavour to a wide variety of foods. These small dark brown pods are used to spice up curries, season meats, enrich sauces even flavour spiced baked goods. They also provide some impressive health benefits.
If you are wondering what these health benefits are, see the list below.
1. Supplies the body with beta-carotene
Cloves are a great source of beta-carotene, which helps give them their rich brown colour. The carotene family of pigments are important antioxidants and provitamins. Carotene pigments can convert into vitamin A, an important nutrient for keeping your eyes healthy.
2. Reduces inflammation
Cloves include multiple compounds that are linked to anti-inflammatory properties. Eugenol is the most important of these compounds. Eugenol has been shown to reduce the inflammatory response in the body, reducing the risk of diseases such as arthritis and helping to manage symptoms.
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3. Fewer free radicals
Eugenol is also a potent antioxidant. Cloves are full of antioxidants. These compounds help your body to fight free radicals, which damage your cells and can lead to disease. By removing free radicals from your system, the antioxidants can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
4. Reduced Ulcers
Cloves can help protect your stomach from ulcers. Most ulcers are caused by thinning in the layers of mucus that protect your stomach lining. Preliminary studies show that cloves can thicken this mucus, lowering your risk of developing ulcers and helping existing ulcers heal.
5. Improved Liver Function
This plant may also promote better liver function. Some trials have shown that the eugenol found in cloves can help reduce signs of liver cirrhosis and fatty liver disease. It may also improve general liver function.
Now that you know the health benefits of this spice, do well to add it to your tea or season your meat the next time you find yourself cooking.
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