Clove ( Syzygium aromaticum ), a spice derived from the dried flower buds of a tree native to Indonesia, has long been valued for its culinary and medicinal properties. Beyond its distinctive flavor and aroma, cloves offer a range of potential health benefits, including support for weight loss, blood sugar regulation, and overall well-being. This article explores the potential benefits of cloves, particularly in relation to weight loss, while also considering its nutritional value, potential uses, side effects, and precautions.
Aromatic Origins and Global Significance
Cloves, known by various names such as "Laung," "Lavang," and "Laumg" in Hindi, hold cultural significance as a symbol of dignity and a valuable spice. Commonly used in garam masala, salads, pickles, and biryanis, cloves are primarily produced in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Madagascar.
Nutritional Profile of Cloves
Cloves offer a range of essential nutrients. Per 100g, cloves provide:
- Carbohydrates: 61.21 g
- Protein: 5.98 g
- Fat: 20.07 g
- Energy: 323 kcal
- Fiber: 34.2 g
- Calcium: 646 mg
- Iron: 8.68 mg
- Potassium: 1102 mg
- Phosphorus: 105 mg
- Magnesium: 264 mg
- Sodium: 243 mg
- Copper: 0.347 mg
- Zinc: 1.09 mg
- Selenium: 5.9 mcg
- Manganese: 30.033 mg
- Vitamin C: 80.8 mg
- Riboflavin: 0.267 mg
- Thiamine: 0.115 mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.590 mg
- Niacin: 1.458 mg
- Vitamin A: 530 IU
- Vitamin E: 8.52 mg
- Vitamin K: 141.8 mcg
- Fatty acids, total saturated: 5.438 g
- Fatty acids, total monounsaturated: 1.471 g
- Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated: 7.088 g
Cloves are a source of manganese, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are rich in antioxidants, compounds that reduce oxidative stress and may contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Clove also contains eugenol, a compound shown to act as a natural antioxidant.
Potential Health Benefits of Cloves
While research is ongoing, cloves have demonstrated potential benefits in several areas:
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Antimicrobial Properties
Cloves possess antimicrobial properties that can help stop the growth of microorganisms like bacteria. Lab trials have shown clove's bacteria-killing activity against foodborne pathogens like E. coli, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus. Clove oil has also been found effective against Staphylococcus species and Aspergillus niger (fungi).
Liver Protection
Clove extract has shown liver-protective activity in animal models, restoring the activity of liver enzymes. Clove consumption may help protect the liver from free radicals that damage cells and can lead to cirrhosis, potentially reducing the chances of liver cancer.
Anti-Inflammatory Action
Clove oil (eugenol) may help clear respiratory passages and act as an expectorant for managing upper-respiratory diseases like bronchitis, cough, cold, asthma, and sinus conditions. Cloves contain flavonoids like β-caryophyllene, kaempferol, and rhamnetin that may contribute to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Antioxidant Powerhouse
Cloves and eugenol exhibit strong antioxidant properties. Clove has a high capacity to reduce lipid peroxidation and give off hydrogen. Clove bud extract may be used as a food antioxidant. Clove has a higher content of polyphenols and other antioxidant compounds.
Pain Relief
Clove oil has been widely used as an analgesic agent in dental clinics to relieve toothache. It may suppress inflammatory mediators and prostaglandin and suppress the sensory receptors responsible for signaling pain.
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Digestive Aid
Clove oil helps deal with bloating and gas and may be an effective remedy for stomach-related conditions like motion sickness, nausea, hiccups, and vomiting. Cloves have been shown to relieve indigestion and reduce gas. Clove extract shows it likely enhances mucus production of the stomach lining, which counters ulcer discomfort. Clove oil helps stimulate the production of digestive enzymes.
Brain Health
Clove oil is believed to stimulate the circulatory system, which might help manage insomnia, anxiety, memory loss, depression, fatigue, and mental exhaustion. Clove oil was tested for managing depression in an animal model and was found to be helpful as it showed an anti-depressant effect.
Anticancer Potential
Due to clove's antioxidant activity, it is thought to have an anti-cancer effect. It was found to have anti-cancer activity against the skin, lungs, and digestive cancers. The anti-tumour action may be due to the presence of oleanic acid. Also, it has been reported to show anti-cancer activity against colorectal, breast, and leukemia cancer cells.
Blood Sugar Regulation
The compounds found in cloves may help keep blood sugar under control. People with and without prediabetes who took 250 mg of clove extract daily for 30 days showed significantly less blood glucose after meals. Nigricin, a compound found in cloves, was 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 in mice. Cloves might be helpful in managing blood sugar levels. Clove extract acts like the hormone insulin, which controls blood sugar levels.
Bone Health
Animal research suggests that eugenol may help improve bone mass. Cloves contain manganese, which is involved in the formation of bone and is incredibly important to bone health.
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Cloves and Weight Loss: Exploring the Connection
Cloves may aid in weight loss through several mechanisms:
Boosting Metabolism
Cloves are known to expedite weight loss and are also popular for being the powerhouse of nutrients. It contains eugenol, which has been shown to increase metabolic rate. A faster metabolism can potentially lead to increased calorie burning and weight loss.
Promoting Digestion
Cloves help promote digestion by increasing metabolism. Cloves stimulate the production of digestive enzymes. Proper digestion is essential for efficient nutrient absorption and preventing bloating and discomfort that can contribute to weight gain.
Regulating Blood Sugar
Cloves have compounds that regulate blood sugar levels. By stabilising blood sugar levels, clove water can reduce hunger pangs and prevent insulin resistance, which is often linked to weight gain.
Enhancing Fat Burning
Some studies suggest that cloves can increase the body's ability to break down fat and improve fat metabolism.
It’s important to note that no single ingredient alone can lead to weight loss. A healthy diet combined with regular exercise is necessary for successful and sustainable weight loss results.
Ways to Incorporate Cloves into Your Diet
Cloves can be used in various forms:
- Whole spice
- Powder
- Oil
These can be incorporated into several dental products like toothpaste, dental creams, throat sprays, and mouthwashes.
Here are some ways to include cloves in your diet:
- Add a pinch of ground cloves to chai latte or green tea.
- Use cloves to flavor meats or desserts like gingerbread cookies or pumpkin pie.
- Simmer whole cloves in boiling water for 5-10 minutes to make clove tea.
Potential Side Effects and Precautions
While cloves offer potential benefits, it's crucial to be aware of potential side effects and take necessary precautions:
- Smoking clove cigarettes can cause haemorrhagic pulmonary oedema, bronchitis, pneumonia, occupational allergic contact dermatitis, and central nervous system depression.
- Clove oil used in low doses may have side effects like rare allergic reactions, local irritation, and contact dermatitis.
- Eating or exposure to a large amount can cause tissue injury and a syndrome of acute onset of seizures, damage to the liver and kidneys, and coma.
- Clove oil in higher doses is a cytotoxin and causes severe acute kidney or liver injury. Therefore, please take precautions before giving cloves to children.
- There is insufficient data for clove consumption during breastfeeding and pregnancy.
- Cloves may increase the risk of bleeding or enhance the effects of warfarin therapy.
Interactions with Other Drugs
Clove may increase the risk of bleeding or enhance the effects of warfarin therapy. If you are taking medicines for any disease, talk to your doctor about the possible interactions of medication with other herbs and drugs.