Nutmeg has been around for many years now, and it is being used for several purposes ever since then. Nutmeg is used by many Nigerians in cooking various delicacies. The scientific name of nutmeg is Myristica fragrans. Although, nutmeg is used for its flavour, there are so many health benefits of nutmeg, which you will learn about in this article.
Some of the properties found in this ancient spice include Copper, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Calcium, Manganese, Niacin, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, among others.
However, did you know that this same spice is capable of boosting blood circulation, reducing the appearance of pimples & dark spots, preventing heart attack?
These and more are what you are about to discover in this article.
7 Proven Health Benefits of Nutmeg
1. Improves Oral Health and Treats Bad Breath
When you eat, there are high tendencies that some food particles will remain therein, and this helps in attracting bacteria to that region. Once there are excess bacteria there, you may begin to experience a toothache, which may further result in tooth decay coupled with an offensive odour (halitosis).
Other common causes of gum disease include – smoking, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies.
That being said, are you faced with bad breath and you are looking for a perfect natural remedy? Nutmeg might really help you in this regard.
To start with, nutmeg contains some potent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which helps in improving oral health. It blocks the activity of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacteria that triggers periodontist is while also inhibiting tooth decay-causing bacteria called “Streptococcus mutans”. [1]
In addition to the above, nutmeg also contains methanol extract and Macelignan, both of which are proven to be effective in blocking the activity of bacteria responsible for the cavity.
Similarly, a research work published in the Food and Nutrition Research journal 2016 reveals that topical application of nutmeg is capable of relieving toothache, cavities, bleeding gums, among other oral problems.
The seed is also said to be great in boosting the overall immunity of both the gums and teeth, which is one of the key reasons why nutmeg extracts are used in preparing some kinds of toothpaste and mouthwashes.
To protect your teeth using nutmeg, all you need do is to mix a little amount of oregano oil with nutmeg powder, brush your teeth with it, and then repeat it as much as you can each week. Apart from that, you can also prepare mouthwash by mixing nutmeg oil and lukewarm water together.
2. Regulates Blood Pressure and Circulation
Blood flow is not what you can just handle with levity as it has a direct influence on the functioning of your heart, brain and other vital organs of the body.
Thankfully, nutmeg contains a significant amount of minerals, including calcium, potassium, manganese, and iron – all of which plays a major role in regulating blood pressure and stimulating the adequate flow of blood in the body.
To be specific, the calcium in nutmeg does not just promote adequate blood flow but also help in circulating signals from the brain to the other body parts, muscles development, the release of hormones, promotes strong bone, ease the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Again, the potassium content of nutmeg is one of the key minerals that your body relies on majorly, to function optimally. This same mineral also helps in balancing out the negative effects of salt in the body, which in turn reduces blood pressure by a significant margin.
In addition to the above, it will please you to know that the manganese in nutmeg helps in regulating the level of sugar in the human blood and reducing the occurrence of diabetes and other related diseases, while the iron content also improves blood circulation by stimulating blood transportation throughout the body. [2]
3. Reduces the Risk of Cancer
Multiple studies reveal that the essential oil of nutmeg exhibits some antioxidant effects when ingested, making it a great food for reducing the risk of cancer. The oil is said to contain potent free radical scavenging activity and can even be used as an ingredient in anti-cancer drugs. [3]
In addition to the above, it was discovered that nutmeg is capable of preventing or treating colon cancer as it helps in reducing intestinal tumorigenesis in the body.
A study published in the “Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine” in 2012 also made it known that nutmeg is beneficial for cancer due to the fact that it inhibits the formation of blood vessels that feed tumours. [4]
4. Relieves Pain and Discomfort
There are myriads of factors that may trigger inflammation in humans, but if not well handled it might result in adverse health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. However, the great news is that nutmeg can help relieve such pain and discomfort.
Nutmeg contains a good amount of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, including myristicin, elemicin, sabinene, terpineol, pinene, safrole, and eugenol – all of which are severally proven to be effective in easing pain and discomfort.
Apart from the above, nutmeg is also said to be great for relieving headaches, easing pain associated with injuries and wounds, swells, joint pain, muscle spasms, sores, and the likes. [5]
5. Improves Digestion
There are numerous ways Nutmeg can be of benefit to your digestive tract.
To start with, nutmeg is rich in fibre, which aids digestion by stimulates the peristaltic contraction of the intestinal smooth muscles. It can also promote the adequate secretion of digestive enzymes and intestinal juices, and this could in turn help treat certain digestive conditions.
Additionally, nutmeg is an excellent source of essential oils, which exhibits a carminative effect on the digestive system and treats digestion-related diseases like nausea, diarrhoea, frequency constipation, indigestion, vomiting, bloating among others.
6. Lowers LDL Cholesterol Levels
The body consists of two major lipoproteins- low-density lipoproteins [LDL] and high-density lipoproteins [HDL]. The latter, HDL is very good for the body, but if you have too much of “bad” LDL cholesterol in your body, it may lead to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries, which may further trigger serious health conditions like coronary artery disease, angina (chest pain), heart attack, among others. Some of the reasons your body may accumulate excess LDL include – unhealthy diet, overweight, lack of physical activity, Cigarette smoking, Genetics, Certain medicines, etc.
On the plus side, nutmeg is one of the foods that may help reduce LDL cholesterol levels in your body. This is because it contains some important minerals, including manganese and the likes – which multiple studies reveal to be great for regulating the levels of cholesterol.
7. Detoxifies the Liver and Kidney
The liver and kidney are one of the vital organs of the body, and any toxic substances [from foods, environmental pollution, medication, etc.] can damage these organs to a significant extent or even expose them to chronic diseases. This is one of the reasons why you should always detoxify your liver, especially using natural products.
However, if you are looking for a natural way to clear toxic substances from your liver and kidney, nutmeg is a great option for you. It does thorough cleansing when ingested, and thus shielding the liver and kidney from certain diseases.
Other Health Benefits of Nutmeg:
- May reduce anxiety [6]
- Promotes healthy skin and combat acne
- Serves as a natural cure for sleeplessness and insomnia
- Reduces pigmentation, blemishes, pimples & dark spots
- Prevents neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease
Bottom Line
Nutmeg is not just a mere spice; it is packed with a lot of essential properties and provides the body with myriads of benefits, including improved oral health, adequate blood circulation, reduced risk of cancer, excellent digestion, balanced cholesterol levels.
Having considered the above benefits, we hereby recommend that you start consuming a moderate amount of this spice henceforth.
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