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In addition to their blood pressure-lowering properties, cloves offer a range of other health benefits. Here are just a few: Anti-inflammatory: Cloves have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the body and alleviate symptoms of conditions such as arthritis. Antioxidant-rich: Cloves are packed with ...
Oct 22, 2023 · You might include ground cloves in spice mixes and whole cloves in recipes to add depth and flavor to a wide variety of foods. ... the eugenol in cloves can help lower blood glucose to safe levels.
- Overview
- 1. Contain important nutrients
- 2. High in antioxidants
- 3. May help protect against cancer
- 4. Can kill bacteria
- 5. May improve liver health
- 6. May help regulate blood sugar
- 7. May promote bone health
- 8. May reduce stomach ulcers
- The bottom line
Cloves are a versatile spice that add flavor while also providing health benefits. They are high in antioxidants, may help regulate blood sugar, can kill bacteria, and more.
Cloves are the flower buds of the clove tree, an evergreen also known as Syzygium aromaticum (1).
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.
You may know cloves as one of the main ingredients in gingerbread baked goods or a staple spice in Indian cuisine.
Cloves are best known as a sweet and aromatic spice, but they have also been used in traditional medicine.
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 (2, 3).
Cloves contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals, so using whole or ground cloves to add flavor to your food can provide some important nutrients.
One teaspoon (2 grams) of ground cloves contains (4):
•Calories: 6
•Carbs: 1 gram
•Fiber: 1 gram
•Manganese: 55% of the Daily Value (DV)
In addition to containing several important vitamins and minerals, cloves are rich in antioxidants (7).
Antioxidants are compounds that reduce oxidative stress, which can contribute to the development of chronic disease (8).
Cloves also contain a compound called eugenol, which has been shown to act as a natural antioxidant.
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 (9).
Including cloves in your diet along with other antioxidant-rich foods can help improve your overall health.
SUMMARY
Some research suggests that the compounds found in cloves might help protect against cancer.
One test-tube study found that clove extract helped stop the growth of tumors and promoted cell death in cancer cells (10).
Another test-tube study observed similar results, showing that concentrated amounts of clove oil caused cell death in 80% of esophageal cancer cells (11).
The eugenol found in cloves has also been shown to have anticancer properties.
A test-tube study found that eugenol promoted cell death in cervical cancer cells (12).
However, keep in mind that these test-tube studies used very concentrated amounts of clove extract, clove oil, and eugenol.
Cloves have been shown to have antimicrobial properties, meaning they can help stop the growth of microorganisms like bacteria (14).
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 (15).
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 (16).
Another study in 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 (17).
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 with fatty liver disease mixtures containing either clove oil or eugenol.
Both mixtures improved liver function, reduced inflammation, and decreased oxidative stress (18).
Another animal study showed that the eugenol found in cloves helped reverse signs of liver cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver (2).
Unfortunately, research on the liver-protecting effects of cloves and eugenol in humans is limited.
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 (3).
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 (23).
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.
Low bone mass is a condition that affects an estimated 43 million older adults in the United States alone (24).
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 (25).
Cloves are also rich in manganese, providing an impressive 55% of the DV in just 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of ground cloves (4).
Manganese is a mineral that’s involved in the formation of bone and incredibly important to bone health.
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 esophagus.
They’re most commonly caused by reductions in the protective lining of the stomach, which are due to factors like stress, infection, and genetics (27).
In one animal study, essential oil from cloves was shown to increase the production of gastric mucus (28).
Gastric mucus functions as a barrier and helps prevent erosion of the stomach lining from digestive acids (29).
Another animal study found that clove extract helped treat stomach ulcers and exhibited effects similar to those of several anti-ulcer medications (30).
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 flavor to desserts, curries, or chutneys.
You can also simmer whole cloves 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.
Shop for cloves online.
Jul 28, 2023 · "For a spice, cloves have an impressive amount of fiber," says dietitian Amy Gorin, RDN. "One teaspoon of cloves provides close to a gram of fiber." 2. Cloves can help regulate blood sugar levels.
- Tehrene Firman
- 7 min
- Ease dental pain and prevent gum disease. One study suggests that an herbal mouthwash made with cloves, basil and tea tree oil can reduce bacteria in your mouth.
- Lower blood sugar. One non-human study suggests that eugenol in cloves may lower blood sugar levels. But taking clove supplements when you have diabetes could be dangerous.
- Protect against cancer. Several laboratory (test tube) studies suggest that clove oil, clove extract and, specifically, eugenol may have cancer-fighting properties.
- Relieve itchy skin. One study found that clove oil worked better than petroleum jelly and a placebo at soothing itchy skin. But some people experience burning and skin irritation after applying clove oil or clove oil products directly to their skin.
Nov 18, 2021 · Turns out, dialing up the spices in your food can also help keep your BP in check. According to a September 2021 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who ate more herbs and spices—in particular, cinnamon, turmeric and oregano—recorded lower blood pressure readings 24 hours later.
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Feb 14, 2024 · Cloves are the nail-like, dried, unopened flower buds of an evergreen tree native to Indonesia and India. The word "cloves" comes from the Latin "clavus," which translates to “nail”. Because of their strong fragrance and intense flavor, cloves are typically used as a spice in various dishes and drinks. You may have tasted cloves in mulled ...
