Nature has bestowed upon us several edible things in the form of fruits and flowers. One such amazing thing we have right there on the top of our spice list is a clove. So, what are cloves?  Cloves are nothing but the dried flowers of the clove tree. It is a popular spice in India, that can be used both in a ground and whole form. Reading about the surprising Clove benefits, you will find it irresistible to stay away from this aromatic spice. Eating cloves every day can help improve your immunity, bone health, blood sugar levels, oral health, and liver functioning as well.
Let us acquaint you with the various health benefits of cloves along with some common cloves side effects.
Cloves Nutrients
Before we proceed with the benefits of eating cloves, why don’t you see the nutrients found in a clove? Here is a list of clove nutrients:
- Carbohydrates
- Manganese
- Potassium
- Fibre
- Vitamin K
- Beta-Carotene
- Eugenol
 10 Incredible Health Benefits of Cloves
Here is a complete list of 10 incredible clove benefits for your reference:
1. Helps Reduce Inflammation
The prime benefit of eating cloves is that it helps to reduce inflammation. It is loaded with a compound called eugenol that helps to reduce inflammation in the body.Â
2. Helps Fight Free Radicals
As we said, cloves are rich in a compound called eugenol, which is an antioxidant. Thus, eating cloves help to fight against free radicals in the body. By eliminating the free radicals, cloves help to minimize the risk of many diseases. Moreover, it prevents aging.
3. Eat Clove for Cough Relief
Amongst other top cloves uses we have its use as an ancient remedy to treat common cold and cough. Drinking clove water early in the morning on an empty stomach helps to relieve the common cold and cough.
4. Enhances the Liver Functioning
The list of health benefits of cloves doesn’t end here. Cloves are a superfood for your liver. The same eugenol compound which we talked about earlier helps to reduce the chances of fatty liver disease and liver cirrhosis. Cloves are miraculous in enhancing liver functioning.
5. Helps Repair Bones
Being rich in manganese, cloves are also found very effective to improve bone health. Eating cloves every day in a moderate amount helps to prevent the chances of osteoporosis. Moreover, cloves also help repair damaged bones and tissues too.Â
6. Prevents the Risk of Cancer
When talking about cloves benefits, we have to also tell you about their cancer-fighting properties. Some essential compounds found in cloves help to deter the growth of cancerous cells in the body. Cloves help to minimize the chances of cervical cancer, bone cancer, and liver cancer.
7. Clove is a Perfect Remedy for Treating Ulcers
Clove is a miraculous spice available to mankind that helps to treat stomach ulcers. Cloves are powerful in thickening the mucus layers of the stomach to prevent the chances of ulcer development. Moreover, if you eat cloves daily, you can treat your existing ulcers too.Â
8. Clove is a Powerful Bacteria Killer Spice
Being rich in anti-bacterial properties, cloves are tremendous when it comes to killing bad bacteria in the body. Using clove essential oil helps to kill the most common types of bacteria that lead to food poisoning. It is, therefore, often used as a prime ingredient in some herbal oral products.Â
9. May Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
Some recent research revealed the effectiveness of cloves in regulating blood sugar levels too. Cloves contain a compound called nigericin, which helps to lower blood sugar levels by producing more insulin in the body.Â
10. Cloves Help ease Toothache
Want an instant relief from an aching tooth? Try eating a clove or apply a drop of clove oil to ease your toothache without visiting a dental clinic. The natural anti-inflammatory properties found in cloves help to reduce toothache and swelling in the area.Â
Cloves Side Effects
Now that you have learned about the benefits of eating cloves daily, we feel it is equally important to understand some side effects of eating cloves.
- Clove essential oil is rich in eugenol oil, which may lead to essential oil toxicity in some people
- Eating cloves may lower the blood sugar levels in diabetic people leading to a condition called Hypoglycemia
- The presence of eugenol in cloves may lead to serious drug interactions, especially if you are consuming a blood thinner medicine
The Bottom Line
Cloves form an integral part of every Indian kitchen. They are used in curries and teas for that aromatic flavor. The best part about cloves is that with flavor, they also enhance our immunity. Do incorporate this flavorful spice in most of your dishes to extract the above-mentioned health benefits.
FAQs
What diseases can cloves cure?
Cloves possess antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, cloves are beneficial to treat mouth ulcers, sore gums, and toothaches. Besides, clove oil help treat other respiratory ailments such as asthma, sinusitis, common cold, and bronchitis.Â
Can you eat a clove?
Yes, you can eat the whole clove without any worries. Eating cloves daily will offer you a plethora of health benefits. It is good for your bones, blood sugar levels, and oral health. Cloves may also prevent cancer.Â
What are the health benefits of drinking clove water?
You can extract all the health benefits of clove by drinking clove water. When you drink clove water early in the morning on an empty stomach you can boost your immunity and get more power to fight against common infections such as cold and flu.Â
How many cloves can I eat a day?
Cloves are a hot spice, so do not consume more than 2 cloves in a day. The best time to eat a raw clove is in the early morning with warm water or by drinking clove water. It will help to boost your immunity.Â
Can I chew cloves raw?
Yes, you can chew raw cloves and it will give you a spicy taste. Consuming up to 2 cloves a day in the morning will help you increase your bone density and improve your joint health as well. Moreover, you will get a better immunity to fight against different infections.Â