Cloves are a versatile herb with a sweet taste and a distinctive aroma.
Cloves are usually used as a marinade for the grill, adding flavor to warm drinks, to reinforcing the aroma of the cake.
But apparently, the nutritional content in the clove is also beneficial to the health of the body. What are the benefits of cloves that we can get?
One teaspoon of clove (2 grams) contains energy of 21 calories, 1 gram of carbohydrate, and 1 gram of fiber. One teaspoon of cloves is also able to meet 30% manganese kebutugan, 4% vitamin K, and 3% vitamin C of the daily needs of the body.
Cloves also contain calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E, although the amount is small.
Various vitamins and essential minerals that support the benefits of cloves for the health of our bodies.
Benefits of Cloves for Body Health:
1. Protect from cancer
Cloves are enriched with antioxidant eugenol to fight free radicals in the body that can trigger cancer development.
Cloves also contain vitamin C as an antioxidant to help neutralize free radicals.
The strength of antioxidants in cloves is even reportedly five times more effective than vitamin E and other types of antioxidants.
The accumulation of free radicals in the body can damage the DNA code and cause oxidative stress that triggers various chronic diseases.
Starting from arthritis, heart disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, hypertension, peptic ulcers, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cancer, to causing aging.
2. Kill disease-causing bacteria
Cloves have antibacterial properties that are able to stop the infection. A study showed that essential oils of cloves effectively kill E. coli bacteria that can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, to fatigue.
Cloves also help maintain oral health by stopping the growth of two types of bacteria that cause dental plaque and gum disease (gingivitis).
If you do not want to chew the cloves, use a mouthwash containing clove extract to get this one benefit.
3. Improving liver health
Not only protect the body from cancer, eugenol in cloves can help improve liver health.
An animal study conducted on rats reported that clove oil can improve liver function and reduce inflammation.
Other studies have shown that eugenol helps relieve symptoms of liver cirrhosis. Taking eugenol supplements for one week lowers GST levels, an enzyme that is often a sign of liver disease.
However, keep in mind that eugenol may turn to toxic to the liver if taken in high doses. One case study showed that 5-10 ml of clove oil in children can cause serious liver damage.
4. Maintain bone health
Bone loss may increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. Well, a study reported that active compounds in cloves proved to help maintain and increase bone mass density.
The content of manganese in cloves also helps the process of bone formation, and is very important for bone health.
5. Treating heartburn
The ulcer disease is most often caused by the depletion of the stomach mucus that is affected by various factors, such as stress and infection.
Animal studies have shown that essential oils of cloves can increase the production of gastric mucus that serves as a barrier to the effects of gastric acid, while preventing erosion of the stomach wall due to acid reflux.
6. Controlling blood sugar levels
Research shows that the compounds found in cloves can help control blood sugar.
Another study looked at the effects of clove extract and nigericin, a compound found in cloves, both in human muscle cells and in mice with diabetes.
Cloves and nigericin are found to increase the absorption of sugars from blood to cells, increase insulin secretion and improve the function of cells that produce insulin.
Insulin is the hormone responsible for transferring sugar from blood to cells. In combination with a balanced diet, the benefits of cloves can help keep blood sugar levels.
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