There is an array of spices that, apart from being flavourful, have exceptional health-benefitting properties. Among these, clove stands out as an incredible one, loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory traits.
According to experts, chewing a clove every morning regularly can leave you with some amazing health benefits.
Also known as laung, this commonly used spice has been highly valued for its medicinal qualities for ages. Being a staple in Indian kitchens, cloves are valued for their warm and aromatic flavour. And they have a broad range of health benefits as well.
What happens when you chew a clove every morning?
Help improve liver health
Studies say clove extract, which gets released when you chew it raw, improves liver damage caused by the toxic substance thioacetamide. It has a compound, eugenol, which is especially beneficial for your liver.
Strengthens immunity
Cloves have an important bioactive component known as eugenol, found in abundance in clove oil. This potent essential oil also contains antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal qualities, which safeguard your body from harmful pathogens and keep infections at bay.
Studies also say that clove extracts can increase the white blood cell count, thereby helping strengthen your immunity levels.
Regulates blood sugar
Chewing a clove every morning keeps your blood sugar under control. Studies say those with prediabetes, who chewed a single clove pod for 30 days, showed significantly less blood glucose after meals.
According to experts, nigricin – a compound found in cloves – helps increase the uptake of sugar from the blood into cells, increases the secretion of insulin, and improves the function of cells that produce insulin.
Supports digestion
Chewing cloves regularly also helps support the digestion process by triggering the production of digestive enzymes in your mouth and intestines. Doctors say it happens due to the presence of eugenol, which contains carminative traits. This helps relieve gas, bloating, and indigestion.
Apart from these, cloves are also beneficial in healing gastric issues, reducing peptic ulcers, and improving gut health.
Strengthens bones
Millions across the world suffer from low bone mass, which ultimately leads to osteoporosis, which increases the risk of breaks and fractures. According to studies, eugenol improves bone mass. Also, manganese in cloves is involved in the formation of bone and is incredibly important to bone health.
Other ways to take cloves
If you find chewing a clove pod to be extremely strong on your palate, you can also use it as:
Spray
Mix 10-15 drops per ounce of water and drink it
Dental
Dab a cotton ball into the topical mixture and apply it to a sore tooth, taking care not to touch your gums.
Add to the milk
Have warm milk with clove powder to ease a cough and clear congestion.