10 Health Benefits of Nutmeg

 

A toasty, nutty flavor can be added to both savory and sweet foods by using nutmeg. This spice may be beneficial for people who have high blood sugar or heart problems.

Although entire seeds are available, ground spices are the most common form of sale for it.

It tastes toasty and slightly nutty, and you may find it in curries, sweets, and drinks like tea.

Despite being used more for flavor than health, nutmeg has a surprising number of potent chemicals that can both prevent disease and improve general health.

The Myristica fragrans tree produces the seeds used to make nutmeg. Most nutmeg in the world is produced in Indonesia. Around the world, the spice is used to flavor a wide variety of savory and sweet foods.

It is offered for sale as whole seeds or as ground.  It is also common to find nutmeg butter and nutmeg essential oil.  

Health Benefits:

Antioxidants, which are abundant in nutmeg, help ward off the symptoms of aging as well as dangerous diseases including cancer, heart disease, and liver disease.

Additionally, nutmeg may offer additional health benefits like:

1-Contain Powerful Antioxidants:

Despite their small size, nutmeg's source seeds are packed with plant components that function as antioxidants in your body.

Antioxidants are substances that shield your cells from the harm that free radicals can do. These compounds are unstable and reactive because they have an unpaired electron.

Oxidative stress happens when your body's free radical levels rise too high. It is linked to the start and development of numerous chronic illnesses, including cardiac and neurological problems, some types of cancer.

Free radicals are neutralized by antioxidants, which keep your levels of free radicals in line and prevent cellular damage.

Antioxidants abound in nutmeg, including phenolic substances like protocatechuic, ferulic, and caffeic acids, plant pigments like cyanidins, and essential oils like phenylpropanoids and terpenes.

2-Anti-inflammatory Properties:

Numerous harmful health disorders, including diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease, are associated with chronic inflammation.

Monoterpenes, or anti-inflammatory substances, are abundant in nutmeg and include pinene, terpineol, and sabinene. These could aid people with inflammatory diseases and help lower inflammation in the body.

Furthermore, the spice's broad range of antioxidants, including phenolic chemicals and cyanidins, have potent anti-inflammatory qualities.

In one study, rats were given an inflammatory solution via injection, and afterward, some of them received nutmeg oil. Rats that ingested the oil showed notable decreases in joint swelling, inflammation, and discomfort associated with inflammation.

By blocking the enzymes that cause inflammation, nutmeg is supposed to lessen it.

To find out how it reduces inflammation in people, more research is necessary.

The anti-inflammatory chemicals found in nutmeg may help lessen inflammation in the body. Many diseases, including heart disease, arthritis, and some types of cancer, are linked to chronic inflammation. Including nutmeg in your diet could help maintain a healthy level of inflammation.

3-Has Antimicrobial Properties:

It has been demonstrated that nutmeg possesses antibacterial properties against potentially dangerous bacterial strains.

Gum disease and dental cavities can be brought on by bacteria such as Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Streptococcus mutans.

Nutmeg extract showed potent antibacterial properties against this and other bacteria, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, in a test-tube research. Gum irritation and cavities are known to be caused by certain microorganisms.

Additionally, it has been discovered that nutmeg prevents the formation of dangerous forms of E. coli bacteria, such as O157, which can inflict serious disease or even kill humans.

Although nutmeg's antibacterial qualities are evident, further research on people is required to ascertain whether nutmeg may treat bacterial infections or shield humans from oral health problems caused by bacteria.

4-Has Nutrients That Help Control Blood Pressure:

The minerals magnesium and calcium found in nutmeg are crucial for controlling blood pressure.

There is a dearth of human studies on the relationship between nutmeg consumption and blood pressure. It is very improbable that nutmeg alone will affect your blood pressure; instead, it is more crucial to pay attention to your whole eating habits.

But in addition to other interventions, adding spices like nutmeg to food and cutting back on sodium may help lower blood pressure.

5-May Improve Cardiac Health: 

excessive-dose nutmeg supplements have been shown in animal tests to lower heart disease risk factors such as excessive triglycerides and cholesterol. despite a deficiency in human research.

6-Might Improve Mood:

Studies on rodents have shown that nutmeg extract significantly reduced depression in rats and mice. Research is required to ascertain whether nutmeg extract has similar impact on people.

7-Better Sleep:

Sleep length and quality have been demonstrated to be improved by a small amount of nutmeg. Higher caliber human research is yet required to confirm this effect.

Traditionally, nutmeg has been utilized as a natural sleep aid. Myristicin, a substance found in it, may have calming effects and aid in relaxation. Before going to bed, try adding a pinch of nutmeg to some warm milk or herbal tea to help you sleep better.

8-Dental Health:

Nutmeg's antimicrobial qualities could help promote better dental health.Numerous dental goods contain nutmeg oil. It can lessen the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath by assisting in the fight against common oral bacteria.

Also Read: 8 Home Remedies for a Toothache

9-Might Enhance Blood Sugar Regulation:

High-dose nutmeg extract treatment lowered blood sugar levels in rats, according to a study, and improved.

10-Pain Relief: 

Eugenol, myristicin, and elemicin are among the chemicals found in nutmeg that have analgesic qualities. These substances can reduce pain, including joint, tooth, and muscle aches. When administered topically, nutmeg oil helps relieve regional pain.

Side Effects:

When handled properly and consumed orally, nutmeg is possibly safe. One spice that's frequently used in meals is nutmeg.

When consumed orally in quantities greater than those found in food and for extended periods, nutmeg may not be safe. Hallucinations and other mental adverse effects have been related to long-term usage of nutmeg at doses of 120 mg or more per day. Larger amounts of nutmeg have been known to cause agitation, hallucinations, nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, and irregular heartbeats. There have also been fatal adverse effects.

There isn't enough trustworthy information out there to determine whether applying nutmeg topically is safe or what potential negative effects there might be.