What has 30 times more antioxidants than blueberries? Are you thinking about a crazy vegetable or some other kind of exotic fruit?
That's not it. It is about an undervalued spice: the clove. You may know it by name, but do you often use cloves in your food or drink?
What is Clove?
Have you ever looked closely at a clove? Then you might be able to guess what a clove actually is. It is the unopened, dried flower of the clove tree. This tree grows in a tropical maritime climate. So unfortunately not suitable for your backyard.
The buds of the tree must be picked before they grow into flowers. The timing of picking is very important. After that, the buds are dried and turn brown
Cloves are widely used in spiced biscuits, stews and mulled wine. You never eat the clove itself. That's not good at all. The cloves give off a strong, spicy and peppery flavour.
What does clove do for your health?
What can these little brown buttons mean for you and your health?
Rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants are fantastic. You can read about that in the blog 'Antioxidants: What are they and why does your body need them?' . You can find them in fruit and vegetables, nuts, our matcha and in herbs. Herbs and spices even contain a lot of antioxidants. Cloves are even number 1 in the list of products with a lot of antioxidants! Yes, you read that right.
For example, the antioxidants in cloves help protect against free radicals, reducing the risk of cancer.
Good for strong bones
You want to keep strong bones for as long as possible. So that you can continue to do everything and so that you do not break bones so quickly later in life. Cloves can help with that. It contains a compound called eugenol that can relieve bone wear and tear and benefit bone density.
Another substance is manganese. This is a kind of mineral. The mineral is very important for bone formation. And while most of the studies on bone and cloves have been done in mice, there's every indication that we as humans can also benefit from this effect.
Good for your gums
You may not have expected this effect. But cloves help against two bacteria that are not good for your gums. Research has been done on the effect of mouthwash consisting of tea, cloves and basil. Participants had healthier gums and less plaque after three weeks. The dentist will love that!
Healthy gums are not only important for your teeth. Severe gingivitis is often associated with cardiovascular disease. The inflammation, stress and bacteria can therefore have very unpleasant consequences.
Helps regulate blood sugar
The blood sugar level (blood glucose) is the amount of glucose in the blood at any given time. That fluctuates when you eat. When you have eaten something, the blood sugar in your blood rises. But your body balances that out. This no longer happens in someone with diabetes.
Research with mice showed that cloves can lead to lower blood sugar levels. Insulin secretion also increased. Insulin is responsible for transporting blood sugar to other sheets. This process must go well for a stable blood sugar level.
3 hot drinks with cloves
Winter tea with cloves
Fancy a spicy cup of tea? Then try this mix. You need:
- 1 orange
- 4 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 tea bags
Cut a piece of peel from the orange and squeeze the orange. Store the juice separately. Add the zest, cloves and cinnamon stick to a saucepan. Pour 750 milliliters of water into the pan and bring to the boil. Let it cook gently for 15 minutes. Then turn off the heat and hang two tea bags in the water. Let this steep for another 3 minutes. Remove the bags from the tea and add the juice. Your tea is ready!
Spicy chai matcha
Do you like a little spice and warmth when it's cold outside. Then mix the spicy chai with your favorite kind of milk. That is something different than a mug of chocolate milk and a lot healthier. You can also add Spicy Chai Matcha to smoothies, yogurt, fruit juice, muesli and oatmeal.
Alternative to mulled wine
Prefer no alcohol, but all the flavor? Then try these drinks. You need:
- 350 grams of fresh cranberries
- 2 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cloves
- Peel of orange
- Zest of lemon
Put all the ingredients in a large pan and add a liter of water. Let this cook until all the cranberries have popped open. Turn off the heat, but leave the pan for a while. Then you can drink it hot or cold.
Small warning: Cloves can enhance the effect of blood thinners. Are you planning to consume more cloves and are you taking blood thinners? Please contact your doctor first.
